3/23/05
The "binary" data in BIN segments (BIN03) is defined in X12.6 (004010) thus:
===============================
3.5.1.7 Binary
The binary data element is any sequence of octets ranging in value from binary
00000000 to binary
11111111. This data element type has no defined maximum length. Actual length
is specified by the
immediately preceding data element. The binary data element type may only exist
in the Binary segment
(see Section 3.11). The representation for this data element type is B.
<binary> ::= <octet> {<octet>}
<octet> ::= "000000002" | ... | "111111112"
......
3.11 Binary Segment
The binary segment has the same structure as a data segment but is used for
transferring binary data
with an accompanying length parameter. Bit patterns normally reserved for other
functions may appear
in the binary data element. These bit patterns could be misinterpreted. The
length of the binary data
element is provided in the preceding data element in order to locate the end of
the binary data and
prevent such misinterpretation. The binary segment may not occur outside the
boundaries of a
transaction set.
<binary_seg> ::= BIN <gs> <number_of_octets> <gs> <binary> <tr>
<number_of_octets> ::= <unsigned_integer>
The data element that references the number of octets provides a count of all
octets contained in the
binary data element. This count does not include the preceding data element
separator or trailing data
segment terminator. The count is provided to enable finding the data segment
terminator.
===========
Ok, so this means the BIN03 may contain an octet which - if I read this
correctly - may be a high-order (extended) ASCII character
(x'80'- x'FF').
But how can this be, given that a communications protocol may be a 7-bit
protocol? If you use a 7-bit protocol, either you'd lose
bit 7 of each octet or it would be misinterpreted as a control character. Or,
does the use of BDS/BIN presuppose the use of an 8-bit
protocol? Or preempt the use of high-order characters?
Or does the standard just assume that "you have the data, communications is a
totally separate consideration?" (Which really seems
strange given the origin and original design of ANSI ASC X12 data format).
I ask because although I've been working with ANSI ASC X12 data since about
1984, I have never seen a BIN (or BDS ) segment used
"for real."
Inquiring Minds Want to Know.
Thanks,
Michael Mattias
Tal Systems, Inc.
Racine WI
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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