Encoders(5.0)

An encoder specifies how data is to be encoded. The syntax for the encoders is as follows:

encoder <encoder_name> : <encoder options>;

The encoder options are:

Option	Description

Option	Description
`out_map(<map name>)`	Specifies what out-maps to use. At least one is required.
`block_size(<size>)`	Specifies that this is a blocked format with a certain block size
`terminated_by(<terminator>)`	Specifies the block filler used. This option has no effect if the `block_size` has not been specified.

When encoding a record, the encoder tries each out-map in the order specified. If the out-map can encode the record, then this out-map is used, otherwise the next out-map is tried.

An out-map can encode the data if:

The record type matches the internal type specified in the out-map.
All format specific requirements are met. At the moment this evaluation is performed only for sequential data with an identified_by condition. Only data where the mapped fields meet the identification rule will be accepted. This is to support mapping to different external record types from the same internal type.