The System Management Interface Tool (SMIT) is an interactive and extensible screen-oriented command interface. It prompts users for the information needed to construct command strings and presents appropriate predefined selections or run time defaults where available. This shields users from many sources of extra work or error, including the details of complex command syntax, valid parameter values, system command spelling, or custom shell path names.
You can also build and use alternate databases instead of modifying SMIT's default system database.
The following sections discuss SMIT in detail:
New tasks consisting of one or more commands or inline ksh shell scripts can be added to SMIT at any time by adding new instances of predefined screen objects to SMIT's database. These screen objects (described by stanza files) are used by the Object Data Manager (ODM) to update SMIT's database. This database controls SMIT's run-time behavior.
System Management Interface Tool (SMIT) Overview in AIX 5L Version 5.1 System Management Guide: Operating System and Devices
Chapter 17, Object Data Manager (ODM)
Adding Tasks to the SMIT Database , Debugging SMIT Database Extensions , Creating SMIT Help Information for a New Task
smit command