A Comprehensive Guide to IBM WebSphere Host Publisher Version 3.5

568 IBM WebSphere Host Publisher Version 3.5

18.1 Overview

The XLGW provides an XML interface to host programs (3270, 5250) where

minimal host emulator programming skills are required to develop application

programs that will interface with available host programs. It also provides a

common data interface for re-use of programming techniques and tools (for

example, XSL processing of XML data) as well as a common interface for

exchange of data with other XML data sources.

Figure 18-1 XML Gateway architecture overview

In addition, the XLGW includes a sample servlet (HTML to Host emulator) that

can be used as a quick, out-of-the-box Web browser access to many 3270 and

5250 applications.

The sample servlet includes an administrative application to provide access via a

browser for creating a portal page. The created portal page provides easy

access to host systems so that end-user configuration is no longer needed.

The Host Publisher XML Legacy Gateway communicates with a host application

in XML data format, and optionally in HTML format. The XML data interface is

encapsulated using a JavaBean (xmlAppData). The XML data representing the

host application windows can be modified and integrated into other Java

applications, applets, JavaBeans, or servlets. Interaction with the host program

can be manipulated by Java using XML formatting and techniques.