Cobol and Internet-Explorer 2

[landei]

In one of my programs is a call for the internet-explorer 5.0. The call includes the interface for the internet-page to call. It is the page for "UPS-Tracking". I have find out, that the interface of my IE-5.0 is max. 256 characters. This is the content of the call-command:

03 system-command-line-ie.
05 my-browser pic x(45) value
'"C:\Programme\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe"'.
05 filler pic x(01) value space.
05 filler pic x(50) value
"

http://wwwapps.ups.com/WebTracking/processInputReq".

05 filler pic x(50) value
"uest?TypeOfInquiryNumber=T&tracknums_displayed=5&H".
05 filler pic x(50) value
"TMLVersion=5.0&loc=de_DE&error_carried=true&Reques".
05 filler pic x(27) value
"ter=UPSHome&InquiryNumber1=".
05 filler pic xx value "1Z".
05 tu22-kdnr pic 9(6).
05 tu22-code pic 99.
05 tu22-lfdnr pic 9(8).
05 filler pic x(30) value
"&AgreeToTermsAndConditions=yes".

It dont run on the PC of my customer, because the interface of the IE-5.0 there is only 80 characters and the command will be cut off. Did somebody knows, why there is a difference between the internet-explorer and what can i do?

Thanks for help.

Helmut from germany

 

[CliveC]

A DOS command line is what has the 256 length limit. I am not sure what the length of the parameter that may be passed to IE 5.0 is. However if you have established conclusively that your customer can only pass 80 then as I see it you have 2 options.

Try upgrading your customer to IE 6 and see if it works then
OR
Make a preliminary call to a website that you control using no parameters and then redirect to the real UPS page that you want.

Clive

http://tubularity.com

http://PalliativeCareConsulting.org

http://port-lucaya.com

 

[CliveC]

Actually, re-reading your question, you would have to pass the variable info to the site that you control and re-constitute the call. Your variable parameters are less than 80 in length.

Clive

http://tubularity.com

http://PalliativeCareConsulting.org

http://port-lucaya.com

 

[CliveC]

Forget all that. The problem is that you have created an embedded blank by having the 1st 50 byte filler being only 49. Change the pic to 49 and it should be ok.

Clive

http://tubularity.com

http://PalliativeCareConsulting.org

http://port-lucaya.com

 

[3gm]

In general, this approach to invoking the browser is not a very good one as it's not robust:

1. What if IE is installed elsewhere?
2. What if the program is run on a US English (or other language) machine?
3. What if the user prefers Firefox or Opera?

You might try using the START command to invoke the user's default browser, e.g.:

start "

http://www.cnn.com"

Regards.

Glenn

 

[landei]

O sorry, there is a mistake!!!
Both version (my version an the version of my customer) of Explorer ist IE 6 not IE 5.

@ clive
the length of the first filler ist 50 Bytes not 49 Bytes. It looks a little bit shorter, but it isnt.
Yes there is a varible in the parameter (the UPS-package-number). It is never the same page I want to call. My Internet-Explorer allways call the right page with a parameter-length of 256 Byte, no problem. The PC of my customer will be cut at 80 Byte.
@ Glenn
The start-command will bring an error during compiling. My compiler ist ACUCOBOL. I know the start-command for file-handling not for start other programs.

Helmut

 

[CliveC]

OK.

I am seeing:

   05 tu22-kdnr              pic 9(6).
   05 tu22-code              pic 99.
   05 tu22-lfdnr             pic 9(8).

as the only variable information. So my 2nd suggestion might work.

Example:

http://siteicontrol.com/ups.htm?k=123456&c=12&l=12345678

at that site reconstitue the call to add the fixed info.


Clive

http://tubularity.com

http://PalliativeCareConsulting.org

http://port-lucaya.com

 

[CliveC]

Example:

http://tubularity.com/ups.php?on=1234561212345678

Clive

http://tubularity.com

http://PalliativeCareConsulting.org

http://port-lucaya.com

 

[3gm]

The following runs a browser window in a language and installation independent fashion using AcuCOBOL 5.2 on my Windows XP SP2 system with FireFox:

identification division.
program-id.  test.
data division.
working-storage section.
01  ws-start.
 05  pic x(128) value "start [URL unfurl="true"]HTTP://WWW.CNN.COM".[/URL]

01  WS-FLAGS PIC 9(8) BINARY VALUE 64.

01  WS-EXIT-STATUS PIC 9(8) BINARY.
procedure division.
0000.
     CALL "C$SYSTEM" USING WS-START 
                           WS-FLAGS
                 GIVING WS-EXIT-STATUS
     STOP RUN
     .

Regards.

Glenn

 

[landei]

Hi Clive,

many thanks for the helpfull massage. It works !!!

Greatings Helmut

 

[landei]

Hi Glenn,

many thanks for the helpfull massage. It also works !!!

Greatings Helmut