Net.Data uses its initialization file to establish the settings of various configuration variables and to configure language environments and search paths. The settings of configuration variables control various aspects of Net.Data operation, such as the following:
The language environment statements define the Net.Data language environments that are available and identify special input and output parameter values that flow to and from the language environments. The language environments enable Net.Data to access different data sources, such as DB2 databases and system services. The path statements specify the directory paths to files that Net.Data uses, such as macros and programs.
Creating the Net.Data initialization file is optional with Net.Data for OS/400. By using an initialization file, you can use shorter URLs and shorter references to programs and include files within your Net.Data macro files. However, you are required to have an initialization file if you decide to create your own language environment.
If you do not create an initialization file, Net.Data runs as if you have configured an initialization file with only the supported language environment statements (see Using Language Environments to learn about supported language environments). In this case, all macro, include, and executable references within the macro must be fully qualified.