back to the browser. You must provide data to a CGI program through environment variables and standard-input (stdin). HTTP and HTML specifications allow you to tag text data with a character set (charset parameter on the Content-Type header). However, this practice is not widely in use today (although technically required for HTTP1.0/1.1 compliance). According to this specification, text data that is not tagged can be assumed to be in the default character set ISO-8859-1 (US-ASCII). AS/400 correlates this character set with ASCII CCSID 819.

There are basically three different ways the server can process the input to and output from your CGI program. You can configure the server to control which mode is used by specifying an overall server directive (CGIConvMode) or an optional parameter on the Exec or Post-Script script directives:

CGIConvMode Mode

Exec request-template program-path [server-IP-address or hostname] [Mode] Post-Script program_path_and_name [server-IP-address or hostname] [Mode]

Where Mode is one of the following:

%%MIXED%% or %%MIXED/MIXED%% This is the default.

%%EBCDIC%% or %%EBCDIC/MIXED%%

%%EBCDIC/EBCDIC%%

%%BINARY%% or %%BINARY/MIXED%%

%%BINARY/EBCDIC%%

%%BINARY/BINARY%%

%%EBCDIC_JCD%% or %%EBCDIC_JCD/MIXED%%

%%EBCDIC_JCD/EBCDIC%%

The CGIMode can be thought of as 2 logical pieces. The input mode and output mode. They are separated by the ″/″. If only the input mode is provided, the output mode is defaulted to MIXED for compatibility.

In addition, the system provides the following CGI environment variables to the CGI program:

vCGI_MODE - which input conversion mode the server is using (%%MIXED%%, %%EBCDIC%%, %%BINARY%%, or %%EBCDIC_JCD%%).

vCGI_ASCII_CCSID - from which ASCII CCSID was used to convert the data

vCGI_EBCDIC_CCSID - which EBCDIC CCSID the data was converted into

vCGI_OUTPUT_MODE - which output conversion mode the server is using (%%MIXED%%, %%EBCDIC%%, or %%BINARY%%)

The following section explains CGI input conversion modes in more detail.

CGI Input Conversion Modes

MIXED

This mode is the default mode of operation for the server. The system converts values for CGI environment variables to EBCDIC CCSID 37, including QUERY_STRING. The system converts stdin data to the CCSID of the job. However, the system still represents the encoded characters “%xx” by the ASCII 819 octet. This requires the CGI program to convert these further into EBCDIC to process the data. For more information, see symptom, Special characters are not being converted or handled as expected in “Chapter 10. Troubleshooting your CGI programs” on page 139.

EBCDIC

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AS/400E specifications

The IBM AS/400E, now more commonly known as IBM i, is a robust and versatile midrange server that has been designed to provide a comprehensive computing solution for businesses of all sizes. First introduced in the late 1980s, the AS/400 series has undergone multiple enhancements and rebranding, with the AS/400E being one of the notable iterations. This powerful platform is closely associated with IBM's commitment to reliability, scalability, and integrated business solutions.

One of the main features of the AS/400E is its highly integrated architecture that combines hardware and software into a cohesive system. This integration allows for seamless operations, reducing the complexity typically associated with managing disparate systems. The system is powered by IBM's proprietary OS/400 operating system, which has evolved into IBM i, featuring advanced capabilities like object-oriented programming, integrated database management, and security features that are essential for enterprise environments.

A key characteristic of the AS/400E is its robust database support, primarily through the use of DB2 for i. This integrated database management system enables efficient data handling and retrieval, facilitating real-time business analytics and reporting. Furthermore, the platform supports a variety of programming languages, including RPG, COBOL, and Java, making it flexible for developers who require diverse tools for application development.

The AS/400E is also known for its exceptional reliability and uptime, making it a preferred choice for critical business applications in industries such as finance, healthcare, and manufacturing. This reliability is backed by advanced error detection and correction mechanisms, as well as redundancy features that help prevent data loss and minimize downtime.

In terms of scalability, the AS/400E can effortlessly expand to accommodate growing business demands. Organizations can increase processing power by adding more resources without significant disruption. This scalability, combined with the system’s built-in virtualization capabilities, allows businesses to optimize resource usage and streamline operations.

Security is another defining feature of the AS/400E. The platform incorporates various layers of security measures, including user authentication, encryption, and comprehensive auditing capabilities, ensuring that sensitive business data is protected against unauthorized access.

Overall, the IBM AS/400E remains a powerful tool in the enterprise computing landscape, providing businesses with an integrated, reliable, and secure solution for their technological needs. Its enduring popularity is a testament to its capability to evolve with changing business requirements while maintaining its core attributes of high performance and stability.
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