ABSTRACT provides two major cross-referencing functions:

Object references - Objects "used by" a selected object

Object usage – Object "where used"

Object reference and usage information are presented on displays using a hierarchical ‘tree’ approach, similar to other System i Navigator and WebSphere displays. The object relation displays provide you with a true object-action mechanism of working with the various elements of your software applications.

An Object Usage display shows wherever a selected object is used. The example below shows the usage for a physical file named CUSTMAST. There are two primary branches for the CUSTMAST file. The first branch shows all usage within the library list of the user profile that submitted the initialization process, as indicated by the value Lib(*LIBL) in the Extended column. The second branch shows usage only within the APLSAMPLE library, which was the only library actually loaded into the cross-reference during the initialization process.

Object Usage - (click image for larger view)

In addition, "where-used" information may be displayed at different levels:

• Field Where Used displays show where a selected field is used.
• File Group Usage displays show usage information for a physical file and its related logical files.
• Field Group Usage displays, similar to File Group Usage, show usage information for a physical file and its related logical files, only at a more detailed field level.

Object reference displays show the objects used by a selected object. The window below shows the files and fields used by an RPG program named CUSTCOPY. Note that field usage within the program (input/output) is also identified.

Object Relations also includes a standard flowcharting function plus Visio support. Click here for more information on flowcharting functions.

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