Transferring data from a stream file to a database file

1. Establish a connection to the system.
2. Map a network drive to the appropriate path in the IBM i file system.
3. From the IBM i Access for Windows window, click Data Transfer To IBM i.
4. Select the PC file name that you want to transfer. For the PC file name, you can choose Browse for the network drive you assigned, and choose a stream file. You can also use a stream file located on the PC itself.
5. Select the system on which you want the externally described database file to be located.
6. Click Transfer data to IBM i to run the file transfer.
   Note: If you are moving data to an existing database file definition on the system, the Data Transfer to IBM i application requires you to use an associated format description file (FDF). A .FDF file describes the format of a stream file, and is created by the Data Transfer from IBM i application when data is transferred from a database file to a stream file. To complete the transfer of data from a stream file to a database file, click Transfer data to IBM i. If an existing .FDF file is not available, you can quickly create a .FDF file.

You can also perform this data movement in a batch job with the data transfer applications. Proceed as above, but select the File menu option to save the transfer request. The Data Transfer To IBM i application creates a .DTT or a .TFR file. The Data Transfer From IBM i application creates a .DTF or a .TTO file. In the IBM i Access Family directory, two programs can be run in batch from a command line:

• RTOPCB takes either a .DTF or a .TTO file as a parameter
• RFROMPCB takes either a .DTT or a .TFR file as a parameter

You can set either of these commands to run on a scheduled basis by using a scheduler application. For example, you can use the System Agent Tool (a part of the Microsoft Plus Pack) to specify the program to run (for instance, RTOPCB MYFILE.TTO) and the time at which you want to run the program.