Records in the database can be accessed by non‑keyed or keyed methods.

• To perform non‑keyed access of database records, the full RBA must be specified.
• To perform keyed access of database records, the value specified depends on the function performed.
  • To perform a READNEXT operation, the entire index record must be specified.
  • To perform a READ operation, it is sufficient to use a partial key. Of course, the full key or even the full index record can be used.

Both READ and READNEXT requests return the full index record to the area pointed to by the KEY parameter.

A READ request is usually used for accessing a specific record. Since a READ request can use a partial key as input, it is also useful when you have only partial data available (for example, a volser without a label number when using the L‑type index).

A READNEXT request is usually used for accessing a series of records. Since, however, a READNEXT request requires specification of a full index value (whereas a READ request can use a partial key as an input value), a sequence of READNEXT requests must be preceded by a READ request.