2.5 The Batch Conversion job

After the screen in Figure 02-17, you will receive the following screen in Figure 02-18:
it allows to submit the Batch Conversion Job (BCJ).

The BCJ goes across the data and the parameters collected during the GWCS (Graphical WEB Conversion Session)
and performs the conversion.

Though you have no way to interact with the BCJ, you may easily check what is going on.
The BCJ generates a log which is made visible to the GWCS.

  • The entries of this log document the major activities and the conversion results achieved.
  • Spool files generated from compile commands are available for review from the GWCS.

See the next two figures.

You may click on the splf links to display the compile listings.

 

2.5.1 About converted programs

As already said, in the Batch Conversion job only interactive programs
(that is, programs dealing with display files) are converted.
Converted programs can run both in 5250 interactive mode
and in WEB batch mode (served by the HTTP server).

About program sources

  • RPG III sources are converted to ILE RPG (RPG IV).
    /COPY members are converted and expanded into the converted sources.
    Converted sources are filed as RPGLE members of source file QRPGLESRC
    in the source target library (see the first block of parameters).
  • ILE RPG (RPG IV) sources are just copied into RPGLE members of source file QRPGLESRC
    in the source target library.
    /COPY members are also copied into RPGLE members in the source target library.

The compilation of program sources goes through a two step procedure:

  1. The source member is copied from source file QRPGLESRC of the source target library
    to a member of source file QQRPGLESRC in the same library and it is added bunches of iWEB statements
    to support both the 5250 and the WEB mode
  2. The member of source file QQRPGLESRC is used to compile the object.
    The object is created in the object target library (see the first block of parameters).

Note. As a rule, once a batch conversion is over, the original developer
will continue to maintain her/his original source member, and use command WEBCOMPILE
to produce a new version of the twofold (5250 & WEB) program.
As an alternative, if the original source was RPG III, the developer may take advantage
of the RPGLE converted source in source file QRPGLESRC, target source library.
Also in this case, however, to create the twofold (5250 & WEB) program, the developer has to use command WEBCOMPILE.  

2.5.2 About converted display files

Display files are not re-compiled. Only their sources are read in order to create the masks needed by the iWEB Runtime.
Display file masks are created:

  • in directory /iwebdata/fmts
  • in database files IWATR, IWFLD, IWFMT of library IWEBDATA.

Note. As a rule, once a batch conversion is over,
the original developer will continue to maintain her/his original display file source member,
compile the display file as usual, and use command WEBCOMPILE
to update the display file information needed by the iWEB Runtime.