This is an interesting idea. Maybe it could be handled in a way that is
similar to distributed files, if the file meets a few criteria.
Firstly, it would have to have the "M" flag on line 4 in the VOC.
Secondly, it would have to have a structure like SYS.HELP where
/usr/ibm/uv/SYS.HELP is a directory containing the 'part' files
BASIC.HELP
BCI.HELP
CONV.HELP
PICK.HELP
SQL.HELP
SYS.HELP
Thirdly, the individual files would have to have the same dictionaries.
Strictly speaking, this is not necessary as we refer to the whole lot
via the 'enclosing' directory and VOC item (SYS.HELP in the example).
Given that, then treat it much like a standard distributed file - IF the
user has the keyword "SPANNING". The keyword allows the user to
restrict the individual 'part' files used ("SPANNING ALL" means to use
the lot, of course), and also indicates that the default ID to be
returned should be something like BASIC.HELP*DIMENSION or
SYS.HELP*BLOCK.TERM.
The character to use between the ID parts would be defined in the VOC
(obviously not everyone would want an asterisk). Maybe it should
require M* (or M| or M^, etc) on line 4 to do this - the simple lone M
meaning it won't work this way. That allows people who don't want to
use this feature to basically ignore it - the only change they would
actually see is an extra keyword in the VOC.
It seems to me this would be readily achievable in Universe, as it
already handles distributed files. UD should implement distributed
files too. I think UV implemented them to get around the 2GB size
limit, but they are really useful for managing historical data - even if
you're nowhere near any limit.
Regards, Keith
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