An archive request is run in several steps. The steps differ
slightly if you schedule the process to run later, rather than run
the process immediately.
The steps are described in the following paragraphs.
Validate the access definition
Specifications in the access definition are validated
before the process begins. If the access definition is valid, processing
continues. If invalid, processing proceeds as follows:
- For a scheduled archive, the Stop on
Error parameter on the Steps tab
of the Job Details dialog determines whether
processing continues.
- If the process is run immediately, an error message
is displayed and processing stops.
Locate and prompt for archive directory
entry
Any archive directory entry associated
with the archive file name is located. If a directory entry does not
exist, it is created at the successful conclusion of the process.
If the directory entry does exist, processing proceeds as follows:
- For a scheduled process, processing continues. The
existing directory entry is deleted, and a new entry is created at
the successful conclusion of the process.
- If the process is run immediately, a dialog prompts
to confirm deletion of the existing entry. If you choose not to delete
the existing entry, processing stops.
Locate the archive file
The archive file is located, if it exists. If the file
does not exist, it is created. If the file does exist, processing
proceeds as follows:
- For a scheduled process, processing continues. The
file is overwritten.
- If the process is run immediately, a dialog prompts
you to confirm that the data in the file is to be overwritten. Use
a personal option to disable this feature.
Locate the archive index file
The archive index file is located, if it exists. If
the file does not exist and index parameters are specified in the
access definition, it is created. If the file does exist and index
parameters are specified in the access definition, processing proceeds
as follows:
- For a scheduled process, processing continues. The
file is overwritten.
- If the process is run immediately, a dialog prompts
you to confirm that the data in the file is to be overwritten. Use
a personal option to disable this feature.
Validate variables
If
variables are defined in the access definition, they are verified
to ensure that valid values are provided for each variable.
- If valid values are provided, processing continues.
- If invalid values are provided (for example, the
data type, size, or resulting SQL syntax is invalid), processing stops
and errors are recorded in the process report.
- If values are missing or the check box labeled Always
Prompt for Values at Run Time is selected on the Variables tab,
processing proceeds as follows:
- If the process is scheduled, processing stops and
errors are recorded in the process report.
- If the process is run immediately, the Archive
File Variable Values dialog is displayed so that you can
enter values, as required, to continue processing.
Validate point and shoot
If a point and shoot list is specified, it is verified
to ensure that the rows are valid.
- If the rows in the list are valid, processing continues.
- If a list is specified and cannot be found, processing
stops.
- If the rows in a list are invalid, missing, or if
primary key values in the file do not exist in the start table, processing
proceeds as follows:
- For a scheduled process, the Stop on
Error parameter specified on the Steps tab
of the Job Details dialog determines whether
processing continues.
- If the process is run immediately, you are prompted
to continue processing without using the list or to cancel the process.
Archive data
Data
for each table specified in the access definition is copied to the
archive file.
Delete data
The
delete after archive process is completed according to your specifications
for each table listed in the access definition. If the Defer
Delete after Archive option is selected, data is not deleted.
If Review Archive Delete List is selected,
the Delete After Archive Specifications dialog
is displayed.
Delete After Archive Specifications
dialog
Use the Delete After Archive
Specifications dialog to verify or override delete specifications
in the access definition. Select a check box to delete archived rows
in the corresponding table. To select or clear all check boxes at
once, click or use the toolbar buttons or the shortcut
menu.
Cascading Delete/Update Confirmation
dialog
A cascading
delete/update check occurs during processing and the Cascading
Delete/Update Confirmation dialog displayed if the following
conditions are true:
- The Warn on Cascade Delete/Update option
is set to Runtime or Always in product options or personal options.
- At least one table has delete after archive specifications.
- The cascade delete or update affects at least one
table that is not explicitly included in the process.
Click OK to continue
processing, or Cancel to stop processing and
return to the Archive Request Editor.
Archive process report
An archive process report is generated.
- For a scheduled process, the report is saved to
a file. Open and print the process report from the scheduler after
the process completes.
- If the process is run immediately, the Archive
Request Progress dialog displays a status message as rows
of data are archived from each table. The process report displays
automatically when the process completes and is retained according
to defaults set on the Actions tab for personal
options. Review and print the report, as required.