1. Issue the command DEFINE ALTERNATEINDEX. Important parameters are RELATE where the database cluster name is SPECIFIED. KEYS, RECORDSIZE,SHAREOPTIONS,UNIQUEKEY(or NONUNIQUEKEY) DATA(data source name for the data component), INDEX(data source name for the index component).
2. Then issue the command DEFINE PATH. Important parameters are NAME (data source name for the path), PATHENTRY (data source name of the alternate index name), UPDATE or NOUPDATE, that specifies the DETERMINATION of alt index is updated when an update to the database cluster occurs
3. Then issue the command BLDINDEX. Important parameters are INDATASET (data source name of base cluster), OUTDATASET(data source name of AIX).

USING alternate indexes in batch programs:

JCL, has DD statements for cluster and for paths.

For the COBOL program :

The command SELECT ASSIGN TO ddname For the base cluster RECORD KEY IS...... ALTERNATE RECORD KEY IS… used

Using alternate indexes in CICS programs:

The creation of FCT entries are mandatory for both cluster and the path

Utilize the dd name of the path in CICS file control commands, by using the alternate index

Using alternate indexes in batch programs:

JCL, has DD statements for cluster and for paths.

For the COBOL program :

The command SELECT ASSIGN TO ddname For the base cluster RECORD KEY IS...... ALTERNATE RECORD KEY IS… used

Using alternate indexes in CICS programs:

The creation of FCT entries are mandatory for both cluster and the path

Utilize the dd name of the path in CICS file control commands, by using the alternate index