| Contents: | Main | See Also: | Getting Started Manual | Advanced User Manual | ||||
Often, VA FileMan's options are accessed through a menu system that calls up the main VA FileMan [DIUSER] from Kernel's menu system if a user has been granted access. However, the main menu can also be displayed directly from the M command prompt. When you call VA FileMan directly, you are using "Programmer mode."
There are four entry points in the DI routine that you can use to enter VA FileMan. Each way of calling up the main menu has a different effect upon the local M variables that are defined when you begin your VA FileMan session. They are described in Table 109:
Table 109: ^DI API—Entry Points
| Entry Point | Description |
|---|---|
| P^DI |
This entry point cleans the symbol table; it KILLs all local variables except those that are required for VA FileMan's operation. (The variables DUZ and DTIME are unchanged.) In addition, the variable DUZ(0) is set equal to the at-sign (@). The at-sign gives you complete Programmer access to all of VA FileMan's files and functionality. NOTE: Included in the variables KILLed are the input/output (IO) variables. |
| Q^DI |
Like P^DI, this entry point sets DUZ(0)="@". However, the remaining variables in the local symbol table are unchanged. |
| C^DI |
Like P^DI, this entry point cleans the symbol table. However, it leaves DUZ(0) unchanged; whatever Access Code string was in DUZ(0) before the call remains to control access within VA FileMan. |
| D^DI |
This entry point leaves all local variables alone. It neither cleans the symbol table nor resets DUZ(0). |
In addition, other necessary variables are set to default values if they are undefined when you start VA FileMan from Programmer mode.
CAUTION: Programmer access in VistA is defined as DUZ(0)="@". It grants the privilege to become a developer in VistA. Programmer access allows you to work outside many of the security controls enforced by VA FileMan, enables access to all VA FileMan files, access to modify data dictionaries, etc. It is important to proceed with caution when having access to the system in this way.
Reviewed/Updated: May 2026