Flat File Processing with Multiple Repeating TAG Identifiers
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Suppose you came across a flat file format that describes a header, a footer and a collection of different types of unrelated object (e.g., CAT, DOG, CAR, HOUSE, SPACESHIP). Each object have a different stucture and it's own TAG identifier.
The format could look like this:
<Header Comment>, <Sequence Number>, <Date of Transmission>; <List of objects>;<Total Number of objects>,<Sequence Number><CR LF>
Each object is a completely different structure and a has unique tag identifier e.g:
<Tag Identifier> <List of Fields separated by , >;
And example of the example of data looking like this could be (colour coded for readablity):
A Header Comment, 12345678910, 2006-09-19;CAT Garfield,5 Years,50KG;DOG Odie,Drowles Everywhere,Loves Everything,10KG,2 Years;CAR Mazda 323,Marcus Rosen,123 QYW,Red,1999;CAR Honda Accord,Belinda Something,567 QWE,Silver,1997;HOUSE 10 Somewhere,Some Town,Some Country,12345;SPACESHIP The Falcon,200 Lightyears,Luke Skywalker;CAT Tiffany,13 Years,12KG;CAR BMW 318i,Scott Martin,412 YQW,Metallic Blue,2006;8, 12345678910;
Can you create a Flat File Schema that supports multiple repeating TAG identifiers in the BizTalk Schema Editor?
YES you can but it's not really straight forward, hence this post!!
Unfortunatly I lost the images that were previously uploaded here but the example files are still avaliable for download.
2 comments:
I've learned some good stuff here I do appreciate your efforts to create one of these magnificent informative websites.
Nice one Marcus.
Dont forget with the FFDASM you can specify a Header, Body and Footer Schemas.
So you dont have to come up with the all encompasing schema.
Also I tend to work from the top down approach. As in start with the 'outer' elements and then work within.
The FF Wizard always makes a great start.