32 Developing Web Services Using CICS, WMQ, and WMB
2.7.4 Data conversion
The data conversion model used by channel applications is much simpler than
the data conversion model used by COMMAREA applications. This is because
data conversion in COMMAREA applications is controlled by the system
programmer, whereas in channel applications it is controlled by the application
programmer using simple API commands.
Here are some cases where data conversion is necessary:
When character data is passed between platforms that use different encoding
standards—for example, EBCDIC, and ASCII.
When you want to change the encoding of some character data from one
Coded Character Set Identifier (CCSID) to another.
Applications that use Channels to exchan