The database browser is very useful and sometimes the only easy way to get SAM information. In many cases, it is faster than using SAM commands. This page gives an introduction for the novice and some quick links to useful reports at the bottom.
You can start at the top level entry web page to the browser. Find the field "select a report group" and select "SAM" in the drop down list. Then click the "Submit request" button at the top of the page. It is possible to create a direct link to the lower level web pages and reports in the browser. Here is a link directly to the page we just navigated to: SAM Reports . From this page, you select the report you are interested in from the drop down list titled "Select a report to be given or a report group to be expanded." Then click "Submit request".
For example, if you want to find a dataset definition that already exists you select "SAM:Reconstructed Dataset Definitions" from the drop down list and click "Submit request". The result is typical of the database browser report pages. You have many fields available where you can type in options. Most of the time you use one or two and ignore the rest. Then click "Submit request" to get the information you want. Let's say we want all the dataset definitions whose name ends in "0f". Type "*0f" in the data definition name field and click "Submit request".
There is an alternative to the navigation described in the previous paragraphs. You can get a long list of all reports in an outline form: Outline Interface. If you browse starting from there, you get the same results in the end. Some people prefer it.
The browser accepts "*" as a wildcard for zero or any number of characters. The browser accepts "?" as a wildcard for exactly one character.
If you make your data request more specific, you will get a faster response and put less load on the database. Make a request more specific by filling in more fields and using wildcards less. If your request puts too much load on the database you will be temporarily banned from the database browser and have to wait a period of time before submitting another request.
There is help available in the database browser. Click the little question marks that appear in many places or the help link that appears in the upper right hand on some pages. In the upper left hand corner, there is a link to send email to get help or make suggestions/requests.
There are too many possible options in the data base browser to try to explain or list them all, but some of the more useful are listed below with a direct link and some of the more useful query options.