Spooled file support

Spooled file support

InterFormNG2 is able to process spooled files, if you install InterFormNG2 on the IBM i platform.

 

Please notice, that spooled file support, as well as Spool2XML, are modules for InterFormNG2, that are purchased separately.

 

You can also use the spool2XML functionality, but it is very important, that you ensure, that InterFormNG2 and Spool2XML are not monitoring the same output queues.

 

You need to use the built-in function, ng:spoolMap in order to refer to spooled file information.

Notes

Note: *USERASCII spooled files are not supported by InterFormNG2. If you try to process a *USERASCII spooled file in InterFormNG2, then you will see the error message: "*USERASCII spooled files are not supported, so the spooled file is ignored.".

It is important, that you do NOT use the setting SCHEDULE(*IMMED) on the used printer file, when the spooled file is generated. This will the operating system to generate a data queue entry for the spooled file (and trigger InterFormNG2) before the spooled file is fully written. Instead you should specify the recommended, default value, SCHEDULE(*FILEEND).

You can see the used value on the spooled file attributes like below:

 

The spooled file support is divided into these sections:

 

Spooled file formats

The spooled files can be stored in two different formats. The new format, version 2.0 is recommended.

 

Spooled files in the designer

  1. How to load a spooled file in the designer.
  2. Transformation designer - convert a spooled file into XML in the designer.
  3. How to map spooled file data from a specific page.
  4. How to map spooled file data from current page.
  5. How to reproduce input spooled file as output.
  6. How to iterate across spooled file detail lines.
  7. Use spooled file attributes in the designer.
  8. Change page breaks of a spooled file.
  9. Use the page range of an input spooled file.
  10. Output the spooled file pages in reverse order.
  11. Copy management for spooled files.
  12. Handling multi-line conditioned sections
  13. How to switch between different page formats within a spooled file.
  14. Convert a spooled file into Excel.

 

Spooled files in the workflow

  1. How to monitor an output queue.
  2. Load a sample spooled file in the workflow editor
  3. Convert a variable CPI spooled file
  4. How to condition the workflow on spooled file attributes
  5. Condition workflow on spooled file contents
  6. How to merge a spooled file with a template.
  7. How to change spooled file attributes
  8. Spooled file actions
  9. Split spooled files
  10. Add data to spooled files via SQL
  11. Transform a spooled file into XML
  12. Transform a spooled file into Excel.
  13. Transform a spooled file into a new spooled file. This can e.g. be used if you want to change the contents or add data from an SQL via the function, ng:databaseLookup. Multiple examples are found here.
  14. Use database information to move a spooled file or set output queue.
  15. Use translation file to link users with an output queue.
  16. Handling large spooled files in parallel. Consider this to avoid that larger spooled files are preventing processing of smaller spooled files, which might require a smaller response time.

 

General

  1. How to use input spooled file attributes
  2. The buit-in function, ng:spoolMap
  3. AFPDS spooled file adjustment
  4. Restore a spooled file
  5. Save a spooled file
  6. How to handle underline characters in spooled files.

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