Integration Studio IDL: What is it?
What is IDL (Integration Description Language)?
Integration Studio uses a custom scripting language, Integration Description Language (IDL), to map and transform data. Source data and integration configuration are converted into one mapping file and two schema files prior to running the integration and generating the output.
IDL Schema
Schema files are used to describe the structure of the source and destination data as well as to define key settings. All schema files start with an opening schema block, followed by an id (Destination or Source) and metadata, such as type and delimiter. Metadata values vary based on output settings defined in Step 2. Next, the schema file defines the fields and settings for each.
IDL Mapping
Mapping files contain instructions to generate output for each field in the integration, as well as any configured local filters and field formatting. All mapping files open with a mapping block, containing a root. The root contains the fields as defined and configured in Step 3.
For example, the following screenshots show the same configuration, but one of them is written in IDL.
The same configuration with a local filter limiting the results to ACTIVE employees looks like this:
