In this section, we will delve into the fundamental database operations in MUMPS, commonly referred to as CRUD operations: Create, Read, Update, and Delete. These operations are essential for managing data within a MUMPS database.

CRUD operations are the basic functions that allow you to interact with the database. Here's a brief overview of each operation:

• Create: Adding new data to the database.
• Read: Retrieving data from the database.
• Update: Modifying existing data in the database.
• Delete: Removing data from the database.

To create or add new data in MUMPS, you use the SET command. This command assigns a value to a global variable, which is stored in the database.

• ^Patient(1, "Name") = "John Doe": This line creates a new record for a patient with ID 1 and sets the "Name" field to "John Doe".
• ^Patient(1, "Age") = 30: This line sets the "Age" field to 30.
• ^Patient(1, "Gender") = "Male": This line sets the "Gender" field to "Male".

To read or retrieve data from the database, you use the WRITE command along with the global variable.

• WRITE ^Patient(1, "Name"): This line retrieves and displays the value of the "Name" field for the patient with ID 1.

To update existing data in the database, you use the SET command again, but this time you assign a new value to an existing global variable.

• ^Patient(1, "Age") = 31: This line updates the "Age" field for the patient with ID 1 to 31.

To delete data from the database, you use the KILL command. This command removes the specified global variable and its associated data.

• KILL ^Patient(1): This line deletes the entire record for the patient with ID 1, including all fields such as "Name", "Age", and "Gender".

1. Create a new patient record with the following details:

   • ID: 2
   • Name: "Jane Smith"
   • Age: 28
   • Gender: "Female"

2. Read and display the patient's name and age.

3. Update the patient's age to 29.

4. Delete the patient's record.

• Step 1: Creates a new patient record with ID 2 and sets the "Name", "Age", and "Gender" fields.
• Step 2: Reads and displays the "Name" and "Age" fields for the patient with ID 2.
• Step 3: Updates the "Age" field for the patient with ID 2 to 29.
• Step 4: Deletes the entire record for the patient with ID 2.

• Mistake: Forgetting to use the KILL command to delete data, which can lead to outdated or incorrect data remaining in the database.

  • Tip: Always ensure you use the KILL command to remove data that is no longer needed.

• Mistake: Using incorrect global variable names, which can lead to data being stored or retrieved incorrectly.

  • Tip: Double-check the global variable names and their structure to ensure accuracy.

In this section, we covered the essential CRUD operations in MUMPS, including creating, reading, updating, and deleting data. These operations form the backbone of database management in MUMPS. By mastering these operations, you can effectively manage and manipulate data within your MUMPS database. In the next section, we will explore indexing and searching within MUMPS databases to enhance data retrieval efficiency.