Interface
between
CA-Endevor and NATURAL/PREDICT
Version 2.2
Die Produkt-Information ist auch in Deutsch verf?bar!
Configuration management and state-of-the-art application development technologies are two major prerequisites for effective information processing. E/NAT, the interface between CA-Endevor on the one hand and NATURAL and PREDICT on the other, allows you to protect your software investments under a consistent user interface with a single tool.
Unlike most other interfaces between configuration management tools and NATURAL/PREDICT, E/NAT provides high security due to its complete integration with the CA-Endevor processors. The information residing in CA-Endevor is always synchronized and correct. It is not necessary to check job logs element by element for problematic return codes. Instead, it is sufficient to monitor a single return code for the entire object transfer: the return code of CA-Endevor. E/NAT can transfer any number of NATURAL objects even between different NATURAL system files with a single active NATURAL copy. Compared to other tools, this provides dramatic performance advantages since the need to start and end NATURAL several times is eliminated.
Illustration 1: The physical connection
E/NAT consumes only few system resources due to the controlled execution of each NATURAL task which needs to be terminated only in exceptional cases and permanently waits for actions to be performed (compare illustration 1). E/NAT can optionally be run in foreground and/or batch mode. Foreground actions deliver a single return code per element which is then directly displayed on the CA-Endevor panel. All NATURAL syntax errors occurring during generation are reliably identified and returned to CA-Endevor. NATURAL elements are recatalogued during the CA-Endevor generate process through the processor. This allows you to identify inconsistencies immediately, thus preventing errors from occurring during the execution of the software elements. This also ensures that the active PREDICT references are automatically maintained.
In order to operate E/NAT only those tables are populated that define the NATURAL environment on the one hand and represent the installation-dependent connection between the CA-Endevor definitions and the NATURAL and PREDICT idiosyncrasies on the other hand. This means simple administration in two respects.
The logical connection is established through transformation tables which can easily be maintained by means of online functions. These tables are:
E/NAT is completely integrated with CA-Endevor. The corresponding CA-Endevor panels have been enhanced to allow direct selection of all NATURAL/PREDICT elements. Special menu branches for E/NAT functions are not required. Users directly decide on each action panel whether they want to act for example on a NATURAL program or on any other element.
Illustration 2: CA-Endevor ADD panel with E/NAT
Of course, E/NAT also supports package processing. It is possible to reset defective NATURAL programs during production if required. During backout E/NAT will also delete all affected programs from the NATURAL buffer pool.
Illustration 3: Selection of NATURAL objects with the ADD function
E/NAT is intelligent. It recognizes automatically the special features of available kinds of source/object codes in NATURAL. E/NAT was developed with the following targets in mind:
Apart from these targets, other functions have been integrated which provide specific advantages for NATURAL users:
In order to simplify the transfer of NATURAL and PREDICT elements into CA-Endevor, a new concept has been introduced: the PATH. The definition of paths eliminates the need to know the correct settings for FUSER, FDIC and NATURAL Library when using the ADD, UPDATE and RETRIEVE functions. Only the path must be specified. In practice it is of great value to the user to be able to uniquely designate the source or target by entering "DEV" or "TEST", for example.
All relevant CA-Endevor functions (including package backout), all NATURAL types and the PREDICT object types (files with all fields and verifications) necessary for creating applications as well as eight more documentation object types are supported.
E/NAT is Year-2000 compliant and helps you in analyzing your own NATURAL software components.
As far as NATURAL is concerned, E/NAT works with high-performance and high-security algorithms. For the administration of PREDICT objects utilities developed by Software AG are used in order to ensure upward compatibility. Deletion of PREDICT objects will be possible (DELETE INPUT SOURCE and DELETE action) as soon as adequate PREDICT APIs are available.
E/NAT supports the execution of any NATURAL commands within processors.
The Generate Action parameters allow to decide which action shall be executed when generating NATURAL objects. You may decide if a CAT, STOW or a CAT & COPY occurs. The CAT & COPY option ensures that the time stamp of a NATURAL source in CA-Endevor and within NATURAL is the same.
Illustration 4: E/NAT TPI Main Menu
For those users who prefer to perform CA-Endevor actions against NATURAL or PREDICT elements from within their TP monitor, the E/NAT TP Interface (TPI) is available. This feature is intended to be used by the application programmers. Within the NATURAL development environment it is possible to execute CA-Endevor actions like ADD, UPDATE or RETRIEVE. This results in full control within the NATURAL environment including the feature that all CA-Endevor execution reports are automatically returned to the TPI user. The E/NAT TPI user will be automatically notified in case of a failed action. E/NAT TPI is an application integrated into the NATURAL environment with the well-known NATURAL look-and-feel.
E/NAT TPI is an integral part of the E/NAT base product.
Illustration 5: E/NAT TPI ADD function
The E/NAT interface requires the following software components:
Notes: If the
system programs of the E/NAT interface are installed in the SYSTEM library, it is not
necessary to have NATURAL Security.
PREDICT is needed to edit DDMs (via files). If you decide not to edit DDMs, the E/NAT
interface can be used without PREDICT.
PREDICT version 3.2 is not supported up to and including SM Level 2.
For further information on E/NAT please contact:
ATLANTISCA's product name is CA-Endevor for MVS NATURAL Interface.
Document number: ENATMVS-PI220-0104-E