Implementing EDI Solutions

Chapter 1. Introducing EDI technologies and products 23

The only other tab of importance in this quick beginnings setup is the WDI Proc Options tab.

Here the user is allowed to specify the delimiters used by WebSphere Data Interchange.

Figure 1-24 shows the default settings of ANY.

Figure 1-24 The WDI Proc Options tab of a Trading Partner profile

1.5.7 Concepts of the mapping editor

A data transformation map is a set of mapping instructions that describes how to translate

data from a source document into a target document. The order in which the mapping

instructions occur can be based on the source document (source-based mapping) or the

target document (target-based mapping). Both the source and target documents can be one

of several supported document types.

In this section, we discuss a number of techniques available in WebSphere Data Interchange

when creating a data transformation map. To open the Map Editor, use the button shown in

Figure 1-25 on the tool bar.

Figure 1-25 Tool bar button to open the Map Editor

Basic mapping by drag-and-drop

The Details tab in the Map Editor (Figure 1-26 on page 24) allows you to perform drag and

drop mapping on your documents. The top left pane in the window displays the source

document definition, and the top right pane displays the target document definition. The lower

left pane is the Mapping Command window pane, and the lower right pane is the Variables

window pane, which includes the lists for Global, Local, and Special Variables.

Click the element you want to map on the top left side of the window. While holding down the

mouse button, drag it to the corresponding element in the target document definition on the

top right pane. When you have dragged the element to the right side of the window over the

element with which you want to associate it, that component becomes highlighted. Release

the mouse button.

24 Implementing EDI Solutions

In a target-based map, the result of this action will be a MapFrom() command. Refer to the

example in the Mapping Command window below.

Figure 1-26 The different panes of the Mapping Editor

Mapping elements by assignment

A value can be assigned to any variable or any simple element in the target document

definition. This is accomplished using an assignment statement.

One method of creating an assignment statement is to right-click a node where you want to

insert the statement. In the context menu that is displayed, select Insert within -> Command

-> Assignment.

Chapter 1. Introducing EDI technologies and products 25

Figure 1-27 Adding an assignment to a map

The WebSphere Data Interchange Client then displays the Mapping Command Editor

(Figure 1-28).

Figure 1-28 Mapping command editor

Click the element to which you want to assign a value on the top right side of the window

shown in Figure 1-27. While holding down the mouse button, drag it over the path in the

Mapping Command Editor shown in Figure 1-28. To assign a value to the target element,

replace expression with a value. Be sure to place this value in single quotes. An example of

an assignment completed using this method is shown in Figure 1-29 on page 26.