Sort Simulator

Carreker's Sort Simulator™ is a PC-based product used to emulate the IBM 3890 processing of a previously captured document codeline. By using the same sort program for capture and post-capture processing, Sort Simulator eliminates the need to maintain a separate "non-3890" edit program.

The Sort Simulator program runs at a PC workstation and acts in the same way as a host-attached document processor. You can use the product to support applications such as image workstations, reject repair, or on-line reject reentry.

Sort Simulator connects to a host computer or another PC workstation through the OS/2 implementation of the Advanced Program-to-Program Communication (APPC) interface. The SNA nodes used by APPC can be on remote systems connected by a Token-Ring Network or a Synchronous Data Link Control (SDLC) link. The nodes must be configured for the APPC interface, which all 3890/XP Series document processors support.

Sort Simulator accepts initialization data and codeline data match data from a host application program and sends read records to the host program. It re-creates the operating environment of the 3890/XP and can process sort programs at any of the following sort program execution (SPX) events:

• Initialization
  
• Document
  
• Motors stopped

(Sort Simulator does not support the operator or pause SPX events.)

DESCRIPTION

To communicate with Sort Simulator, a host application must:

• Provide 3890/XP initialization data for the desired sort program. The initialization data must specify codeline data match mode and debug mode.
• Provide codeline data match records in the format prescribed by the 3890/XP. Sort Simulator processes each codeline data match record as an actual document by invoking the necessary sort program processing and returning the resultant read record to the host application.
• Process the read records returned by Sort Simulator.

Sort Simulator runs sort programs that are written in stacker control instructions (SCI) and OS/2 high-level languages, as supported by the 3890/XP Series. It has the functions of the 3890/XP's sorter control program, but it does not require an attached document transport module.

Sort Simulator typically runs in batch mode on an unattended PC strictly for processing documents sent by the host application.

Sort Simulator can also run in user interface mode that lets you create and change the profile files that are necessary for sort program processing. The program also validates these profiles as you create or change them. A run summary screen indicates the processing status while Sort Simulator is running. The user interface runs under the Presentation Manager of OS/2.

Sort Simulator displays information, warning, and error messages as it runs. In user interface mode, messages appear as pop-up windows. If you need help after getting one of these messages, you can request help from the pop-up window. You can use the Get Message Help function to get help text for any error or warning message at any time. In batch mode, Sort Simulator writes messages to STDERR.

STDERR messages normally appear on your display; however, through OS/2 facilities, you may route STDERR messages to a file. If you need help after getting a message in batch mode, you can, at an OS/2 prompt, enter HELP EKRxxxx, where xxxx is the number of the message with which you need help.

FEATURES

• Returns the editing and pocket decisions from the sort program to calling Application
• Supports SCI and OS/2 supported languages
  • "C"
  • COBOL
  • Macro Assembler
• Required HPTS Image workstation support
• Eliminates need for multiple edit programs
• Uses LU6.2 protocol

For more information about this solution, contact Doug Halvorsen at 704.602.5335 or complete our Information Request Form.