Adding CR/LF to an EDIFACT message

Everybody who handles EDIFACT messages, at least once in his life, needs to have a closer look at the message/segment contents in order to figure out the reason of a mapping failure: well, it's a dirty job but someone got to do it...

Then things may get harder when message has no CR/LF breaks and your EDIFACT translator has not a built in tool  to make message readable: find out the error becomes a real nightmare !

Well, a reader of  this blog (off course smart people read smart blog :D) has created a web application with the following features: 

1. Adding a CR/LF after every segment ends;
2. Properly numerate every line/segment of the message. 

You can have a look at this new brand project here and maybe, in the future, the developer will also add some extra features, who knows... :)

I have also added the site in the Web Utilities section.

Thank you Nick for sharing your good job !

Standard Exchange Format (SEF)

A reader asked me further information about SEF files.

The Standard Exchange Format (SEF) is an open-standard, computer readable, text format that contains the schematic information of an  EDI document.  

Basically you can use SEF files for:

• Exchanging information about implementation guidelines with your trading partners;
• Importing directly translation or mapping in your EDI software to ease implementation; 
• Posting information via networks to mailboxes or electronic bulletin boards for mass dissemination of implementation guidelines. 

SEF is an open standard, which allows you to create and distribute your own SEF files without any permission or having to pay any royalty fees.

SEF files are editable either with a text editor or with a free tool, developed by EDIdEv, available here.

Here I have upload a MIG which explains the layout of  a SEF file.

Here you can find a sample of a SEF file.