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ABSTRACT

ABSTRACT is an integrated set of cross-referencing, documentation, and programming tools for IBM Power Systems running i (System i, AS/400) that help you create, manage, and analyze your software applications.

  • ABSTRACT generates flowcharts in standard and Visio formats.
  • ABSTRACT shows “where-used” information for fields or system objects.
  • ABSTRACT includes plug-ins to WebSphere Development Studio and to the System i Navigator. You can use these plug-ins to edit source code, re-create objects, generate flowcharts, and more.

Everything you need to simplify your System i application development is in one, easy to use package. ABSTRACT builds a “where-used” cross reference of system objects and procedures to track object and field usage and the relationship between objects, and perform file analysis and other reference tasks. It even provides graphical flowcharting to help you easily document and analyze your applications.

Three Interfaces

You can use ABSTRACT with any of its three user interfaces, WebSphere Development Studio, System i Navigator, and 5250 Host (green screen), to:

  • Track object and field usage
  • Determine the relationships between objects
  • Perform file analysis and other important reference information
  • Document and analyze your applications using graphical flowcharting
  • Edit source code, view object usage, re-create file relationships, and more

All versions of ABSTRACT use the same cross-reference database resident on the System i and are included in the license fee.

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Flowcharts

ABSTRACT generates flowcharts in standard and Visio formats.

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Displays "where-used" Information

ABSTRACT shows “where-used” information for fields or system objects.

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ABSTRACT includes plug-ins to WebSphere Development Studio (shown above) and to the System i Navigator. You can use the menus in these plug-ins to edit source code, re-create objects, generate flowcharts, and perform other tasks.

Cross-Reference Database
Contains object relationship information about your applications. This database is easy to maintain using ABSTRACT’s menu options. 

Object Relations
Easily display and interpret different object reference and ‘where-used’ scenarios, based on real-time information and data from the cross-reference files.
 
Flowcharts
Graphical flowcharting for documentation and analysis is standard, including Visio flowcharts.
 
File Analysis
Provides information about database, display, and printer files, including external and internal file layouts, database relations, and member definitions.
 
Recreate Database Relations
After changes are made to a physical file record layout, or programs are modified, this feature re-creates all affected objects.
 
Exception Reports
Find potential problems with your applications or with ABSTRACT cross-reference data.
 
Find String
Search source and message files for one or more strings that you specify.
 
Edit Objects
ABSTRACT interfaces with many third-party editing tools.
 
E-mail (option—add ESEND)
Add ESEND (licensed separately) for report and file distribution using e-mail or FTP. 

ABSTRACT Conversion Utility

The ABSTRACT Conversion Utility (ACU) is an ABSTRACT add-on that handles special RPG development project needs. During conversion, the ACU re-creates physical files and associated logical files while preserving the current data plus file attributes, the physical and logical structure, and journaling. The ACU contains two modules, Impact Analysis and Conversion, and has links to two change management packages for the System i: Aldon Lifecycle Manager from Aldon Computer Group and TurnOver from SoftLanding Systems.

ESEND

Add ESEND to ABSTRACT to automatically e-mail System i spooled files and PC files on the IFS. Use its intuitive, easy-to-use menu options to tailor your e-mail to your requirements:

  • E-mail up 300 attachments per message.
  • Send spooled files to other System i servers or partitions, or convert them to HTML, RTF, TXT, or PDF files for distribution anywhere.
  • Define e-mail and FTP address lists for broadcast deliveries.
  • Send System i file data to remote systems in binary mode.
  • Convert Advanced Function Printing (AFP) files to PDF format and manage Form Overlays.

EASY VIEW

If you're interested in ABSTRACT, be sure to take a look at EASY VIEW on the Help/Systems Web site. EASY VIEW increases your productivity by reducing the need for DFUs and Queries to view or change the contents of database files. EASY VIEW makes it easy to correct database files, add new records, print and change existing records, and delete records. You can view entries from journaled files for hard-to-find update bugs and quickly create test records while EASY VIEW maintains an audit trail of this activity.

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