File Interfaces

File-based integrations provide the ability to exchange files with third-party systems or legacy systems that do not support messaging. Files are exchanged using file layouts or PeopleSoft Application Engine programs. File layouts are used to graphically define where data is located in a file. The file definition layout is then accessible to the PeopleSoft Application Engine program to import or export the file.

The PeopleCode File class provides methods and properties for reading from and writing to external files. Most application interfaces to files require complex parsing of file data. Files that allow for this kind of complexity in a PeopleSoft application are based on a File interface.

A File Interface is a definition (or mapping) of a file to be processed. It identifies where data fields are located in the file. This powerful interface enables application developers to access data from a file as they would a message or a page buffer (scroll). There is no need to parse each file record into fields.

File interfaces are unique to a specific format and may only process that particular type of formatted file. The definition created in Application Designer retains a consistent look and feel regardless of format.

File layouts support the following file types:

• Fixed format sequential files.

• Comma delimited files.

• XML files.