On the AS/400 every file is in a library. The data in the file is
actually stored in individual members. Typically, a file has only
one member and it has the same name as the file.
When you use commands to work with files, there is a
parameter that gives you the ability to choose which member
to use. The default for this parameter is *FIRST. So you rarely
actually specify the member name.
So, the data is in a member which is in a file which is in a library.
Imagine a sheet of paper with a spreadsheet printed on it. The lines
on the spreadsheet are like the records. If you put only one sheet
of paper in a file folder and you put that folder in a cabinet, if would
be similar to the AS/400 file structure:
Cabinet -----> Library
File Folder -----> File (or database file)
Sheet of Paper -----> Member of the file
Data on the Sheet -----> Records in the Member
If you want to see the data in a file, you are actually wanting to
see the data in the first and only member of the file. This is why the command
to display the data in a file is not DSPF or DSPFIL.
The command to display the data in a member of a file is:
DSPPFM - Display Physical File Member
The term physical file refers to the records in the member that are in arrival sequence. With the database facility, you can build logical views (indexes) to select only certain fields and only certain records and to resequence the records.
However, there is no Display Logical File Member command. You usually simply view the data using DSPPFM and use your imagination to picture the logical data. In a while, there will be a tip for seeing the logical file data.