Global File Structure

INDEX File

The Cross-Reference A Field [DIXREF] option on the Utility Functions [DIUTILITY] menu asks if the developer wants to add/edit a Traditional index or a New-Style index. Use of the INDEX(#.11) file allows for design of more sophisticated indexes, including:

• Compound indexes (i.e., with more than one data field subscript).
• Indexes where transforms are done on fields.
• Indexes with computed subscripts.
• Indexes whose normal collation sequence is backward.
• Indexes whose SET/KILL logic is executed once per record rather than once per field.

These indexes can then be used by the VA FileMan code for such things as looking up a record on the file. The INDEX (#.11) file stores all information describing the new indexes. Data is stored descendent from ^DD("IX"). The INDEX (#.11) file is stored in the ^DD("IX",) global.

REF: See also the KEY File section.

Reviewed/Updated: May 2026