Re: Request for Example of Open Access Handler for WORKSTN Screen Program

Normally, I would agree with the others that buying a professionally built product is far cheaper BUT - If this is all you really want to do ... then I have an example but you'll have to email me for a copy as the web version has vanished. Well the web archive has it at https://web.archive.org/web/20160503112023/http://www.ibmsystemsmag.com/ibmi/developer/rpg/-Webulating--Printer-Output-Revisited/ so you can try that.

I've written a number of handlers and am happy to advise if you need more help. Various articles on OA can be found here: https://authory.com/JonParisAndSusanGantner?collection=Open-Access-c6442821ee733408f8374c62e3d0bfdad Most include downloadable code. They won't all be free-form (too old) but ...

Here are a few bullet points on architecting such a handler from a presentaion on the topic that I used to give. Hopefully they will help too.

Best approach seemed to be an architecture based on existing names
- I used CGIDEV2 - but any HTML template-driven approach would work

HTML Template
- Store template in known location
- Use the file name as the variable part of the file name
- Have one template section for each record format
- Use the record format name as the section name
- Within the section use field names for the substitution variable names

Always have a footer section to wrap up the HTML on file close
- Use the same name name for the footer in each template

Logic
- Build template name from file name and load template
- Use field names in name/value data to update HTML variable content
- Once fields are processed use record format name to write HTML section
- When file close request received write footer section

Hope this helps

Jon Paris
Jon.Paris@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

On Jan 29, 2025, at 11:36 AM, Suren K <suren7437@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Hi Vern,

We have a requirement to convert our Green Screen Menu into a web-based UI.
To achieve this, I’m planning to transform the green screen program into an
API that can be used by the web interface.

In order to move forward, I’ve started exploring different options, and I
came across Open Access Handlers (OAH) as a potential solution.
Regards,
Suren

On Wed, Jan 29, 2025 at 11:22 AM Vern Hamberg via RPG400-L <
rpg400-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Hi Suren

I have to ask - why would you use an OAR handler? A handler is far too
complicated to do a simple WORKSTN process. What you describe sounds
like standard RPG screen processing, including using indicators that are
set based on values from the display file.

*Regards*

*Vern Hamberg*

<cid:part1.Eq2hlx8u.JDf902FF@centurylink.net>



On 1/29/2025 9:11 AM, Suren K wrote:

Hi All,

I’m looking for an example of an Open Access Handler for a WORKSTN screen
program that demonstrates how to:

1. Retrieve screen fields in the handler program.
2. Enable function keys as a response to EXFMT.
3. Populate input fields on the screen using the handler.

I’ve searched online but haven’t come across a comprehensive example that
covers all these aspects.

If anyone has a sample available or knows of a link I may have missed, I
would greatly appreciate it if you could share. Your help would be very
much appreciated!

Thanks in advance,
Regards,
Suren

--
This is the RPG programming on IBM i (RPG400-L) mailing list
To post a message email: RPG400-L@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
To subscribe, unsubscribe, or change list options,
visit: https://lists.midrange.com/mailman/listinfo/rpg400-l
or email: RPG400-L-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Before posting, please take a moment to review the archives
at https://archive.midrange.com/rpg400-l.

Please contact support@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx for any subscription related
questions.

--
This is the RPG programming on IBM i (RPG400-L) mailing list
To post a message email: RPG400-L@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
To subscribe, unsubscribe, or change list options,
visit: https://lists.midrange.com/mailman/listinfo/rpg400-l
or email: RPG400-L-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Before posting, please take a moment to review the archives
at https://archive.midrange.com/rpg400-l.

Please contact support@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx for any subscription related questions.