Publish 2.0

[elidoran]

Todo:

• - bit of cleanup
• - write new README
• - describe how to add to it for custom handlers

The next version with full streaming has been waiting for me to write its documentation and publish it for a very long while.

My version 1.0 was based on building an object up or wrapping one and applying changes. Once I had it working (learned how to work with ACH format) I immediately made a streaming version. I've been using it since then without publishing. I'm going to publish it. It just keeps taking a backseat to other projects. :)

[tmcpro]

any plans for balanced files?

[elidoran]

By "balanced" are you referring to some kind of optional enforcement for credits having a balancing debit entry?

I'd be glad to hear any feedback and work on adding it in. I've been putting off finishing the 2.0 version for publishing for a long time now, which I regret, but I have been putting my time into other projects. I could easily make this project more of a priority if someone else was interested in it.

[tmcpro]

@elidoran exactly (ie. this)

Happy to help where I can to get this ACH to 2.0

[elidoran]

I ran into the "balancing entry" issue with our ERP software which didn't create one. At first I used this package to enhance the ACH file created by our ERP software. I added the balancing entry and corrected a few values it didn't allow us to configure. I also had to correct its format (our ERP software does a terrible job with ACH). Later I made the version 2.0 with streaming to support running the generated file thru transforms to edit it.

Anyway, I'm compelled to point this out to ensure it's known it is possible to have a balancing entry in version 1.0 of this package. We just have to create it manually.

Also of note, one ACH regional processor states in their documentation they do not allow balancing entries from the client. Instead, the debit account is arranged before hand and they add the balancing entry themselves for some kind of security measure.

Anyway, I'll get to work on making version 2.0 ready to publish and I would appreciate your help in checking it out when it's ready. Then, after someone other than myself has looked at it, I'll publish it.

[tmcpro]

@elidoran sounds awesome. Looking forward to 2.0.

Do you have any sample code for how to create a balanced file?

[elidoran]

What I do is calculate the sum of the credit() entries in a batch (payments to vendors) and create a single debit() entry with that amount. Then, when the ACH info is translated into an ACH file it generates appropriate footers which include the new "balancing debit entry". The README for the @ach/ach package shows how to create batches and credit/debit entries.

I notice I didn't show in the README what the property names are for the various parts of the object for introspection and direct editing. That's an oversight I'll correct in the 2.0 docs. For now, you can use debugging to inspect the object. I'll definitely make a point of describing balancing entries and how to manage/create them in the 2.0 docs. Thank you for highlighting I totally failed to describe this important thing.

I use the 2.0 API with streaming and it is all done using transforms. So, to edit an ACH file to add balancing entries I have an edit transform which reads each Record as it comes thru. It basically sums each credit entry in a batch so it can add a new debit entry last before the batch footer. It updates the batch footer to take account for the new debit entry. Then, each batch ends up with a "balancing debit entry" for its credits.