ChangeMan ZMF Interface Comparison

ChangeMan ZMF supports following interfaces:

• Interactive ISPF end-user and administrator panels

• Interactive and batch-mode programming clients (SDKs) for XML Services — including SERXMLAC, SERXMLBC, SERXMLCC, SERXMLRC, and XMLSERV

Of these, the interactive ISPF interface is functionally comprehensive. User tasks are presented at a high level; many low-level software functions might take place behind the scenes to accomplish a “simple” high-level ISPF request. The ISPF interface also builds in robust data validation features on every panel. No other interface provides this level of data validation support.

No one-to-one mapping exists between XML Services interface functions and ISPF interface functions, although similarities are apparent. The XML Services interface targets a lower level of internal function than does ISPF, and is more directly shaped by underlying database implementations and service object technology. Consequently, ISPF-based intuitions may not always apply to XML Services. In addition, XML Services includes no built-in data validation.

Caution

Data validation is the responsibility of XML Services customers. XML Services provides no built-in data validation. All ISPF tables that are available to the ISPF interface to ChangeMan ZMF are not necessarily available to the corresponding functions that are performed with the Serena XML Services. Furthermore, the target XML Services do not need these tables to perform their functions correctly. Using the XMLWARN facility can provide further information concerning data validation, as documented in Warn - XML Tag Name Warning.

ChangeMan ZMF interface differences are summarized in the following table:

Interface	Interactive	Reusable Batch Jobs	Functional Coverage	Data Validation
ISPF	Yes	No	Complete, high-level	Yes
XML Services batch clients (SERXMLAC, SERXMLBC, SERXMLCC, SERXMLRC)	No	Yes	XML, COBOL, REXX, Assembler	No
XML Services interactive client (XMLSERV)	Yes	Yes	XML	No