Data Conversion APIs

The data conversion APIs are:

• Code Conversion (iconv()) converts a buffer of characters from one coded character set identifier (CCSID) into another CCSID.
• Code Conversion Allocation (QtqIconvOpen()) performs the necessary initializations to convert character encodings and returns a conversion descriptor.
• Code Conversion Allocation (iconv_open()) performs the necessary initializations to convert character encodings and returns a conversion descriptor of type iconv_t.
• Code Conversion Deallocation (iconv_close()) closes the conversion descriptor cd that was initialized by the iconv_open() or QtqIconvOpen() function.
• Convert Data (QDCXLATE) converts data through the use of a table object.

The following code conversion APIs are designed to meet the X/Open industry standard functions (formerly Spec 1170).

• iconv()
• iconv_open()
• iconv_close()

Note: The QtqIconvOpen() function does not meet the X/Open industry standard.

The three-step conversion provided by the code conversion APIs allows applications to:

• Open a conversion descriptor with a specified CCSID pair (iconv_open() or QtqIconvOpen() function)
• Do multiple conversions (iconv() function)
• Close the conversion descriptor when done (iconv_close() function)

This reduces the overhead for applications that need to do multiple conversions using the same CCSID pairs. These functions are carried out on the iSeries^(TM) system as entry points in a bindable Integrated Language Environment (ILE) service program.

Note: The CDRA API, Convert a Graphic Character String (CDRCVRT), converts a graphic character data string from one CCSID to another CCSID.