Statement header

The Statement header contains general information about the file type and standard variables defining the file layout. Not all variables are mandatory.

This example shows the possible variables:

[IMPORT::O]           (Statement Name)

   LAYOUT=SINGLE_REC         (Layout Information)

   TYPE=READ           (Type)

   FILEFORMAT=SEPARATED    (File Format)

   ID=#1                    (Record ID Number)

   DELIMITER=;                     (Delimiter sign)

   CHARQUOTES=                     (Quotes Around Strings)

   DEF_FLOAT_FORM=6.2      (Standard Length)

! This is a Commentary Line   -----  ------  ---------------

Statement name

Every statement header must contain a statement name. This name controls the type of import/export to be performed. The different types are:
  • Single files:

    [IMPORT]

    [JOB]

    [EXPORT]

  • Multiple files:

    [IMPORT::O]

    [IMPORT::R]

    [IMPORT::M/N]

    [IMPORT::H]

    [JOB::O]

    [JOB::R]

    [JOB::M/N]

    [JOB::H]

    [EXPORT::O]

    [EXPORT::R]

    [EXPORT::M/N]

    [EXPORT::H]

Layout information

Layout information controls whether the overall data file is displayed as single or multiple files or records. The options are:
  • LAYOUT = SINGLE_REC
  • LAYOUT = MULTI_REC

This variable is not mandatory.

Type

Type defines whether it is an import or export file. The two options are:
  • TYPE = READ
  • TYPE = WRITE

This variable is not mandatory.

File format

The File format variable has these optional values:
  • FILEFORMAT = SEPARATED

    Separated means that the fields in the data file are separated by a defined delimiter (refer to paragraph 3.1.6).

  • FILEFORMAT = FIXED

    Fixed means that the fields in the data file are placed in fixed character positions.

This variable is mandatory.

Record ID number

The Record ID number is the number of the field identifying the record. There are four different record types in the regular M3 PWB order transfer: O, R, M/N and H. The Record ID occupies the first field in the standard parameter file.

This variable is mandatory.

Delimiter sign

The delimiter sign is only used if the file formats must be kept separate. You can use any character or sign as a delimiter. Nevertheless, if you include it in data or character string fields, then it is interpreted as an extra field.

This variable is not mandatory. If the variable is not defined, then M3 PWB uses the quotation sign defined in the PARA module in the Parameters File Interface menu.

Quotes around strings

This variable defines whether character strings in the data file are surrounded by quotations. You can use quotations with characters or signs but not with data and character string fields.

This variable is not mandatory. If the variable is not defined, then M3 PWB uses the quotation sign defined in the PARA module in the Parameters File Interface menu.

Standard length

Standard length defines the normal length of fields. It is especially useful when the file format is fixed.

In the field definition, you define the length of a field. With the a fixed file format you must define the length of all fields with the standard length for a data type or by individual definition of the individual fields (over-writing the standard length).

You have these options:
  • DEF_SHORT_LEN
  • DEF_LONG_LEN
  • DEF_FLOAT_LEN
  • DEF_DATE_LEN
  • DEF_TIME_LEN

This variable is not mandatory.

Commentary line

A comment line always begins with a [ ! ]. The data here is treated as information only.