XML Conversion

DataDirect XML Converters™ Support for SEF

DataDirect XML Converters™ supports the EDI Standard Exchange Format (SEF), an "open" standard that allows you to describe proprietary EDI message types. You can create a SEF extension file, which contains the definitions of your enterprise's custom EDI message types, and then use that file with DataDirect XML Converters™ when converting your EDI files to XML, and vice versa.

SEF Guidelines

To help you work with the SEF standard, we have provided a copy of the EDI Standard Exchange Format for Exchanging EDI Implementation Guidelines, which you can find here.

To view the EDI Standard Exchange Format for Exchanging EDI Implementation Guidelines, which is in PDF, you need Adobe Acrobat Reader Version 4.0 or later. You can download the free Adobe Acrobat Reader here.

SEF Example

This example shows how to use a extension file to convert EDI messages using a proprietary format. The SEF file used in this example adds 99 as a permitted code value in the 353 element of segment BGN in transaction set 831.

The URL of the SEF file is specified in the user= parameter of the converter: URL. It is also possible to specify the SEF file name as a relative pathname. If DataDirect XML Converters™ has been installed in a directory PRODUCT_PATH, and the EDI converter: URL contains user=relative.sef, then the SEF file will be found at PRODUCT_PATH/lib/CustomEDI/relative.sef.

Java Sample Code

    try{
        String sefUrl = new File(exampleDir + "proprietary.sef").toURI().toString();
        String ediUrl = "converter:EDI:user=" + sefUrl;
        Source converterSource = new StreamSource(exampleDir + "proprietary.x12");
        Result converterResult = new StreamResult("proprietary.xml");
        Converter toXml = factory.newConvertToXML(ediUrl);
        toXml.convert(converterSource, converterResult);
        System.out.println("toXML finished: proprietary.x12 -> proprietary.xml");
        }
    catch (Exception e)
        {
        System.out.println("toXML failed with exception: " + e);
        }

C# Sample Code for .NET

    try{
         XmlUrlResolver resolver = new XmlUrlResolver();
         Uri sefUri = resolver.ResolveUri(uriBase, "proprietary.sef");

         String ediUri = "converter:EDI:user=" + sefUri;
         Source converterSource = new UriSource(exampleDir + "proprietary.x12");
         Result converterResult = new UriResult("proprietary.xml");
         Converter toXml = factory.CreateConvertToXml(ediUri);
         toXml.Convert(converterSource, converterResult);
         Console.WriteLine("toXML finished: proprietary.x12 -> proprietary.xml");
    }
    catch (Exception e)
    {
         Console.WriteLine("toXML failed with exception: " + e);
    }

Buy DataDirect XML Converters™ Now!

Don't miss out on the amazingly low prices of DataDirect XML Converters™. Visit our online shop to buy now.

What's Annual Maintenance?

Annual Maintainence can save you a lot of money by providing you with free upgrade(s) to the latest releases of DataDirect XML Converters™. It is the smart choice of businesses and individuals seeking to benefit from the latest software, at the lowest possible price. Get it now!

Contact An Account Representative Today

Do you ever just want to speak with someone in person to get all of your questions answered? Well our account reps are here to help. If you have any questions about purchasing or licensing, then give us a call at: 1-800-876-3101 (North America)
44 (0) 1753 218930 (World). Or you can simply request more information online.