Host Access Made Easy
Flex Host Access
Library and Terminal
Control
for developing custom applications
via host integration
.NET Host Integration Platform
Flex Host Access Library offers a programmatic solution for integrating with host applications. This integration method is often known as screen scraping, which essentially involves extracting data from a host application to be used elsewhere.
Benefits of Flex Host Access Library:
Noninvasive Integration
One of the key advantages of using Flex Host Access Library is its noninvasive nature. This means that developers can interact with host applications without altering the underlying back-end systems. This approach is particularly beneficial as it reduces the risk of introducing errors or disrupting existing functionalities.
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Improved User Experience
By leveraging Flex Host Access Library, developers can enhance the user experience significantly. This is achieved by creating applications that can seamlessly interact with existing host systems, providing users with a more intuitive and efficient interface.
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Quick and Easy Development
The library facilitates rapid development by offering straightforward integration methods. Developers can quickly create applications that interface with host systems, speeding up the development process and allowing for faster deployment.
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Use Cases:
Modernizing Legacy Systems
Organizations with legacy systems can use Flex Host Access Library to modernize their applications without undertaking costly and time-consuming overhauls. By screen scraping data, they can integrate modern user interfaces with old systems, providing a fresh experience for users.
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Automating Data Entry
The library can be used to automate repetitive data entry tasks. By programmatically retrieving and inputting data, organizations can increase efficiency and reduce the likelihood of human error.
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Data Analysis
For businesses that rely on data analysis, Flex Host Access Library can extract necessary data from host applications for deeper analysis. This can lead to more informed decision-making and strategic planning.
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Conclusion
Flex Host Access Library is a powerful tool for developers looking to integrate with host applications without the need for invasive changes. By adopting this approach, organizations can enhance user experiences, streamline development processes, and modernize their IT infrastructure efficiently.
Based on OHIO Specification
The Open Host Interface Objects for TN3270E (OHIO) specification as defined in the Internet Engineering Task Force draft provides a set of classes, methods, properties and events that allow developers to programmatically access IBM Z (mainframe), IBM i (AS/400) and Open Systems (Unix/Linux) host applications.
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OHIO addresses the need for a standardized advanced programming interface to host data, without the need to modify the host protocol or data stream, but instead provides common access methods to the data once it arrives from the host. It uses an object oriented, hierarchal approach to divide the host data into logical objects, providing methods on those objects to allow standard access to the host data.
Sample Demo Apps
Provided are three sample applications with the source code, which may be used as a starting point for developers to write their own host integration application. These include C# Forms, VB.Net Forms and C# WPF.
