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1 -Character set
1 +novice-file-based-connectivity-processing-a-file-per-line
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1 1  {{container}}{{container layoutStyle="columns"}}(((
2 -n some cases, the input you receive or the output that you need to send to an external party cannot handle all characters or the input or output is written with the help of a character set. In this microlearning, we will learn how you can define the character set for file-based connectivity to ensure that you can process and deliver files according to the specifications.
2 +In this microlearning, we will learn how you can define a header line in which you specify the naming of the various columns. Some external systems require a header line when you supply them with data via a flat file that is placed somewhere.
3 3  
4 4  Should you have any questions, please contact [[academy@emagiz.com>>mailto:academy@emagiz.com]].
5 5  
6 -* Last update: May 31th, 2021
7 -* Required reading time: 7 minutes
6 +* Last update: May 28th, 2021
7 +* Required reading time: 5 minutes
8 8  
9 9  == 1. Prerequisites ==
10 10  
... ... @@ -12,56 +12,59 @@
12 12  
13 13  == 2. Key concepts ==
14 14  
15 -This microlearning centers around learning how to define the character set to ensure that eMagiz processes the information correctly.
15 +This microlearning centers around learning how to place a header line on a flat-file output.
16 16  
17 -By character set, we mean: The composite number of different characters that are being used and supported by computer software and hardware. It consists of codes, bit patterns, or natural numbers used in defining some particular character.
17 +By header line we mean: A line in the output that defines the naming of the various columns
18 18  
19 -* Some external system talk in a different character set
20 -* eMagiz talks in default UTF-8 as a character set and assumes everyone else also does this
21 -* In cases of mismatch correct is at the point where you talk with the other system (i.e. entry or exit)
19 +Some external parties require that the first line in the flat file output (i.e. CSV) is filled with column names (i.e. headers). In eMagiz, we call this line a header line.
22 22  
23 -== 3. Character set ==
21 +== 3. Header line ==
24 24  
25 -In some cases, the input you receive or the output that you need to send to an external party cannot handle all characters or the input or output is written with the help of a character set. In this microlearning, we will learn how you can define the character set for file-based connectivity to ensure that you can process and deliver files according to the specifications.
23 +In this microlearning, we will learn how you can define a header line in which you specify the naming of the various columns. Some external systems require a header line when you supply them with data via a flat file that is placed somewhere. The header line is the first line in the flat file output. Within this line, the various column names are specified for clarity.
26 26  
27 -Sometimes external systems only talk in a specific character set. To ensure that all the data is properly communicated between eMagiz and the other system we need to make sure that we define which character set that is so we can tell it to eMagiz via a component. That way eMagiz will deviate from its default (i.e. UTF-8) and will process the file according to that different character set. In practice, we mainly see windows-1252 as an alternative that pops up once in a while. In various components that deal with file handling, you can define the character set on which eMagiz should act. Examples of such components are:
25 +To add such a header line in eMagiz you need to navigate to the Create phase of eMagiz and open the exit flow in which you want to drop the file to a certain location. Within the context of this flow, we need to add functionality that will ensure that a header line is written to the output before any functional lines are added. To do so first enter "Start Editing" mode on flow level. After you have done so please add a file outbound channel adapter to the flow including an input channel. We will use this component to write our header line to the flat file output.
28 28  
29 -- File to string transformer
30 -- Flat file to XML transformer
31 -- File outbound channel adapter
27 +Ensure that the directory to which you reference is the same as in your functional file outbound channel adapter.
32 32  
33 -In all these components you have the option to define the character set within the Advanced tab of the component. In this microlearning, we will use the File to string transformer to illustrate how that will look.
29 +[[image:Main.Images.Microlearning.WebHome@novice-file-based-connectivity-header-line--file-outbound-channel-header-line.png]]
34 34  
35 -[[image:Main.Images.Microlearning.WebHome@novice-file-based-connectivity-characterset--characterset-configuration.png]]
31 +Now it is time to turn our attention to the Advanced tab. For the Mode select Ignore. Select this option to ensure that the header line is only written down once when there is no output created yet and not somewhere in the middle, in the end, or every time. Furthermore, select the option Append New Line to ensure that the remainder of the information is not appended to the same line.
36 36  
37 -In this field, you can define the character set of your choice. To make this work in eMagiz you need to navigate to the Create phase of eMagiz and open the entry flow in which you want to retrieve the file to a certain location. Within the context of this flow, we need to add functionality that will ensure that the correct character set is used. To do so first enter "Start Editing" mode on flow level. After that open, the File to string transformer, navigate to the Advanced tab, and fill in the correct character set. After you have defined the correct character set the only thing left to do is to Save the component. See the suggested additional readings section on the complete list of character sets that are supported by Java 8.
33 +[[image:Main.Images.Microlearning.WebHome@novice-file-based-connectivity-header-line--file-outbound-channel-header-line-advanced.png]]
38 38  
39 -Congratulations you have successfully learned how to specify the character set.
35 +After you have done so we need to add a standard transformer that defines the various column names to be written to the flat file output. To do so add the standard transformer component to the canvas including an input channel. After you have done so define the relevant SpEL expression. In this case, we advise using a property value that represents a string of column names. The value of the property should be something as follows:
40 40  
37 +'Header1;Header2;Header3;Header4'
38 +
39 +Do note that the separator, in this case, needs to match the requirements of the external system. At the flow configuration level, the standard transformer should look as follows.
40 +
41 +[[image:Main.Images.Microlearning.WebHome@novice-file-based-connectivity-header-line--define-columns-names.png]]
42 +
43 +Our last step is to ensure that this piece of logic is tied to the main flow and is executed before writing the functional line(s) to the output file. To make that happen we need to add a wiretap to the flow. With the help of this functionality, you can define which part of the logic takes precedence over another part of the logic. To do so double click on the channel on which you want to place a wiretap, select the option wiretap and select the correct wiretap channel. After you have done this the result should be something as follows:
44 +
45 +[[image:Main.Images.Microlearning.WebHome@novice-file-based-connectivity-header-line--wiretap-result.png]]
46 +
47 +With these couple of steps, you have now successfully added logic to your flow that will ensure that a header line is added before any functional line(s) are written to the output file.
48 +
41 41  == 4. Assignment ==
42 42  
43 -Configure an entry in which you define the component and configuration needed to process a file on a per-line basis.
51 +Configure an exit in which you define and write a header line to a flat-file output before adding functional lines.
44 44  This assignment can be completed with the help of the (Academy) project that you have created/used in the previous assignment.
45 45  
46 46  == 5. Key takeaways ==
47 47  
48 -* Some external system talk in a different character set
49 -* eMagiz talks in default UTF-8 as a character set and assumes everyone else also does this
50 -* In cases of mismatch correct is at the point where you talk with the other system (i.e. entry or exit)
51 -* eMagiz provides several components within which you can define the character set
56 +* The header line contains the names of the columns of the flat file output
57 +* Use the Ignore mode to ensure the header line is created once
58 +* Use the wiretap to ensure the header line is created first
52 52  
53 53  == 6. Suggested Additional Readings ==
54 54  
55 -If you are interested in this topic and want more information on it please read the help text provided by eMagiz and read the following links:
62 +There are no suggested additional readings on this topic
56 56  
57 -* https://docs.oracle.com/javase/8/docs/technotes/guides/intl/encoding.doc.html
58 -* https://www.techopedia.com/definition/941/character-set
59 -* https://www.smashingmagazine.com/2012/06/all-about-unicode-utf8-character-sets/
60 -
61 61  == 7. Silent demonstration video ==
62 62  
63 63  This video demonstrates how you could have handled the assignment and gives you some context on what you have just learned.
64 64  
65 -{{video attachment="novice-file-based-connectivity-characterset.mp4" reference="Main.Videos.Microlearning.WebHome"/}}
68 +{{video attachment="novice-file-based-connectivity-header-line.mp4" reference="Main.Videos.Microlearning.WebHome"/}}
66 66  
67 67  )))((({{toc/}}))){{/container}}{{/container}}