Describes the components of the
Interface Mapper and explains the purpose of each.
Restriction: This topic applies to Windows environments (local development) only.
The
Interface Mapper user interface for COBOL Program service interfaces is split into two parts. The left side shows COBOL
LINKAGE section fields, and the right shows interface fields, reusable fields, and COBOL assignments.
Note: To see the
Reusable Fields and
COBOL Assignments panes, you must turn them on. See
To set Interface Mapper preferences.
- Linkage Section pane
- Shows the selected
Linkage Section from the selected COBOL program.
- Interface Fields pane
- In the
Interface Fields pane, you define the details of each field you want to include in your service interface. Typically, an interface field corresponds
to a COBOL field shown in the
Linkage Section pane. Only the interface fields for the current operation show in this pane.
The most straightforward way to create an interface field from a COBOL field is by dragging a COBOL field from the
Linkage Section pane and dropping it onto the
Interface Fields pane. This creates a mapping between the COBOL field and the new interface field. From the
Interface Fields pane, you can further define the details for that field as it is used by the service interface.
- Reusable Fields pane
- This pane is primarily for convenience. In it, you create fields you want to use across operations. Then, for each operation
in which you want to use one of these fields, drag and drop it from the
Reusable Fields pane to the
Interface Fields pane. The contents of the
Reusable Fields pane does not change from operation to operation in a single service interface.
The
Type of interface field created is derived from the name of the reusable field. For example, if you create a reusable field named
MyReusableField and then drag and drop it into the
Interface Fields pane, the value in the
Type column for that field is MyResuableField.
- COBOL Assignments pane
- Shows COBOL assignments you create for the service interface. For example, you can use a COBOL assignment to define the path
taken by the application for the current operation by providing a unique parameter value. This enables you to perform a different
function from each operation even if all operations use the same entry point. The program takes a different path depending
on the value of a parameter. Instead of defining an interface field to map to that parameter, place the value here that makes
the program take the required path.