Re: XML to 5250

Perhaps an alternative might be to write a text-based web browser for
5250 screens.  Then your program need only produce the the XML/HTML and
the 5250 connected user can use it through the browser just like any
other client.

I have NO idea how hard it is, but there are text-based browsers in
existence already.

>>> Jon.Paris@Partner400.com 02/12/03 10:48AM >>>
 >> The process would involve generating a source member, based on  the
XML,
then CRTPNLGRP. It's not really dynamic in the utilization - would be
slow
is it had to be dynamic.

And therein lies the problem.  I'd forgotten that UIM still required
compiling etc.

By the way - for those following this thread - Leif had it right.

Think of it as one program that currently outputs a generic 5250
screen.

Each user has their own ideas on how to view the data - field order -
display/non-display - length of field in some cases - etc. etc.

Add to that the notion that _each_user_ also wants to choose to see it
on a
browser, or a PDA, some on a cell phone, and some on a 5250.  Hard
coded
display files won't cut it.  We would need too many different formats
and
that in turn would require using C I/O because RPG "Hard-wires" the
file to
the program.  DSM is a "maybe" but the additional tooling would be
prohibitive and probably DSM would limit my choices on the browser /PDA
end.

Since XML/XSL can do the browser stuff etc. it seems a good choice but
it
leaves me with the 5250 issues.

Jon Paris
Partner400


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