Modernizing an SDF COBOL Application using a T27 Data Source Project

Read Using an SDF Formlibrary with ePortal and Using the SDFXMLEXTRACTOR Utility before doing the following procedures.

To extract the forms

  1. If not already done, determine the name of the dictionary that contains the formlibrary and the name of the formlibrary.

  2. Use the CANDE statement found in Running the SDFXMLEXTRACTOR Utility for a T27 Data Source Project,  in Using the SDFXMLEXTRACTOR Utility. Refer to T27 Project SDFXMLEXTRACTOR Utility Example for examples.

  3. Copy the SDF XML output file from the MCP server to the PC on which the ClearPath ePortal Developer tool is running by using Client Access Services. Refer to ClearPath Enterprise Servers Client Access Services Overview for information.

To create a T27 ePortal data source project

  1. Perform procedure 1 in Creating a T27 Data Source Project.

  2. Return to this procedure.

  3. Set the properties of the T27Emulator.t27cfg file. In particular the Language properties must be set to match those of the SDF Forms to be imported.

  4. Save the T27Emulator.t27cfg file.

To import the forms into the T27 ePortal data source project

  1. On Solution Explorer, highlight the folder of the ePortal data source project.

  2. On the Project menu, click Import.

  3. On the Import dialog box, select Import SDF Form Libraries and click OK.

  4. On the Import SDF dialog box, browse to or type in the location of the SDF XML file that was copied to the PC, and click OK.

The forms are imported into the ePortal data source project. The time that the importation takes depends on the number and complexity of the forms.

Select the Output pane to monitor the SDF importation progress and watch for warnings or errors. Refer to "Errors and Warnings" in this topic.

When the importation is complete, the files are found in Solution Explorer in the Server Messages folder of the project with an .t27XML extension and an .eprec extension.

At this point, the server message and the client message appear in the ePortal Message View window for use in any data flow changes that might need to happen.

Errors and Warnings

The following are the errors and warnings and their associated correction steps.

Warning: No Page Identification Regions found for screen <screen name>

Refer to “Planning the Data Identification Strategy,” in Preparing to Capture the Screens of T27 Applications.

Screen "<screen name 1>" not added: No Page Identification Regions map to screen -<screen name 2>.

The two identified screens have the same page identification regions. The <server message 1>.eprec file is not created.

In the T27 XML Editor, add a page identification region or regions to the <record name 1>.t27XML file.

Characteristics of Each Imported ClearPath ePortal Server Messages and Data Source Records

After importation into the ClearPath ePortal data source project, each server message data source record has the following characteristics:

These characteristics can be changed at this time by clicking the desired <record name>.t27XML file and changing the properties of the screen and the fields of the data source record in the Properties pane.

Create the New Presentation Project

Go to Getting Ready to Build a New Presentation Project.