Retrieve data from a PC to an iSeries
Katie wrote in with this question recently:
Where can I get information to be able to retrieve data from a PC (or possibly be able to access data from IFS all day long) to the iSeries. I need to be able to have the iSeries open in communication all day long to a PC, PC Server or IFS to be able to retrieve data from a balance weight station and have it updated to the iSeries databases. I have a PC guy programming the PC side to access the data from the balance station to a file which can reside on a PC server or the iSeries IFS. But I am not sure how to get the iSeries to access the data and update the file instantly.
I plan to have an iSeries screen (written in RPG LE) available to the user at the time they are weighing the chemical, but am not sure how to access the weight to validate and update the screen.
I am not familiar with iSeries Navigator so I'm not sure if there's something there that would help or what is available these days. I appreciate any help or directions you can give on this.
-- Deb Tart, associate editor
Software/Hardware used:
Software/Hardware used:
ASKED:
February 22, 2006 4:19 PM
UPDATED:
November 14, 2010 11:18 AM
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Answer Wiki:
OK, as I understand, You have a native green screen app that has to know about PC data. Don't go for the pull method to get the data, push it from the PC to iSeries. If Your pc guy can do the communication with the weight station, why not sending the data directly to the iSeries database? Set up a iSeries database file with the fields You need and access it from the pc app via ADODB. Works just like any pc database connection. Try it! It's very easy.
To see all answers submitted to the Answer Wiki: View Answer History.
“Danjones” responds,
“I am doing this with FedEx by their PC program using TCP/IP to a file that I created on the iSeries. The program adds and deletes records to/from this file. In fact, the program is also reading from several other iSeries files, as well.”
Hi,
I think “danjones” approach is easier; i am doing the same thing for DHL. All PC application sends their data as flat file to the i-series and this data will be handled in i-series by their application.
Cheers,
SK
I have a PC guy programming the PC side to access the data from the balance station to a file which can reside on a PC server or the iSeries IFS.
Since this seems to be nearly real-time data, I probably wouldn’t put it into a file at all for the communication. The PC probably should log to a PC (or IFS) file, but I’d have it send to a keyed data queue on your AS/400. Your RPG program can then retrieve entries in near real-time with no need for a file. The entries will be on the data queue essentially at the second the PC puts them there.
A key may or may not be useful. It might come in handy for 2-way acknowledgments or to request retransmission. It might be used to log data on the AS/400 that could later be linked back to the log on the PC if reconciliation was needed.
Tom