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neilxt · Beginner Joined: 01 Mar 2004 Posts: 23 Topics: 1

I have this project one part of which requires getting acces to an HTTP file from a government web site and using the contents in a COBOL program on the mainframe. The file in question is ...
http://www.ffiec.gov/ratespread/YieldTable.csv

I can parse the CSV just fine, I can download the file manually just fine. But I relly nead an outomated process that our schedulers can handle and I'm having awful problems finding anyone on our server side who can help me set this up.

Is there any way to do this direct from the mainframe? I've tried using FTP but since it's not GETting from an FTP server it fails.

superk · Advanced Joined: 19 Dec 2002 Posts: 684 Topics: 5

Well, since my previous position was at a health care company, we had to do this task many times every day to retrieve reports from Medicaid agencies. There was no method we could find other than manually using the browser to access the web site and perform a download to the user's C: drive. As of a year ago, we were not able to find any available HTTP screen-scraper software that would work for this. My gut feeling is that any potential product would most likely NOT be designed for the mainframe, but rather a Windows environment.

In my current position, we are starting to work with a product called Formula by Managed Objects. One of their newest add-ons is a product that is designed to test and validate web-based transactions. This new product can access a web site, login, navigate menus, and perform just about any task. I don't know yet if it can actually retrieve data and store it somewhere, but I believe it does have that capability.

neilxt · Beginner Joined: 01 Mar 2004 Posts: 23 Topics: 1

Bithead · Posted: Wed May 12, 2004 2:50 pm Post subject:

I haven't tried it but it might be done using REXX sockets. Do a search on the internet. Bear in mind that the mainframe might have to get thru your filewall.

powerhawk · Posted: Fri Dec 10, 2004 3:03 am Post subject:

Late answer.
We use CALL 'EZASOKET' and it seems to work fine. I have a 1000 statement test program if someone want to see. REXX sockets can also be used. I had a test program quite recently but I can't find it for the moment.

semigeezer · Posted: Fri Dec 10, 2004 10:30 am Post subject:

port wget to uss

Mike Chantrey · Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2004 12:36 pm Post subject:

Just for info, although not relevant in this specific case, CICS/TS V3.1 (due out in about 6 months) directly supports outbound http requests.

powerhawk · Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2004 3:20 am Post subject:

To semigeezer: Do you mean you want the source?
To Mike: Yeah, we will get it quite soon. I see forward to that event!

semigeezer · Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2004 4:04 am Post subject:

no. wget is a tool that runs on Unix systems to get data over http. It is open source so you can port it to USS. I use it every day on Windows and Linux. Very easy. You just say wget http://wuatever-your-url-is and it retrieves it.

Unfortunately, I don't see it listed as having already been ported to USS at IBM's ported unix tools page http://www-1.ibm.com/servers/eserver/zseries/zos/unix/bpxa1toy.html

SureshKumar · Intermediate Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Posts: 211 Topics: 21

Powerhawk,
Can you please post your test program. Would like to test using EZASOKET. Thanks

powerhawk · Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2004 4:36 am Post subject:

Here is the source. I'm not the author so don't blame me for the GO TO statements. All comments are in swedish. Sample of the JCL is in the comments. The program input is in the SYSIN file like port, IP-adress, message to send and so on. IP-adresses and input data are modified for security resons.
[code:1:428af0fd14]
*---------------------------------------------------------------
IDENTIFICATION DIVISION.
PROGRAM-ID. UC03T1.

*---------------------------------------------------------------
* Modul: UC03T1 (IP-Socket-Client)
*
* Funktion: Programmet