Create a format description file

If you are moving data to an existing database file definition on the server, the Data Transfer to iSeries™ server application requires you to use an associated format description file (FDF).

An FDF file describes the format of a stream file, and is created by the Data Transfer from iSeries server application when data is transferred from a database file to a stream file.

To create a .FDF file:

  1. Create an externally described database file with a format that matches your source stream file (number of fields, types of data).
  2. Create one temporary data record within the database file.
  3. Use the Data Transfer from iSeries server function to create a stream file and its associated .FDF file from this database file.

    Now, you can use the Data Transfer to iSeries server function. Specify this .FDF file with the source stream file that you want to transfer.

Parent topic: Copy data using data-transfer functions
Related reference
Transfer data from a stream file to a database file
Transfer data from a database file to a stream file