RE: Converting AS/400 files to XML?

There could also be a "gotcha" that I forgot to mention. THe CPYTOIMPF command 
may put a end-of-file character at the end of the XML file (I'm not sure 
because I have not checked). An end-of-file character can be a problem for some 
applications. There might be a way to strip it out programmatically using 
QShell functions.
 
Also, if you happen to use a third-party tool called Sequel, you can run the 
EXECUTE command that comes with the tool and output a structured DB2 file to an 
XML file.
 
THanks, Kelly

________________________________

From: cobol400-l-bounces+kcookson=dotfoods.com@xxxxxxxxxxxx on behalf of Kelly 
Cookson
Sent: Sun 7/31/2005 10:14 AM
To: COBOL Programming on the iSeries/AS400
Subject: RE: [COBOL400-L] Converting AS/400 files to XML?



The ILE COBOL route would be the best way to go if that's practical for you. 
Here's a less slick alternative.

It's possible for a COBOL program to write out lines of XML to a flat DB2 
database file, then use a CPYTOIMPF command to write the DB2 flat file to a 
stream file in the IFS. Each line of XML would be defined as a data structure 
in the working storage section. For example:

     01 XML-AMOUNT-DUE-LINE
         05 FILLER                                PIC X(11) VALUE "<AMOUNTDUE>".
         05 XML-AMOUNT-DUE-VALUE  PIC S9(11)V9(02).
         05 FILLER                                PIC X(12) VALUE 
"</AMOUNTDUE>".

Have the COBOL program fill in the amount due value, then write the 
XML-AMOUNT-DUE-LINE to the DB2 flat file. Do this same kind of thing for each 
line needed in the XML file. The DB2 flat file will contain the entire XML 
file, with each record in the DB2 file being one line in the XML file. The 
CPYTOIMPF command will transform the contents of the DB2 file into a regular 
XML file in the IFS.

This is a bulky solution and does not let you take full advantage of iSeries 
XML solutions, but there it is.

Good luck,
Kelly

> -----Original Message-----
> From: cobol400-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx [SMTP:cobol400-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx] 
> On Behalf Of RogerBoyette@xxxxxx
> Sent: Friday, July 29, 2005 7:48 PM
> To:   COBOL Programming on the iSeries/AS400
> Subject:      RE: [COBOL400-L] Converting AS/400 files to XML?
>
> Geir,
>  You can find XML statements in the ILE COBOL manual for v5r3. You can get to 
> an online printable (or viewable) version at the online website for IBM 
> manuals 
> (http://publib.boulder.ibm.com/infocenter/iseries/v5r3/ic2924/index.htm.
>  I haven't had an opportunity to use this new feature but this is where I 
> would look first for COBOL.
>  I have downloaded some of the online printable manuals and stored them in 
> PDF format on my PC system for quick review. You might try downloading the 
> ILE COBOL Reference and Programming Guide manuals.
>      Hope this helps,
>      Roger
> 
>
> geir.kildal@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
>
> >Hello.
> >
> >I have been asked if I can deliver invoice-information on XML-format from
> >an AS/400 COBOL-application.  Does anyone of you know the best way of
> >doing this?
> >
> >I'll make a flat file on the AS/400 containing the information needed, but
> >how do I transform it into XML?
> >
> >
> >
> >Mvh.
> >
> >Geir Kildal
> >TietoEnator AS
> >Tlf . . : (+47) 611 73805
> >Mob. : (+47) 90 10 13 16
> >eMail: geir.kildal@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> >_______________________________________________
> >This is the COBOL Programming on the iSeries/AS400 (COBOL400-L) mailing list
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> >
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