The
Interface Mapper is the tool that enables you to define your service interfaces. You can define a service interface for a COBOL application from a COBOL program itself.
The service interfaces you define can cover a broad range -- from those that provide access to a subset of the functions performed by your application, to interfaces that do more than your application in its original form.
In order to use the service interfaces feature, you must first create a native COBOL project configured to support them. Once this project is in place, you use Eclipse IDE functionality to do the following:
- Add your COBOL application files to the project, such as COBOL programs and copybooks: right-click your project and choose
New > COBOL Program or
COBOL Copybook.
- Create and edit a service interface: right-click your project and choose
New > Other > Micro Focus IMTK > Java Interface or
Web Service.
- Import an existing service interface, either a service interface created using different software such as Net Express or a service interface from a different project right-click project and choose
Import > Import > Micro Focus Interface Mapper > Service Interfaces.
- Deploy service interfaces to run as services on an enterprise server: right-click a service interface and choose
Deploy.
- Generate clients to access deployed services: right-click service interface and choose
Generate Client.
The
Interface Mapper IDE is split into two parts, the left side presenting what we refer to as your COBOL fields. These are in the form of COBOL entry point fields. On the right are interface fields, reusable fields, mappings, and assignments.
Note: To see the
Reusable Fields and
COBOL Assignments panes, you must turn them on. See
To set Interface Mapper preferences for more information.