VAX DATATRIEVE User's Guide (Ver 3.0)

This "VAX DATATRIEVE User's Guide" (December 1985, VAX DATATRIEVE V3 for VMS and MicroVMS) is a comprehensive manual for the interactive use of the VAX DATATRIEVE software.

The guide is intended for users with some programming background or familiarity with previous DATATRIEVE versions/handbooks. It covers:

1. Understanding DATATRIEVE: Explains fundamental concepts and terminology such as databases (file-structured, VAX Rdb, VAX DBMS), domains, the Common Data Dictionary (CDD), commands, statements, procedures, command files, view domains, tables, and distributed data. It also details basic interactive usage, including starting/ending sessions, logging, and controlling output settings.

2. Manipulating Data: Describes how to write powerful Record Selection Expressions (RSEs) to query, limit, identify, join (using the CROSS clause), and sort data. It also covers methods for entering new data (STORE statements, direct assignments) and modifying existing data (MODIFY statements). The use of View Domains and Hierarchies for complex data structures and relationships is also detailed.

3. Programming in DATATRIEVE: Provides instructions on defining, invoking, and maintaining procedures and command files to automate repetitive tasks and build applications. It also explains how to declare and use local, global, and context variables.

4. Optimizing DATATRIEVE Performance: Offers strategies for restructuring data and designing efficient records and files. This includes choosing optimal file organizations (indexed vs. sequential), selecting primary and alternate keys, using the EDIT/FDL utility to optimize file attributes (like bucket size and global buffers), and formulating optimal queries.

5. Integration with VAX Information Architecture: Details how to use DATATRIEVE with forms products (TDMS and FMS) for enhanced data display and collection, including storing and modifying data via forms. Crucially, it explains how to access, query, store, and maintain data in VAX DBMS and VAX Rdb/VMS databases, including working with database sets and segmented string data types (a new feature in V3.3). Lastly, it covers accessing data located on remote systems via DECnet.

The manual aims to guide users through both fundamental and advanced data management and programming tasks within the VAX DATATRIEVE environment, with a strong emphasis on performance optimization and integration with other VAX data products.