CIM Data Format
Each program takes in data in groups. A group typically consists of input fields within a frame. When using a program interactively, you must click Next to move from one group to another. See
Determining Data for the Input File.
Data going into the CIM load must use the rules described in this section.
The
@@BATCHLOAD key word signals the beginning of the data-load group, consisting of one or more lines. Program name is the system program that will process the input data. For example, if item data is being loaded, the program name would be
ppptmt04.p (Item Data Maintenance, 1.4.3). See
CIM Data Input File Example.
All input data contained between each @@BATCHLOAD and @@END is one group, regardless of how many transactions are specified in the data section.
Limit the number of transactions to 50. Each transaction entry can involve the creation of many records. The more transactions in a transaction group, the more system resources are required for processing, and the greater the likelihood of errors.
An error in one transaction can put all transactions in a group out of sequence and prevent the system from processing that group. In cases where maintaining data integrity is vital and re-creating data difficult, you might limit the number of transactions to one.
Input File Formatting Rules
When creating your CIM input file, follow these formatting rules:
• Use a single line of data for each input request.
• To treat two consecutive input lines as a single line, place a tilde (~) at the end of the first line. The tilde (~) is not required if you create the CIM file in an editor. Place no characters, including spaces, after the tilde.
• Surround character fields with quotation marks.
• At the end of each input group, use a line feed. The end of an input line performs the same function as clicking Next (F1 in character UI). Fields for which there are no data and that come at the end of an input sequence do not require hyphens.
• Type all characters in lowercase, taking care to spell correctly.
• Use a hyphen (-) to Tab through a field, retaining the default or existing value. For example, to accept default data for fields 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7, and enter Yes, 12, and 01/01/02 for fields 4, 6, and 8, enter the following:
--- “yes” - “12” - “01/01/02”
• Format data as it is entered.
• Use a period on a line by itself to indicate End or End-Error.
For repeated input (that is, multilevel), use the period to go back one level. This executes the End command.
• Use slashes (/) where needed. These are not required.
• Make sure the date format in the CIM file matches the date format specified in the Progress session startup parameters (‑d parameter).
• Use a caret (^) to indicate a null value.