Data integration in Control Language (CL) involves combining data from different sources and providing a unified view. This is crucial for tasks such as reporting, data analysis, and ensuring data consistency across systems. In this section, we will explore various techniques and commands in CL that facilitate data integration.

Key Concepts

  1. Data Sources: Understanding the different types of data sources (e.g., databases, files, external systems).
  2. Data Transformation: Techniques to transform data into a consistent format.
  3. Data Loading: Methods to load data into target systems.
  4. Error Handling: Ensuring data integrity and handling errors during integration.

Data Sources

Databases

Databases are a common source of data. CL can interact with databases using SQL commands or through specific CL commands designed for database operations.

Files

Files, such as CSV or text files, are another common data source. CL provides commands to read from and write to files.

External Systems

Data can also come from external systems via APIs or network communication. CL can call external programs or use network commands to fetch data.

Data Transformation

Data transformation involves converting data from its source format to a target format. This may include:

  • Data Cleaning: Removing or correcting erroneous data.
  • Data Mapping: Mapping data fields from the source to the target.
  • Data Aggregation: Summarizing data (e.g., calculating totals or averages).

Example: Data Cleaning

/* Example CL program to clean data */
PGM
   DCL VAR(&RAW_DATA) TYPE(*CHAR) LEN(100)
   DCL VAR(&CLEAN_DATA) TYPE(*CHAR) LEN(100)

   /* Read raw data */
   RCVF

   /* Remove leading and trailing spaces */
   CHGVAR VAR(&CLEAN_DATA) VALUE(%TRIM(&RAW_DATA))

   /* Write clean data to output file */
   SNDF (&CLEAN_DATA)

ENDPGM

Data Loading

Loading data into the target system can be done using various CL commands. For databases, SQL commands are often used.

Example: Loading Data into a Database

/* Example CL program to load data into a database */
PGM
   DCL VAR(&SQL_CMD) TYPE(*CHAR) LEN(500)

   /* SQL command to insert data */
   CHGVAR VAR(&SQL_CMD) VALUE('INSERT INTO my_table (col1, col2) VALUES (''value1'', ''value2'')')

   /* Execute SQL command */
   RUNSQL SQL(&SQL_CMD)

ENDPGM

Error Handling

Error handling is crucial to ensure data integrity during integration. CL provides commands to handle errors and log them for further analysis.

Example: Error Handling

/* Example CL program with error handling */
PGM
   DCL VAR(&SQL_CMD) TYPE(*CHAR) LEN(500)
   DCL VAR(&ERR_MSG) TYPE(*CHAR) LEN(100)

   /* SQL command to insert data */
   CHGVAR VAR(&SQL_CMD) VALUE('INSERT INTO my_table (col1, col2) VALUES (''value1'', ''value2'')')

   /* Execute SQL command with error handling */
   MONMSG MSGID(CPF0000) EXEC(DO)
      RCVMSG MSGTYPE(*EXCP) MSGDTA(&ERR_MSG)
      SNDPGMMSG MSG(&ERR_MSG)
   ENDDO

   RUNSQL SQL(&SQL_CMD)

ENDPGM

Practical Exercise

Exercise: Integrate Data from a CSV File into a Database

  1. Objective: Write a CL program to read data from a CSV file and insert it into a database table.
  2. Steps:
    • Read data from the CSV file.
    • Clean and transform the data.
    • Insert the data into the database table.
    • Handle any errors that occur during the process.

Solution

/* CL program to integrate data from a CSV file into a database */
PGM
   DCL VAR(&RAW_DATA) TYPE(*CHAR) LEN(100)
   DCL VAR(&CLEAN_DATA) TYPE(*CHAR) LEN(100)
   DCL VAR(&SQL_CMD) TYPE(*CHAR) LEN(500)
   DCL VAR(&ERR_MSG) TYPE(*CHAR) LEN(100)

   /* Open the CSV file */
   OVRDBF FILE(INPUT) TOFILE(MYLIB/MYCSVFILE)

   /* Read each record from the CSV file */
   RCVF
   MONMSG MSGID(CPF0864) EXEC(GOTO CMDLBL(END))

   /* Clean and transform the data */
   CHGVAR VAR(&CLEAN_DATA) VALUE(%TRIM(&RAW_DATA))

   /* Prepare SQL command to insert data */
   CHGVAR VAR(&SQL_CMD) VALUE('INSERT INTO my_table (col1, col2) VALUES (''' *CAT &CLEAN_DATA *TCAT ''')')

   /* Execute SQL command with error handling */
   MONMSG MSGID(CPF0000) EXEC(DO)
      RCVMSG MSGTYPE(*EXCP) MSGDTA(&ERR_MSG)
      SNDPGMMSG MSG(&ERR_MSG)
   ENDDO

   RUNSQL SQL(&SQL_CMD)

   /* Loop to read next record */
   GOTO CMDLBL(RCVF)

END: ENDPGM

Summary

In this section, we covered the basics of data integration using CL. We explored different data sources, data transformation techniques, data loading methods, and error handling. By understanding these concepts, you can effectively integrate data from various sources into your systems, ensuring data consistency and reliability.

Next, we will delve into Case Studies to see real-world applications of the concepts learned in this course.

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