Code Table Object (CODE)

Code Table objects cater for the smooth communication between systems that use different character sets.

Object Definition

Object class: Passive object

Object type/Short form: CODE

Purpose/Background

Some operating systems and applications use special character sets. When the Automation Engine exchanges data with them, these character sets must be converted before it writes the data in the Automation Engine database. For this purpose you define Code Table objects. They are used for the following:

Code table objects define a complete character set.

The Automation Engine manages its communication using the UC_CODE code table for the data traffic both between itself and the agents and between agents as depicted in the graphic below:

Code Table graphic

Your administrator can assign a default code table to an agent by defining the UC_HOST_CODE parameter in the [VARIABLES] section of the agent's INI file. When the agent logs on to the Automation Engine, the Automation Engine stores the agent's Code Table names. Then it reads the code table from the system client 0 and transfers it to the agent, which applies it to all jobs and file transfers that require character conversion.

Default Code Tables

Both the UC_CODE code table and the agent code tables for operating systems and applications are supplied in client 0 and they contain default character sets for all supported target systems.

Code Table Target System Character Set
ASCII_850

MS DOS

Includes German umlauts

BS2000_DEUTSCH

BS2000

Includes German umlauts

BS2000_EDF041

 BS2000 In accordance with EDF041
BS2000_INTERNATIONAL BS2000

Alphanumeric with special characters
CODE  

Template for new code tables to be created
EBCDIC_00237   USA
EBCDIC_00037 OS/400 Germany and Austria
EBCDIC_00500   International
EBCDIC_01141  

Germany and Austria, with € symbol

IBM_3270_DEUTSCH

  

Includes German umlauts
IBM_3270_INTERNATIONAL z/OS International
UC_CODE

MPE

NSK

Oracle Applications

PeopleSoft

SAP

UNIX

VMS

Windows

 Basic character set used by AE

Code Tables Usage and Job Execution

If no particular code table has been specified for a job, the agent's default one is applied. This means that the Automation Engine sends the job data (JCL) using UC_CODE; the agent converts it (if necessary) as required by the target system's character set. For this purpose, it uses the default Code Table sent to it by the Automation Engine during the login. After the job has been executed, the report that was generated is converted again using the character set as defined in UC_CODE and sent to the Automation Engine.

If a job does not use the default Code Table - but instead, for example, an ASCII character set for DOS outputs in Windows - this Code Table is first sent to the agent. The Automation Engine searches for it in the numbered non-system client and, if it doesn't find it, the Code Table of client 0 is used. However, this is valid only temporarily and exclusively for this particular job's JCL and report.

Code Tables Usage and File Transfer

If no particular code table has been specified for a file transfer, the agents' default ones are applied. The agent converts the source file to UC_CODE if required, and sends it to the partner agent, which in turn converts it from UC_CODE to its particular character set using its default Code Table.

For file transfers, code tables can be specified explicitly for the sending and/or receiving agent. This is essential when the contents of the file to be transfeered do not comply with the default Code Tables of the agents involved in the transaction. The Automation Engine sends the required Code Table to the agent so that it can convert the contents of the file correctly. However, this is valid only temporarily and exclusively for the affected file transfer. Subsequent file transfers and/or jobs are not affected.

Adding a Code Table

Sometimes you may need a code table that differs from the default ones. The easiest way is to duplicate an existing one having the most similar character set of the system client 0 and adapt it accordingly.

If you want a code table to be only valid for a particular client, duplicate a similar one to the numbered non-system client and change it accordingly. Note that you need the necessary authorizations assigned. The code table you added is available in the File Transfer Objects (JOBF).

Code tables that have the same name may exist in different clients, however, the code table names of the system client 0 must be unique.

Code tables that were assigned to agents as their default  (in the agent's INI file) must always be saved in the system client 0. Automic recommends to save code tables only in the system client 0 to ensure that only authorized users change them.

You need to log-in anew in order to apply changes to the system client's code tables.

Additional Information

Your administrator can assign a default code table to an agent by defining the UC_HOST_CODE parameter in the [VARIABLES] section of the agent's INI file. The Automic Web Interface then reads the code table from the system client 0 and transfers it to the agent who then applies it to all jobs and file transfers that require character conversion