Version 9.5 SP1
 —  Software AG IDL Extractor for Natural  —

Introduction to the Software AG IDL Extractor for Natural


Scope

The Software AG IDL Extractor for Natural extracts a Software AG IDL definition from a Natural source in a Natural project in Eclipse, or from an object within a Natural RPC environment.

In a user-driven process supported by an extractor wizard (see Using the Software AG IDL Extractor for Natural), the interface of a Natural subprogram (CALLNAT) is extracted, optionally along with various features offered by the Design Interface for Natural Subprogram page modelled to a client interface.

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The result of this process is an IDL file and, optionally, a related client-side server mapping file (CVM) mapping the client interface to the Natural subprograms (CALLNATs):

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Extractor Wizard

The extractor wizard guides you through the extraction process and supports the following tasks:

The extractor wizard is described in a step-by-step tutorial; see Using the Software AG IDL Extractor for Natural.

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CVM File

The CVM file (client-side server mapping file) completes the IDL file with a mapping from the programming-language-neutral parameter definition in the IDL file to the parameters and data types expected by the Natural subprograms (CALLNATs). Extraction is only performed if it is needed. For information on when a CVM file is required, see When is a CVM File Required?.

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If a CVM file has to be extracted, a correct interpretation of the IDL file is only possible if the CVM file is also available. Therefore, a CVM file always has to kept in the same folder as its related the IDL file.

A CVM file contains:

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