Richard > Not only is it not tedious, I think it speaks to the crux of the X12 versus > XML > matter.
IMHO, the lack of 'standard' XML equivalents of existing X12 documents (like the 850, 810, etc) was the biggest oversight. It would have made XML MUCH easier to implement and exchange... > Even if the purpose is internal conversion - so that you are taking X12 > documents, for example, and reformatting them to XML to enter an SAP XI > system - if you don't have a canonical (read "standard") of some sort, > aren't you simply adding another layer of complexity to things? > Like > X12 -> custom XML -> canonical XML -> target system requirements? The custom and canonical XML conversion is not required. There is just one format necessary. Most target systems can read XML a lot easier than X12. The import processes already include methods to map XML fields to target system fields. (Think of the various import methods used by Outlook, etc...) Even Word is going to be saved in XML format ;-) The actual XML can include all the information that both the custom & canonical versions would have... In many ways, XML is more useful, but like 'beta vs VHS', the better format is not necessarily the most used ;-) Earl Wertheimer [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.spe-edi.com ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> You can search right from your browser? It's easy and it's free. See how. http://us.click.yahoo.com/_7bhrC/NGxNAA/yQLSAA/OIFolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> ... Please use the following Message Identifiers as your subject prefix: <SALES>, <JOBS>, <LIST>, <TECH>, <MISC>, <EVENT>, <OFF-TOPIC> Job postings are welcome, but for job postings or requests for work: <JOBS> IS REQUIRED in the subject line as a prefix. Access the list online at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EDI-L RSS feed is: http://rss.groups.yahoo.com/group/EDI-L/rss Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EDI-L/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
