QED MD - XML Enablement - Translation of Codes

Converting codes from an internal to external versions (or a common standard version) is often a requirement of many XML imports/exports. For example e5 may codify a company as 01 where as the same company in an external system may identify the company with a code of A00001.

To aid in converting codes within a QED Mapping a number of functions have been created which make use of e5 mnemonic groups and user defined tables. Generally mnemonics within e5 give lists of codes matching to code descriptions. User defined tables can be used to translate code values from a external source into its matching e5 code value.

For XML purposes a set of Validation Tables can be created in mnemonics which list valid codes/descriptions for a specific XML tag or attribute value. To convert the XML value from / to a e5 value a set of user defined table can be created called Translation tables.

Simple use of translations may be activated by stating for a XML tag / attribute which translation and validation table to use. This would be hard coded into the Mapping. To aid in this 2 functions exist:

QEDX_VLDTE_XLATE - For XML imports, confirms value is valid and then converts it to e5 equivalent. The converted value is returned. Function parameters are Validation table, Translation table, company and value
QEDX_XLATE_VLDTE - For XML exports converts value from e5 to XML code then, confirms value is valid. The converted value is returned. Function parameters are Validation table, Translation table, company and value

For real world use of XML each business entity (say customer or supplier) may have a different set of codes for the same XML value (i.e. Customer A uses code set A where as customer B use code set B). This means you can not hard code the translate / validate tables. A more complex solution is required which makes use of an extra level of indirection. For a given business entity (e.g. each customer) a translation set can be selected (based on the data involved - either e5 data for export or the XML for import). The set contains a list of entries for all translations needed in that XML application. Each XML tag / attribute that needs to be translated is assigned a fixed translation set entry name which translation / validation table to use for a given entry.

Diagram qed010

QED Functions:

QEDX_XLATEG_DESCR - Returns Description
QEDX_XLATEG_VLDTE - Returns Translated Value and checks that the description exists
QEDX_XLATEG - Returns translated value without checking a description exists

Both functions require you to enter the Translations set code (sourced from XML / e5 data), the Translations set entry (fixed for field) and the code to be translated.

Diagram qed020

NOTE The menu path shown is the default for the system. Your company may have customised menu options, so the path shown may not be accurate. Please contact your system administrator for details.