Pipeline 3


 

SECTION 7.5.1 - PRINT AUDIT TRAIL

 

USAGE: To print and clear the audit file.

 

DISCUSSION: All Master-file modifications and transactions are audited to a special file. This file is built up throughout the day. At the end of the day, the audit report is printed. This shows all the transactions and the time and date (computer date) they were entered. Certain totalling is also computed at the end of the report. Often this report can be run even if the other transaction files have become corrupt. This means that the day’s transactions can be viewed and re-entered. Also, this report can be used to find a transaction that has been lost. This is especially useful in multi-terminal installations.

 

When trying to exit from the main menu, you will be prompted if the audit report has not been printed. This is a legitimate short-cut method for initiating the audit report.

 

Because another file is being written to, the audit file generation adds a little time to the updating of files. If auditing is not required, it is possible to suppress this function in the options menu (see SECTION 7.1.2).

 

Note that the audit report comes from a special file created specially for the purpose. This is added to, throughout the day, as transactions and modifications are made. It thus follows that if this file is not cleared at the end of the day, it will add to the time and disk space taken for backups. Therefore, if you are backing up to floppy disks, it would be more efficient to print (and clear) the audit file before backing up. (If you backup to tape, this is of little consequence.)

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