DELETE-FILE has four formats:
Format
DELETE-FILE filename [(R)] |
Deletes both the dictionary and all its associated data files.
DELETE-FILE DICT filename [(R)] |
Deletes a file dictionary without deleting an associated data file.
DELETE-FILE DATA {filename | dict-name,data-name} [(R)] |
Deletes a data file without deleting its dictionary.
DELETE-FILE M/DICT account-name |
Deletes an account, including all of its dictionaries and associated data files.
Parameter(s)
DICT |
Specifies the file dictionary. |
DATA |
Specifies a data file. |
M/DICT |
Specifies the system dictionary. |
filename |
Name of the file you want to delete. |
account-name |
Name of the account to delete. |
dict-name, data-name |
Full name of the file. Use this format to delete a data file that is one of multiple files associated with a single dictionary. |
R |
Deletes a file from another account (SYS3 privileges required). |
Description
These rules apply when deleting files:
You cannot delete a dictionary file that points to one or more data files.
You cannot use DELETE-FILE to delete Q-pointers in the Master Dictionary that are used as file synonym definitions.
While the DELETE-FILE processor is working, the BREAK key is disabled.
When you delete a file, the DELETE-FILE processor removes the File Definition item from the Master Dictionary and releases all frames allocated for the file.
CAUTION |
Use this command with care. The system does not ask you to confirm the operation before it deletes the file. |
Deleting a Dictionary and Its Data Files
SALES is a dictionary shared by multiple data files. You can delete the dictionary and all its associated data files with a single command:
>DELETE-FILE SALES |
Deleting a Dictionary
This example deletes the dictionary of a file called PAYROLL. The data file must already have been deleted:
>DELETE-FILE DICT PAYROLL |
Deleting a Data File
This example deletes a data file called INVENTORY:
>DELETE-FILE DATA INVENTORY |
The next example deletes the data file INACTIVE, which is associated with the dictionary CUSTOMERS:
>DELETE-FILE DATA CUSTOMERS,INACTIVE |
Deleting an Account
This example deletes an account called ORDERS:
>DELETE-FILE M/DICT ORDERS |