@ZOS_USER_NW

This link described the current zCEE capability in terms of support for depending on type clause

https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/en/SS4SVW_3.0.0/designing/service_cobol2json.html

For example

OCCURS n TO m TIMES DEPENDING ON t PIC X

@edwardz10

For a single dimensional array, I am able to use ODO and it gets transformed to JSON correctly. But we have our existing layout used in web service that needed more than one dimensional array. For example: Account details: [ Account 1 Policy details [ Policy 1 Policy 2 ] Account 2 Policy details [ Policy 3 Policy 4 ] ] In Web service world, I am able to define Account level container and Policy level container. First I put Policy 1 (Policy container) followed by Policy 2 (Policy container) followed by Account 1 (Account container). Similarly for the next account. Do we have such facility in z/OS connect EE. Cobol restricts me to use nested variable arrays.

Similar question if this is of any help https://developer.ibm.com/answers/questions/498304/zos-connect-how-to-handle-nested-occurs-depending/

@ZOS_USER_NW @Chandrab

Have a look at

http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?crawler=1&uid=swg1PH13344

This APAR delivers the following new functionality: The z/OS Connect EE API toolkit has been enhanced with the capability to allow numeric service fields to be defined as counters for fixed and variable length arrays. Counter fields for arrays are used to optimize the request and response JSON for services. This also requires API Toolkit V3.0.6.7 or V3.2.6.7.

The PTFs for this APAR should be available in a week or so.

The above may help with what you want to do.

When the PTFs become available the whats new section of the zCEE KC will have info about the above change

Thanks @Chandrab

@edwardz10: Thanks for your answer. So you mean to say that the APAR will be able to identify the count of nested array as well? For example: 03 AccountCount PIC 9(03). 03 PolicyCount PIC 9(03). 03 AccountData occurs 0 to 5 times depending on AccountCount. 05 AccountNumber PIC 9(10). 05 PolicyData occurs 0 to 5 times depending on PolicyCount. 10 PolicyNumber PIC 9(12).

I had to move PolicyCount before AccountData as Cobol does not allow. But PolicyCount can vary for each AccountData. Is there anyway I can communicate from Cobol so z/OS connect EE will get varied PolicyCount for each AccountData? In WSDL world, we were able to do that.

@ZOS_USER_NW @Chandrab

My understanding is that in the Service project editor in the API Toolkit, you will be able to say that a numeric field contains a value that specifies how many entries there are in an array. This variable would be different from the variable used in the occurring depending on clause if used.

It's probably best to wait for the PTFs to ship, which should be soon, and then see the new doc in the zCEE KC to get detailed info about what this new capability will provide. Should happen in next week or two I believe.

I appreciate it's a bit frustrating to have to wait for the KC update, but I'd rather not try to briefly explain here how this will work, as there should be a more comprehensive explanation in the KC in due course.

@ZOS_USER_NW @Chandrab

Sounds like it should solve our issue. Will wait for the PTF to arrive. Thanks for the update.

@ZOS_USER_NW @Chandrab

Just published in the z/OS Connect EE documentation:

Defining service fields

See documentation under heading:

Defining array counters

Have a read and a try out and see if this enhancement will do what you do need. If it does not, let us know.

@ZOS_USER_NW Was this new capability what you were looking for ?

@edwardz10 I am not able to try this option due to compatibility issues with my server. I get BAQR7085E. Our server is V3.0.20. We are waiting for up gradation.