On Apr 29, Gavin responds:
> Jeff asks:
> > Is there enough interest/need in being able to purge PRIV files that
> > we should consider adding this to the CI?  Is it reasonable that the
> > SM (and PM?) user should be able to BUILD, PURGE, COPY, RENAME a
> > priv file?
>
> I think there's some real advantage to having files that are very hard
> for the "dumb user" (or system manager) to purge.  When you really
> really don't want your file to be purged, it should be really really
> hard to purge it.

I agree, at least about the "dumb user".  Not so sure about there
being dumb system managers though - I thought their "smarts" is what
earned them the system manager title!  ;-)

> As people have pointed out, there are lots of ways of getting rid of a
> PRIV or otherwise protected file, but they require that you go through
> a little extra effort (other than MPEX of course).  I think it would
> be dangerous to allow SM/PM users to be able to purge something like
> an Image B-TREE index directly with a simple CI command.  If they
> think they want to get rid of it, make them hunt for a way to do it.
> Chances are that they might just come upon the right way (DBUTIL,
> etc.) to do it before they figure out how to just blow it away.

I acknowledge there are many ways to get the job done now.  But it
does seem like a worthwhile subject to explore, and I thank Jeff for
raising it.

Is there a middle ground?  Could the CI commands be knowledgeable of
certain (common) PRIV file codes and give a message like "Use DBUTIL
to delete this file" if you tried to delete part of an Image data
base?  Maybe for all other (non-common) PRIV file codes (in addition
to having to provide the file code), you'd have to confirm your
action after entering your command - like on PURGEGROUP.

> Someone will probably bring up the old "commands don't kill files,
> people kill files" argument though.

Yeah, although I'm on Gavin's side of the fence, it sure seems like
I'm trying to climb over.  I guess you'd better put a vote on both
sides of the ledger for me, Jeff!

David L. Largent                     "My thoughts are my own,
Information Services Manager          unless I choose to share them!"
The Gilbert Companies, Inc.          Phone: 765/284-4461
P.O. Box 1032                        Facs:  765/288-2079
Muncie, Indiana  47308-1032          Email: [log in to unmask]