iNTERFACEWARE™ Inc.

Testing Generated Outbound Messages

The next step is to take the same message and test a generated message from a database.

	Before starting, download this second sample VMD file that you can use to perform the steps in this section.

To test your generated outbound message and python scripts:

• Copy and paste the test message into the top pane of the Message Browser.
• Click Parse.
• Click the Table View tab, and choose Grammar View.
• Select each table in the left pane to view its content. The Grammar View gives you the most accurate representation of how your database tables should be populated.

Message Browser, Showing Grammar View

	If your database tables are not accurately represented, use Python scripts to fix the problem areas. Also note that inbound scripts are for test purposes only - they will not be executed during regular message generation.

The main goal of this section is to show you how to make the generated message the same as your original message.

• Open the Transformation window, and ensure that Graphical Transformation is selected.
• Copy the test message, and paste it into the top pane of the Transformation window.
• Click the Transform button. The generated outbound message appears in the bottom pane.

Identical Messages

The messages seem to be identical. However, let's say the recipient of the messages wanted the following fields to be constant values:

• MSH.3 must always be PDHCDB;
• MSH.4 must always be PDHCDB; and
• MSH.11 must always be P.

If you change the above values in the top pane of the Transformation window, the change is immediately reflected in the bottom pane, as shown below.

Transformation Window, Showing Values Changed

To make sure that these values never change, you must use simple Python scripts to define the constant values you don't want changed:

• Under Segments, double-click MSH (Message Header). The MSH Segment window appears.
• In the Outbound Script column, click the Ellipsis button for Field 3 - Sending Application. Type the following:

value="PDHCDB"

• Click OK to save the change.
• Repeat this process for Field 4.
• Repeat this for Field 11, instead replacing PDHCDB with P.
• Go back to the Transformation window, and click the Transform button.
• Ensure that Graphical Transformation is selected. You will notice that the top pane shows the message still has Value Changed in MSH.3, MSH.4 and MSH.11. However, if you check the bottom pane you will notice that those fields have the correct values that your counterparty wanted, as shown below.

Constants Defined