Convert XML / XSLT to XSL-FO to PDF with an external program (Java)

[Former Member]

Hai everybody

From the SAP System I need to call an external Program to convert some file.

I should give two file as

- <b>export parameters</b> (one XML and one XSLT or one XSL-FO ?)

Than I should receive back with the

- <b>import parameter</b> the PDF file.

I never have do something like this but I would be very interested in how it works. Had anyone already done something before and can give me a step by step documentation ? Because also I not familiar with java.

This would be great !

Thank you very match in advantage !

[Former Member]

Hai everybody

From the SAP System I need to call an external Program to convert some file.

I should give two file as

- <b>export parameters</b> (one XML and one XSLT or one XSL-FO ?)

Than I should receive back with the

- <b>import parameter</b> the PDF file.

I never have do something like this but I would be very interested in how it works. Had anyone already done something before and can give me a step by step documentation ? Because also I not familiar with java.

This would be great !

Thank you very match in advantage !

[Former Member]

Hi

Well your requirements does not seems to be straight farward, please explain more in details might be then we can propose you something... Anyway there is free ware Apache project called FOP which you can look in for creating PDF files... or if you are working with XML then you can consider coocon as well...

please award if it helps .... kind regards

[Former Member]

Hi Shah H

Thank you for your answer !

Well, how can I explain you more in detail ?

After the standard give me the Data to show it with an SAP Script Form (OTF structure) I have found a way how to convert them into a XML structure.

Together with a XSL file than we pass the file to a print system. There they print the forms.

In the same time to this we want to look also the form at the screen.

To guarantee that we see the same result as from the print screen we also want to create the PDF from the same source. That means from the XML and XSL files. So to convert them to a PDF file I think I must go outside the system.

Now, I have read that as you also mention this is possible thru Apache project or cocoon.

But how exactly must this be configured I never have done this before:

- On with transaction in SAP can this be configured ?

- Which customizing must be done ?

Are this explanations comprehensible for you ?

Thanks in advantage

Sandro

[athavanraja]

the XSL which you pass t print system what does it do? convert the XML to XML-FO format?

within ABAP if you want to do this, you should be on WAS2004s and you need Adobe system installed and configured. (adobe life cycle system)

now if your primary target is to convert the OTF to PDF for preview. why not simply use the OTF to PDF route (without XML< SLF -FO etc)

using CONVERT_OTF function.

Regards

Raja

[Former Member]

Hi Sandro,

"In the same time to this we want to look also the form at the screen.

To guarantee that we see the same result as from the print screen we also want to create the PDF from the same source. That means from the XML and XSL files. So to convert them to a PDF file I think I must go outside the system"

Actually not, as Raja descriebed, if you have WAS2004s then you can convert within sap system the source to PDF.... if you do not have was2004s, then try to figure it out, what possibilities you have to create PDFs from SAP system, I have never came across such requirement, but I can imagine such functionality .... just search :-)....

Regards,

[Former Member]

Hi Raja

Thank for your answer !

Yes the XSL is to generate the XML-FO file which than will generate the PDF.

We are on SAP ECC 6.0 but we have no Adobe system installed and configured.

As described we want to create the PDF from the XML-FO to be sure to have the same output as the print system have created.

So my primary question remains the same:

- How can I call an external Java program, pass them one or two files and get back one ?

Regards Sandro

[Former Member]

Hi Shah H

I have answered to Raja, that the problem is we have no Adobe system !

Thank you for your tipp … searching is what I do most of the time already …

Because I have it fully now I was open this questions in SDN !

Regards Sandro

[athavanraja]

i am interested to know about the print system which can understand xml-fo.

coming to your question.

what sort of java program is this, can you realize this in a jsp page, which takes some input (binary stream of xml-fo) and return pdf string back as response. if yes, this you can call from ABAP program using cl_http_client.

or you have to set up jco and call java programs from ABAP

check this weblog for details on that.

/people/gregor.wolf3/blog/2004/08/26/setup-and-test-sap-java-connector-outbound-connection

REgards

Raja

[Former Member]

Hi Raja

Great, now I think you bring me on the right way !

Next I must read all this new informations and try it on my system. Unfortunately the next week I can't spend time for this, so I have to set a break.

When I go ahead after the break I will com back to you surely !

Also I will get informations about the print system and let you know.

In the meantime I thank you very match for your effort.

Regards

Sandro