Data transfer methods

Before you begin to transfer files, choose the appropriate file transfer type. You can use the default type, ASCII, or specify a different type such as EBDCIC or BINARY.

ASCII is the Internet standard for character encoding. EBCDIC is the standard for the i5/OS^® operating system. Select the appropriate type according to the following descriptions:

• Use ASCII for transfers of files that only contain text ("text-only" files).

• Use EBCDIC to transfer EBCDIC data between systems that both support EBCDIC. This will avoid the need to convert data between EBCDIC and ASCII on both systems.

• Use BINARY for transfers of nontext files, such as binary numeric data, graphics files, and i5/OS save files.

After you have chosen a file transfer format, you are ready to Transfer a file with FTP.

• Transferring files that contain packed decimal data between System i platforms
  The transfer of packed decimal or zoned decimal data is supported between System i™ platforms. To complete such a transfer, you need to use either a transfer type of TYPE I (BINARY) or TYPE E (EBCDIC) with a transmission mode of BLOCK.

• Transferring *SAVF files
  Because *SAVF files must be sent as images, issue FTP BINARY subcommand before transferring these types of files.

• Transferring QDLS documents
  When a QDLS document is transferred, the QDLS directory entry attribute that indicates the default type of document is set to the document type PCFILE on the receiving system for all document types except revisable-form text (RFT) documents.

• Transferring root, QOpenSys, QDLS, and QOPT files
  You must use stream mode (MODE S) and file structure (STRUCT F) when transferring files in the root, QOpenSys, QDLS, and QOPT file systems.

• Transferring files using QfileSvr.400
  The QFileSvr.400 file system provides access to other file systems on a remote system.

• Transferring QSYS.LIB files
  This topic discusses the FTP operations in the stream transfer mode and the image transfer mode for the QSYS.LIB file system.

• Considerations for creating files before transferring them into QSYS.LIB
  It is suggested that you create any files before transferring them into the QSYS.LIB file system. This is the best method of ensuring that your data is transferred reliably and effectively with optimal performance and integrity.

• Coded character set identifier conversions
  The i5/OS operating system uses coded character set identifier (CCSID) information to interpret the input data and to provide the output data in the correct format for display. The input might be American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII) or Extended Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Code (EBCDIC).

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