Identifying the Impact of Database Changes

Changing the database structure or changing the format of individual fields will inevitably affect the running of QA Build applications. The impact analysis utility identifies the effect of database changes. It examines an entire system and reports on discrepancies between the data dictionary and the QA Build programs. The report includes table, screen and field processing but does not include formula processing or totalling.

The errors reported are:

• Mapfields or field processing for fields deleted from the database
• Field length changes
• Different display and true length for validated map fields
• Processing for tables deleted from the database
• Processing for related tables no longer related to main table
• Index record for table processing missing or inactive
• Missing table processing record - indicates a corrupt QAB program
• Processing for fields no longer in tables
• Changes of data type for fields
• Processing more occurrences of a field than exist
• Changes of field scale factor

To run Impact Analysis

1. From the QA Build Utilities menu select Analysis (or Impact prior to 4.620)
2. Select Impact report (or Report prior to 4.620)
3. Select file output
4. View or print out the created file

Corrections

Instead of simply reporting on discrepancies you can use the Corrections option to attempt to make appropriate corrections to the maps used by your program (the utility will not make corrections such as deleting field processing for fields that have been deleted from the database). If you choose to run this option you should also print the report and use it to review the changes made to the map. In some cases further editing of the map may be required.