IBM AS/400 manual Using WORKSTN Files, Function, Using Externally Described WORKSTN Files

Using Externally Described WORKSTN Files

Chapter 18. Using WORKSTN Files

Interactive applications on the AS/400 generally involve communication with:

¹ One or more work station users via display files

¹ One or more programs on a remote system via ICF files

¹One or more devices on a remote system via ICF files.

Display files are objects of type *FILE with attribute of DSPF on the system. You use display files to communicate interactively with users minals. Like database files, display files can be either externally-d program-described.

ICF files are objects of type *FILE with attribute of ICFF on the AS/ You use ICF files to communicate with (send data to and receive d application programs on remote systems (AS/400 or non-AS/400). An ICF file tains the communication formats required for sending and receiving dat

systems. You			can	write	programs	that use ICF files which allow you
cate	with (send			data	to and	receive data	from)	other application p
remote		systems.
When	a	file	in	an RPG	program	is identified	with	the WORKSTN device

that program can communicate interactively with a work-station user or

Intersystem	Communications	Function	(ICF) to communicate with other progra
This chapter	describes	how to	use:

¹ Intersystem Communications Function (ICF)

¹ Externally-described WORKSTN files

¹ Program-described WORKSTN files

¹Multiple-device files.

Intersystem Communications	Function
To use	the	ICF, define a	WORKSTN file	in your program that	refers
device	file. Use either		the systemQICDMF	suppliedora filefilecreated	using the
OS/400 command		CRTICFF.

You code for ICF by using the ICF as a file in your program. The display file and it contains the communications formats required for receiving of data between systems.

For further information on the ICF, Programmingrefer to manual.

Using Externally Described WORKSTN Files

An RPG WORKSTN file can use an externally described display-device fi ICF-device file, which contains file information and a description of records to be written. The most commonly used externally described file is a display file. (For information about describing and creati refer toDDStheReference.)

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