7.3.1 RDML and RDMLX Partitions Concepts

LANSA uses the partition characteristics to allow you to control the types of objects that are used to create an application.

An RDML Partition supports only LANSA RDML Object Types. All LANSA partitions prior to Version 11 are RDML Partitions.

An existing RDML Partition can be enabled to become an RDMLX Partition as described in 7.3.5 Enable Existing Partitions for RDMLX.

An RDMLX Partition (identified by the Enable for RDMLX option) extends the concept of the RDML Partition so that it supports both LANSA RDML Object Types and LANSA RDMLX Object Types.

• Once a partition has been enabled for RDMLX, all LANSA object development must be completed using the Visual LANSA development environment.

• Once enabled, an RDMLX Partition cannot be changed back to an RDML Partition.

• You may use the Visual LANSA development environment with RDML Partitions.

If applicable, LANSA for i on an IBM i can continue to be the master system. It is the central repository that stores all object definitions and will be used to maintain the LANSA System Definitions and LANSA Partition Definitions. In this case, all LANSA Partitions are maintained from the LANSA for i Housekeeping Menu. (Refer to LANSA Housekeeping in the LANSA for i User Guide.)

All IBM i objects will be exported to other IBM i servers using the LANSA for i environment. Objects are not exported from the Visual LANSA development environment.

A Multilingual Partition is simply a partition that has multiple language support enabled.

Processes are not considered either RDML or RDMLX objects. Processes may contain a mix of RDML Functions and RDMLX Functions.

If you are starting new development with LANSA, it is generally recommended that you begin with an RDMLX Partition.

Following are some general recommendations regarding the creation of new partitions:

When to use an RDMLX Partition

• If you are a new Version 11.0 (or later) LANSA customer, it is strongly recommended that you create all of your partitions as RDMLX enabled so that you can benefit from the full extended features of the LANSA development environment.

• If you are loading other files and require support for RDMLX Field Types, you will need an RDMLX Partition.

• If you are creating applications that require LANSA RDMLX Object Types such as WAMs, you must use an RDMLX Partition.

• Because all RDML objects can be created and used in an RDMLX Partition, most new partitions should be created as RDMLX Partitions.

When to use an RDML Partition

• If you are creating 5250-based applications that are solely developed with LANSA for i (that is, you do not have Visual LANSA), you must use an RDML Partition for your development.

• If you are importing and maintaining a LANSA application created before Version 11.0, you may initially want to preserve the RDML Partition definition. Also, if the application must be exported to other RDML Partitions, you may wish to preserve the RDML Partition settings for simplicity.