Search for a field in the database dictionary

The ability to search the dictionary for a specific field name is particularly useful when dealing with a large database dictionary.

You can search for a field in the database dictionary by using System Definition or by using the Database Dictionary utility. Choose one of the following methods to search for fields.

Search for fields by using System Definition

To search for a field by using System Definition:

1. From the System Navigator, click System Definition > Tables > file_name > Fields

   Note: You can type the first letter of a table name to jump to that alphabetic section. For example, type o to jump to the oncall table. Double-click a table to open it. Double-click the table to open it.

2. Type the first letter(s) of the field you are looking for. The navigator will go to the first field starting with those letters.

   Note: If there is a delay between the letters you type, the Navigator will assume that you want a different search and jump out of the folder to find the matching letters.

Search for fields by using the Database Dictionary utility

Using the Database Dictionary utility when searching for fields enables you do a “contains” search.

To search for a field by using the Database Dictionary utility:

1. Click Tailoring > Database Dictionary, and then open the database dictionary file.

2. From within the database dictionary record you want to search, open the More Actions menu and click Field Search.

   This brings up the Field Search window prompt.

3. Type the field name to search, for example, one.
   • Click Exact match if you are sure that what you entered is a field in the dictionary record.
   • Click Starts with to find all fields starting with the string entered.
   • Click Contains to search for fields containing the string entered anywhere in the field name. (Used in this example.)
   • Click End to cancel the search.

4. If Service Manager finds a match, it responds by giving a message similar to the following: *Field "phone" found: type=character; level=3; index=2.

   The message gives the field type, the level (how many structures down the field where it is located), and the index (location within its parent structure).

   For example, one appears in:

   • A character type field (phone)
   • In the third level structure (alternate.contact)
   • As the second field in the alternate.contact structure.
5. If multiple fields are found by the search, multiple messages are returned, one message for each field found. The message in the above example displays an asterisk (*), indicating it does have additional messages to display.

6. View all messages related to this operation.

   In this example, these messages reveal that one is present in at least two fields in this database dictionary.

   However, since the Contains button was used, the letters are found in their specific order, regardless of where they appear in the field name.

   For an exact match on the word one, you can use the Exact match or Starts with button. (Using these options against this example returns no positive hits using Exact match or Starts with.)