Define External File Template Details
Explanation
Use this activity to define external file template details, i.e. detailed definitions of how to interpret an
input file or how to write a file line on an output file.
Since a file template is always associated with an external file type, this means that the template details
defines how to handle data associated with the available file type columns.
Please note the following:
- Use the List Of Values where available.
- If the file template id valid for files with string separated columns, then Column No specifies the column in
a file line for which the detail applies.In this case do not use the columns Start Position and End
Position.
- If the file template id valid for files having columns with fixed positions, then Column No should not be
used. Please use columns Start Position and End Position instead.
- The control column can be used to define the columns that together defines an unique identity. During
processing of an input file the marked control columns will be used to build an identity string that is checked
against old identity strings. If the identity string is found an error will be raised, else the string will be
stored. This functionality makes it possible to prevent the External Files toolkit from accepting the same
identity more than once.
Prerequisites
An external file template header must be available that is not system defined. The file type associated with the
file template must also contain accurate definitions of record types and column definitions.
System Effects
The file template detail definitions defines in detail how to interpret a file line during read or how to format
a file line during write and the definitions can now be used for processing of input and output files. However the
following must be handled first:
- Define Input and/or Output Files options.
- Define file template control instructions if necessary.
- Make sure that the template definition is valid.
- Mark the file template as active.