The simplified flow diagrams which follow help give an overview of the processing that occurs within the system on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. Some of the symbols used in these diagrams are explained here:
CRT Terminal
At the top of most of the processing flows you will see a CRT entry device symbol, this represents the Online Module.
Data Mapping Definitions
This file is input into most of our jobs and is used to define master files, inputs and online screens. This file itself is updated in batch mode whenever you wish to add a field, change an edit, restructure a screen or in any other way change the instructions to the data mapping facility (DMF).
Detail File
Also known as the suspense file, the Detail file contains all transactions entered into the system, in a 188-character input format. The first 99 bytes consist of the input transactions described in the Inputs chapter. Transactions on the Detail file may be displayed online using standard input screens in Change mode if they have not been applied real-time.
Log File
The Log file contains old and new master file images for updates entered into the system through the Online and Batch Modules. It is the source for a variety of output files that may interface to other systems. Should you ever need information relating to the transactions that were entered on a given day, this file is the one that should be saved and consulted. The choice whether to log a master file is a company option.