List File Attributes

22.2Meta Data Dictionary

By running ^DDD during VA FileMan installation, it creates the META DATA DICTIONARY (#.9) file. The Meta Data Dictionary lists all fields in all files in a searchable format. The Update the META Data Dictionary [DDU UPDATE META DD] option on the Data Dictionary Utilities [DI DDU] menu runs the same refresh from the menu.

Figure 117 shows the dialogue for running the option to populate the META DATA DICTIONARY (#.9) file. If no file is yet attached to the DDD application group, the entire VA FileMan database is scanned and a central Data Dictionary is compiled.

Select OPTION NAME: DIUSER  VA FileMan

	  VA FileMan Version 22.2

	  Enter or Edit File Entries
	  Print File Entries
	  Search File Entries
	  Modify File Attributes
	  Inquire to File Entries
	  Utility Functions ...
	  Data Dictionary Utilities ...
	  Transfer Entries
	  Other Options ...

Select Data Dictionary Utilities <TEST ACCOUNT> Option: ?

 'Check/Fix DD Structure'     Option name: DI DDUCHK
 'Find Pointers into a File'  Option name: DDU FIND POINTERS INTO A FILE
 'List File Attributes'       Option name: DILIST
 'Map Pointer Relations'      Option name: DI DDMAP
 'Update the META Data Dictionary'  Option name: DDU UPDATE META DD

Select Data Dictionary Utilities <TEST ACCOUNT> Option: UPDATE THE META DATA
DICTIONARY

SINCE NO FILE IS IN APPLICATION GROUP 'DDD', the entire FileMan database will be
scanned, and a Central Data Dictionary will now be compiled.
     OK? No// Y  (Yes)
........................................................
................................................................................
................................................................................
..........

  The dots indicate the system is working.

   List File Attributes
   Map Pointer Relations
   Check/Fix DD Structure
   Find Pointers into a File
   Update the META Data Dictionary

Select Data Dictionary Utilities <TEST ACCOUNT> Option:

Once the Meta Data Dictionary is populated, you can search it with the Inquire to File Entries [DIINQUIRE] option against the META DATA DICTIONARY (#.9) file. Figure 118 shows a typical lookup by field name, ending with the captioned record for the NEW PERSON_NAME entry (file #200, field #.01):

Select OPTION NAME: DIUSER  VA FileMan

	  VA FileMan Version 22.2
	  ...

Select VA FileMan <TEST ACCOUNT> Option: INQUIRE TO FILE ENTRIES

Output from what File: META DATA DICTIONARY// .9  META DATA DICTIONARY
                                              (59188 entries)


  The number shown will vary by site.


Select META DATA DICTIONARY: NAME
	 1  NAME PATIENT_NAME       2,.01
	 2  NAME PATIENT_INSURANCE TYPE_ELIGIBILITY/BENEFIT_NAME      2.322,3.03
	 3  NAME PATIENT_INSURANCE TYPE_ELIGIBILITY/BENEFIT_CONTACT INFORMATION_NAME
		 2.3226,.02
	 4  NAME ERROR MESSAGES_NAME       3.076,.01
	 5  NAME TITLE_NAME       3.1,.01
Press <Enter> to see more, '^' to exit this list, OR
CHOOSE 1-5: 
   ...
   376 NAME    NEW PERSON_NAME      200,.01
   ...
CHOOSE 281-380: 376  NEW PERSON_NAME      200,.01
Another one:
Standard Captioned Output? Yes//   (Yes)
Include COMPUTED fields: (N/Y/R/B): NO// BOTH  Computed Fields and Record
Number (IEN)


NUMBER: 21324                           NAME: NEW PERSON_NAME
  LOOKUP TERM: NAME                     DATA DICTIONARY NUMBER: 200
  FIELD NUMBER: .01
 DESCRIPTION:   Answer must be 3-35 upper-case characters in length, and be in
 the format Family(Last),Given(First) Middle Suffix. Enter '??' for more help.
  Enter only data that is actually part of the person's name. Do not include
 extra titles, identification, flags, local information, etc. Enter the
 person's name in 'LAST,FIRST MIDDLE SUFFIX' format. This value must be 3-35
 characters in length and may contain only uppercase alpha characters, spaces,
 apostrophes, hyphens and one comma. All other characters and parenthetical
 text will be removed.
BUILD(S) (c): XU*8.0*120
			: XU*8.0*135
			: XU*8.0*134
			: XU*8.0*551                TYPE (c): FREE TEXT

Select META DATA DICTIONARY: 

REF: The ^DDD API and its partial-update siblings (FILELIST^DDD, PARTIAL1^DDD, PARTIAL2^DDD) are documented in the "Meta Data Dictionary APIs" section of the "Meta Data Dictionary" chapter of this manual.

Reviewed/Updated: June 2026