DFU data entry applications can be created and started with DDM to work with remote files in the same manner as with local files. Most DFU functions are performed with the remote file as though it were a local file. When creating or changing a DFU function of Application Development Tools and the remote file is an AS/400 or System/38 logical file, the following consideration applies: either DDM files referring to each remote based-on file must exist on the source system, and the DDM file and library names must match those of the remote based-on files; or, alternatively, physical files with the same file and library names and the same record formats as the remote based-on files must exist on the source system. Because only the record formats are needed from the physical files, they need not contain data. Using this alternative, if the record formats of the remote based-on files are changed, the record formats on the source system must also be changed so that the record formats match. Similar considerations apply when the remote file is a System/36 logical file.
DFU supports AS/400, System/38, and System/36 remote files. However, DFU does not prevent you from using non-AS/400, non-System/38, or non-System/36 remote files and you may experience problems when using such files.
Non-AS/400 or System/36 files are program-described files. DFU allows you to use either a local or remote file containing ILE RPG file and input specifications to define these data files.