Use the Multiple Files option when you use:
A single application file as input to create a single output application file, and the input file contains multiple record types that need to be processed out of sequence.
Multiple application files as input to create a single output application file, and each input file contains one record type.
A single application file as input to create single/multiple output application files, and the input file contains one record type with specific fields that cause level changes.
ECMap uses two special fields to keep related information grouped together and to alert the program that a level change must take place - Match Field and Key Field.
Parent and child records are linked using the Match Field in the parent record and the Key Field in the child records. When these two fields match, the program knows that the input data being processed should be used together to create an output application file.
When the key field and the match field no longer match, the program knows that all of the information for one output application file has been processed. The program senses a level change that ends the processing of one output application file and begins the processing of a new output application.
When the input is a flat file (sequential file) and:
There are multiple files with one record type per file. The record types are related via key and match fields. When a child record is read and its key field no longer matches the match field of the parent record, the program knows it has the next parent record. The program automatically ends the processing of the current output application file and switches to the first level in a new output application file.
There is one file that has one record type. A change in a specific field (called a break field) in the single record type causes a change in levels. When the program encounters a break field, it automatically ends the processing of the current output application file and switches to the first level in a new output application file.
There is one file that has multiple record types, but the order of the output to be created is different from the order of input records in the file. The program splits the input file into multiple files, with one file per record type, to allow you to define a flow that is not in the same sequence as the input.
When the input is from a database and:
Multiple tables are joined into one view, creating one virtual table that contains all of the record types in the database. When the program encounters a change in a key field, it automatically ends the processing of the current output application file and switches to the first level in a new output application file.
Multiple Select Once commands are performed at the beginning of the map execution (at the I/O Rule on the Master Level.). The sets created by the Select statements are ordered by the same match/key linkage fields and are traversed according to these linkage fields.
Multiple Files option should be unchecked when:
The input is a flat file (sequential file) and there is one file with multiple record types, and the order of the records in the input file corresponds to the sequence of the records in the output file to be created. Each time the record type changes in the input file, the program automatically ends the processing of the current record in the output file and switches to the first level in a new output record.
The input is from a database and the child records for each parent are retrieved by doing a new Select command based on each row of the parent. Levels change based on the presence of rows in the set created by the Select command.
Selecting the multiple
files option
Choose Option>Multiple Files to toggle the multiple files option on and off.
When the multiple files option is selected, a check mark appears next to Multiple Files on the menu.
