Unicode and Multi-Byte Character Set Support for Translation for XCOM

Products

• XCOM Data Transport
• XCOM Data Transport - Windows
• XCOM Data Transport - Linux PC
• XCOM Data Transport - z/OS

Issue/Introduction

This document summarizes the Unicode and Multi-Byte Character Set Support feature for XCOM Data Transport, the parameters used to support it, how to use it and answers a few basic questions about it.

You can use Unicode to:

• Transfer text files that are encoded using multi-byte character sets
• Transfer text files and convert them into another character set without the need to code custom translation tables.

Environment

Release: XCOM Data Transport for z/OS  11.6, 12.0

Component: xcmvs, 

Resolution

How do I use it?

These are the parameters used for Unicode support.

1. There are two values supported for the existing CODE parameter - UTF8 or UTF16 format.
   
   
2. There are two parameters, LOCAL_CHARSET and REMOTE_CHARSET which allow you to specify the character-set of the local and remote files for the transfer.
   
   
3. The MBCS_INPUTERROR and MBCS_CONVERROR parameters allow you to specify what action is taken in the event of a conversion error. If not specified the value of DEFAULT_INPUTERROR and DEFAULT_CONVERROR parameter values will be used.
   
   
4. LOCAL_DELIM and REMOTE_DELIM are used to specify the encoding scheme that the corresponding character-set uses and a list of delimiters which exists within the data as record separators.

Both XCOM partners must be running r11.6 or higher.

How is the translation being done? Do I still have to provide tables?

No, you do not have to provide any tables.

• On z/OS, XCOM is using IBM Unicode Services to perform data conversion functions.
  
  
• On Windows and Unix and Linux, XCOM is using the ICU (International Components for Unicode) toolkit to perform data conversion functions.

Where can I find out more?

You can find out more from the online documentation. 

XCOM for z/OS Unicode Transfers 

XCOM for Unix and Linux Unicode and Multi-Byte Character Set Support for Data Transfer

XCOM for Windows How to Support Unicode and Multi-Byte Character Sets for Data Transfer

Does it replace translation tables?

Translation tables may still be used. However going forward use of the new Unicode support is a better way to handle translation for any language.

Use of Unicode would alleviate you having to keep translate tables up to date or the need for any new ones or calling support for help with a translation table.

You can setup and use the new Unicode support without having to remove your existing translate tables.

Is this support available on all XCOM platforms?

Unicode support and Multi-Byte Character set support are available in XCOM platforms starting with the 11.6 level.