REST structure to structure mapping support allows for the REST API parameter format to be dissimilar from the data format used by an application to understand the request and/or response for a REST API. The mapping of dissimilar data is accomplished by using 2 DFDL schemas which define the source and target data formats respectively.  Prior to APAR PJ47073, only 1 DFDL schema could be specified in the z/TPF service descriptor for a request or response format.  The mapping of dissimilar data had to be performed by the application by using DFDL structure to structure mapping support.

To map dissimilar data between the REST interface and the application data format with APAR PJ47073, the z/TPF service descriptor is updated to specify a data format DFDL schema and root.  For inbound data, the application data format described by a DFDL schema is a data only description that uses the outputValueCalc attribute for each element.  For outbound data, the HTTP data described by a DFDL schema is a document only description that uses the inputValueCalc attribute for each element.  With a data object specified, REST provider and REST consumer can perform data-to-document or document-to-data transformations.

With APAR PJ47073, REST and DFDL structure to structure mappings can be tested using the tpfdatamap utility on Linux for IBM Z through the use of a new transform action.  For more information see the APEDIT.