Can I use existing HLLAPI applications with PASSPORT?

Both PASSPORT PC TO HOST^® and PASSPORT WEB TO HOST^® can be used with any 32-bit PC application that utilizes a Visual Basic or C High Level Language Application Programming Interface (HLLAPI) to an IBM 3270 or other terminal emulation client. PASSPORT lets you reuse the HLLAPI application by way of a TN3270, TN5250, VT420, VT220, VT100, SCO ANSI or Wyse 60 terminal emulation client.

In most cases, the HLLAPI application will work 'as-is' with PASSPORT and Zephyr maintains a helpful checklist of items to run through to get the applications communicating with each other.

Can Attachmate EXTRA!^® screen-scraping applications be used with PASSPORT?

Yes, both PASSPORT PC TO HOST^® and PASSPORT WEB TO HOST^® include an Attachmate-compatible Object API that lets you reuse existing screen-scraping applications written for Attachmate EXTRA!^®. In most cases, the EXTRA! screen-scraping applications can be used 'as-is' with Zephyr terminal emulation software.

The PASSPORT Object Interface provides compatibility with the Attachmate EXTRA! OLE automation support and exposes terminal emulation objects such as the entire group of sessions, a single session, screen, area, OIA, keypad, etc. Applications that require host access and need to control multiple host sessions can use the Object API.

C++, Visual Basic, VB Script, Java Script or any language that can use the Microsoft COM object interface can be used for development. Developer assistance is provided to customers and opportunities with 100 or more units of the PASSPORT terminal emulation. The PASSPORT Object Toolkit, a time-saving developer resource, is available to no charge for customers or prospects with 500 or more units of the PASSPORT software.

Can the PASSPORT terminal emulation be used for new screen scraping projects that run locally?

Yes, the PASSPORT Object Interface found in both PASSPORT PC TO HOST^® and PASSPORT WEB TO HOST^® exposes terminal emulation objects such as the entire group of sessions, a single session, screen, area, OIA, keypad, etc. C++, Visual Basic, VB Script, Java Script or any language that can use the Microsoft COM object interface is supported.

Developer assistance is provided to customers and opportunities with 100 or more units of the PASSPORT terminal emulation. The PASSPORT Object Toolkit, a time-saving developer resource, is available to no charge for customers or prospects with 500 or more units of the PASSPORT software.

Read More About the PASSPORT Object Toolkit

What APIs are supported and when should I use which API?

The PASSPORT HLLAPI interface should be used when you have an existing 32-bit HLLAPI application that works with another terminal emulator and you want to use that application with either PASSPORT PC TO HOST^® or PASSPORT WEB TO HOST^®. The PASSPORT HLLAPI interface is a DLL interface and is not an object-oriented interface.

The PASSPORT Object Interface should be used for new client-side screen scraping projects. It should also be used if you have existing Attachmate OLE applications that you wish to use with PASSPORT.

Both APIs can be used to access TN3270, TN5250, VT420, VT220, VT100, SCO ANSI and Wyse 60 host applications.

More information on these APIs

Does Zephyr offer a legacy integration solution that doesn't require terminal emulation?

Zephyr offers a robust, Windows-based product called PASSPORT Host Integration Objects (HIO) that many customers run from a Windows Server. PASSPORT HIO does not require terminal emulation. Rather, PASSPORT HIO features a TN3270E and TN5250E communications module and programmatic API that lets you create server-based .NET and ActiveX legacy integration projects that often communicate with the legacy host in the background.

In most cases, end users running PASSPORT HIO have no idea they're connecting to an IBM mainframe or AS/400 application since another application manages the user interface.

For developers that want to deploy PASSPORT HIO in a robust, client-based solution, and also want to expose the traditional green screen UI, PASSPORT HIO can be used on a Windows desktop and features the Terminal Control Interface. The Terminal Control Object lets developers embed a PASSPORT TN3270 or TN5250 client inside another client application. Through use of the HIO Terminal Control, 3270 or 5250 host "green" screens can be exposed to the end user, similar to an IBM terminal, and full use of the PC keyboard is available to interact with the 3270 or 5250 host application. PASSPORT HIO Terminal Control is ideal for advanced Windows client-based legacy integration projects.

You can download PASSPORT Host Integration Objects from the Zephyr web site and view all of the API documentation online prior to downloading.