File Management - IBM

Chapter 4. Copying files
You can use the copy function to move data between device files, database files, or
both device and database files with the AS/400 field-level sensitive copy function.
This function allows you to rearrange, enlarge, or drop any of the fields. You can
also define database files.
Copying physical or logical files
To copy a physical or logical file (the from-file) on AS/400 into another physical file
(the to-file), which does not yet exist, you can use the CPYF command, as in the
following example:
CPYF FROMFILE(PERSONNEL/PAYROLL)
TOFILE(TESTPAY/PAYROLL) MBROPT(*ADD)
CRTFILE(*YES) ERRLVL(10)
Full service copy support:
A variety of copy commands that are modified by numerous parameters gives you
a great deal of flexibility in the way you copy your data. For instance, you usually
can copy your data into existing files (or to-files). As shown in the example above,
you can use the CRTFILE parameter on the CPYF or CPYFRMQRYF commands to
create the to-file during the copy operation. See “Creating the to-file (CRTFILE
parameter)” on page 82 for details.
See “Copying files: overview” on page 70 to learn about the basic functions relating
to the AS/400 copy commands.
Copy only the information you need:
The copy function lets you specify selected records and members of your files:
v “Adding, replacing, and updating records (MBROPT parameter)” on page 84
v “Selecting members to copy” on page 88
v “Selecting the records to copy” on page 92
Copy across different formats and systems:
v “Copying between different database record formats (FMTOPT parameter)” on
page 106. You can copy from a source file to a data file or from a data file to a
source file. If the from-file or to-file is a device file, this function is automatic. If
both files are database files, you must specify FMTOPT(CVTSRC). If either file is
a device file or inline data file, the FMTOPT parameter does not apply.
v “Copying between different systems” on page 139. This is especially important
for when you are using Data Warehousing, and when you want to use existing
export products from other platforms to move data to the AS/400.
Make the copy function work for your particular needs:
You can accomplish a wide variety of tasks with careful use of the options that are
available to you through the copy function.
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