You can run several interactive programs in batch mode which accept data from a Z file. This allows you to process mass amounts of data from an outside source easily and efficiently using existing programs to validate the data.
You can process any number of records to add, change, or delete. You also have the advantage of:
Certain programs allow you to process a few of the data fields from the interactive program so that you can change the records. That is, the entire record does not have to be available for change, as required when using the import process. Programs that allow you to perform a partial record change include a processing option for this feature.
You can enter the data into a CSV or XML file and then import the data into a Z file for an interactive program. You can use the Batch Import - CSV or Excel XML or Batch Import from JDE XML on the Import/Export menu (G00PCIE) to import the data into the Z file. See Chapter 2, "Overview to Import/Export" in the for more information about Import/Export.
In most cases, the DREAM Writer program number corresponds to the screen and program number with a Z appended to the end. For example, P1230Z corresponds to the Depreciation Expense Allocation program P1230 and P1235Z corresponds to the Warranty Revisions program P1235. In some cases, a sequential number is appended to the end.
This chapter includes the following topics:
A Z file is a standard J D Edwards World file that stores the data that you want to process into the system. The Z file includes all key fields and input fields available on the screen. The program creates one or two Z files per program. Programs with subfiles contain two Z files. The Z file number is the same as the program file number appended with a Z. For example, the Z file number for Address Book Information (P01051) is F01051Z. For subfile programs, the header Z file number is the same as the program file number appended with HZ and the detail Z file is the same as the program file number appended with DZ. For example, the Z files for P1230, include F1230HZ and F1230DZ.
The Z file includes a few required control fields as well as hidden fields that are necessary for changing or deleting existing records. The control fields are unique to each record you process and tie the header to the detail data for any subfile record that you process. You can identify the hidden fields as those that begin with SH. For example, SHxxxx where xxxx is the data item name. You must enter the identifying values for the original record in the hidden fields when you want to change or delete records. The hidden fields must not contain data when you are adding records. Any hidden date field should be in Julian date format, to match the values in the production file. J D Edwards World recommends that you right justify any numeric fields in the Z files. You must right justify any key fields that the system needs to match between the header and detail files.
The following control fields are in the flat file or header file:
NOTE: Valid transaction actions depend on what action codes the interactive program allows and how action code security is set up.
The following fields are in the detail file (for example, F1230DZ):