Creating AFP files using C#.NET

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.NET3.5

Dear Code Project,

I have recently stumbled upon a .NET project.
The core function of the project is to write data from an MSSQL database into what they called an AFP file.
This AFP file is then used to initiate print out (i.e. for printing Banking Statement).

From what i found out, AFP probably stands out for Advanced Function Presentation and was introduced by IBM. Nevertheless, I don't know for sure.
I derived this conclusion because I've been looking for information for such file extension and the most make-sense one is that one.

Background of the project I am handling is:
- the project is requested by a bank
- it previously used a third-party vendor who are not willing to share the resources of knowledge with regards to AFP
- the bank uses the vendor to produce output in .AFP file format
- this file is then used for printing banking statement
- this file is then also converted to .PDF file format for e-statement

There are 3 points of my questions:
1. Is my assumption on Advanced Function Presentation correct?

2. Is there a native.NET library (whichever version of .NET framework) which can support the creation of AFP file from raw data fetched from MSSQL database ?
Or is it that I have to purchase a 3rd-party API to work with it?

3. Could someone please point me in the right direction to get started with the development?

Thank you very much for your help..

Best Regards,
Alfin Rusli

Posted 20-May-13 3:23am

Alfin Rusli

Updated 9-Apr-18 6:09am

Abhishek Pant

v2

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Comments

ZurdoDev 20-May-13 9:53am

1. Who knows. AFP could be anything. You'll have to ask someone who knows the system.
2. I doubt it.
3. Google. But first, you have to confirm what these files are. Have you tried opening in notepad? For all we know they are just text files.

Alfin Rusli 23-May-13 1:28am

Hi Ryan,

Thanks for getting back to me.

1. Yes, I have confirmed that the AFP is indeed the one provided by IBM as explained in the following link: http://www-03.ibm.com/systems/z/os/zos/printsoftware/afptoolboxhome_z_ww.html

2. There's probably no native .NET library to work with AFP. In the link I provided above, IBM actually sell an API to work with AFP. It is just that there's this phrase "it works with high-level program such as C, C++, and CBOL".. I don't know if it works with .NET..
Seems to me this API is kind of ancient.

3. I don't have the AFP file as it is a bank client banking statement. I need to submit proposal so I am not at the level where I am being given files and stuff. Safe to say, I am preparing a Proof of Concept.

And as of now, I don't have any good lead except consuming the API provided by IBM.

Thanks

maverick1991 12-Jul-16 15:46pm

Hi Alfin,
Did you got any API or anything regarding generating AFP?
I am stuck with the same problem in which you were before.
Any help would be very generous of you.
Thanks!!!

2 solutions

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Member 13762520 · Answer 1 · 2018-04-10T12:21:00

Solution 3

*Install AFP printer and configure it to save files with name and route.
*Install Ghostcript.
*use gsprint.exe to send PDF files and specify the printer to send the file and use hidden process.
*I renamed the files after the printing to put the original name to the files.

Posted 10-Apr-18 12:21pm

Member 13762520

Updated 10-Apr-18 19:49pm

Comments

Richard MacCutchan 11-Apr-18 3:08am

FIVE years too late.

Jijo BP · Answer 2 · 2014-06-09T10:04:00

Solution 1

All you need to do is install a AFP print driver in the system and destination file type select as pdf. From your code you need to send the binary stream to the print driver. Print driver will print it in background and the new pdf will be generated at your choice. I used it in an insurance solution.

Posted 9-Jun-14 10:04am

Jijo BP

Comments

maverick1991 7-Jul-16 9:53am

Hi Jijo,
Seems like you have implemented the AFP. Can you share some detail light or any code on the above article.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

Ishan_Garg 20-Feb-17 0:49am

Hi,
If you have implemented AFP, please share the the code or the link where I can find the information.

Thanks

Creating AFP files using C#.NET

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