The SMS Query Menu System for the iSeries MIS written reports Departmental Reports User-written Reports This system was developed because the user interface for Query Manager (QM) is not user-friendly. For the numbers of people that run queries, but not develop them, this was seen as a way to allow them to run the reports they need without having to mess with the interface.

Initial Menu What you see after signing on to the iSeries Choose option 20 This is the menu you’ll see after signing on to the iSeries. The menu system will be accessed by choosing option 20 from this menu.

SMSU Query Menu Option 1 displays the entire list of MIS written reports (queries). Option 2 are MIS written reports whose access are limited to specific areas. Option 3 allows users to work with their own reports (procedures). Option 4 allows users to work with departmental reports (procedures). Option 1 are the queries that are owned by SMSQMF on the mainframe. Some queries have their usage limited to specific areas. These queries will be broken out into their own menus. Option 3 will appear only if users have the procedures file in their library. Option 4 allows users to display a list of authorized departmental libraries.

Run SMS Provided Reports This screen presents a scrollable list of the reports written by MIS. Options available are 1 to select the report for execution and 5 to display the SQL query that produces the report. Tabbing to the “Position to” field and entering the first character(s) will position the list to reports that begin with those character(s) or the closest after. The list can be scrolled (indicated by More… in the lower right corner) by using the Page Up and Page Down keys on the keyboard.

Prompting for Variables Entering a 1 and pressing Enter brings up the prompt screen. This is where the user can enter the selection values that are passed to the report. A list of possible values are displayed for most variables. If a list is displayed, then the value entered must be in the list. Pressing Enter causes the report to be submitted for execution. To place the shortcut on the desktop, make sure the desktop is highlighted and press “OK”. When you return to the desktop, you will then see a new icon with the identifier used as a label for the icon.

Prompting for Variables When the report is submitted, the user is returned to the list screen and a message is displayed at the bottom of the screen. Entering a 5 will display the SQL query that produces the report.

Displaying the Report Query This is the SQL query that runs the report. The first 2 lines are control information used by QM and can be ignored. The majority of users of the report menu probably won’t use this option, but it is provided for the more sophisticated user.

Run SMS Provided Area Reports This option is for areas whose queries should have limited access. Options 1-9 appear only if the user has authority to that particular area. Selecting option 1-9 will result in a list of reports for that area. Select and display are available as for the SMS provided reports. The two areas listed on the panel are suggested area that would appear on this menu. A final decision has not been made on what areas will be listed.

Work with Your Own Reports Menu driven. To perform the action of changing your password, choose option 1. Press enter From the main Query Menu, select option 3 if it appears. Option 3 appears only if the procedures file exists in the user’s library. This options appears even if the file is empty.

Work with Your Own Reports On this screen the user can create a new procedure, edit an existing one, delete one they don’t want, display the procedure, or run the procedure. To create a new procedure, enter a 1 in the option field on the blank line, enter the procedure name under report, and optionally enter the description.

Work with Your Own Reports - Create This is the edit screen where the user enters a new procedure. Enter the procedures commands in the blank line below the line marked “Beginning of data.” Remember the rules for entering procedure commands. Press F3 twice to save and exit. Having to press F3 twice is a idiosyncrasy of the editor.

Work with Your Own Reports - Create The procedure is added as indicated by the message at the bottom of the screen.

Work with Your Own Reports The other options are straight forward. Option 4 presents a confirmation screen to make sure the you want to delete the report. Option 9 – RUN has no prompting for variables. If variables are used in the report, you must add “SET GLOBAL” statements in the procedure to establish their values. Option 2 uses the same editor as option 1.

Work with Departmental Reports Selecting option 4 from the main query menu, brings up this menu. A list of the departmental libraries, you’re authorized to use is displayed. Select the library you want and a list of the procedures in that library is displayed. The options available to you depends on whether you’re allowed to create and change procedures in the library or not. If not, then the only options available are display and run.

SMSU Query Menu Option 5 takes you into standard Query Manager.

The SMS Query Menu System for the iSeries MIS written reports Departmental Reports User-written Reports Time for questions or comments.