Using the Map-Definition Window

The map-definition window lets you associate an input item with a table column. Figure 86 shows a map-definition window for a load map.

Figure 86. The Map-Definition Window

The map specifies which fields of the data file are loaded into database columns. The data moves from the fields of a data file into the columns of a database.

Using the Table and Format Panes

The map-definition window contains two panes: the Table pane and the Format pane. The window has two panes so that you can take the following actions:

• Scroll the panes to see all of the columns or fields of a long data file or database table.
• Connect an input field to more than one column.

The left column of icons in each pane represents the active elements of the display. These left columns do not change. In a load map, the columns in the Table pane receive the input. In the Format pane, data from the fields moves into the columns of the database table.

The right column of icons in each pane represents the associations that you make. These columns change as you build the map. A field might be listed more than once in the right column of the Table pane because you can store a field from the data file in more than one database column. This field is mapped (with a split arrow) to two columns in the Format pane. A column never appears more than once in the right-hand list of the Format pane because a column can only receive input from one database field.

By scanning the left pane, you can easily see which columns are receiving data from the data file. By scanning the right pane, you can see which fields of the data file are providing data and which fields are not being used.

Using Unassigned or Multiple-Assigned Fields and Columns

The HPL does not require a one-to-one connection between the fields and columns. You can map a field to multiple columns. Figure 90 shows a map where the data from one field is placed into two columns.

You can also have a column that has no mapping association. Field 1 in the Format pane in Figure 88 does not have an association. If a column does not receive input, onpload sets the column to null.

Using Identical Field Names and Column Names

When you create a format, you can assign arbitrary names to the fields of the data file. You might find it convenient to assign names that correspond to the names of the columns in the database. When you create a map, ipload automatically links columns and fields that have the same name and type, thus saving you work.