touch Command

The touch BASIC program reads and rewrites all items, without changing them, in either specified files or in all files in specified accounts.

The main usage of this command is to force the transaction logger to enqueue for logging all items in files or in accounts, to synchronize databases across a network.

The name of each file displays as it is processed. At the end, the number of files and items processed display.

Syntax

touch {item.list} {(options}

Parameter(s)

item.list	List of elements to process. By default, this is a list of files. Complete path names are processed. With the a option, the specified elements are account names, in which case all files in the specified accounts are processed. NOTE—If an explicit list of elements is not provided, a select list must be used.
options	f	Change specified file. This is the default option.
	a	Select all ’D" files of an account. NOTE—Synonym accounts are not processed.
	l	Log only. This option bypasses the update mechanism, but places all items into the transaction log queue. This makes the touch command much faster and less abusive so long as a true update is not required.
	q	Quiet option suppresses all messages.
	w	Pause once in a while

WARNING

The file-defining items (D-pointers) and binary items are not processed. Due to the amount of data being written, this command can be very intrusive.

Example(s)

Touches all accounts on the systems, except dm.

select mds # ’dm’

touch (a

Touches all items in the customers and inventory files.

touch customers inventory