Data File Compare Generate COBOL Source Code

Introduction

This document describes how to generate the COBOL source code for a program that will compare the contents of two data files at the record level. Since the COBOL source code is COBOL/2 compliant it may be compiled and executed on an IBM Mainframe (z/OS or VSE), a Wintel platform (Windows and Micro Focus) or a UNIX platform (with Micro Focus).

Performing this task will also generate an HTML document that describes the record layout based upon a COBOL copy file definition of the record structure. The HTML document will provide field position within the record and field lengths (both logical which is based on the PIC and physical which is based on the COMP or COMP-3). This task is optional but recommended. The HTML document will be used to relate the position within the record where the failure occurred to the actual COBOL field name.

This example illustrates the following functions.

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Generate a Compare Program

Generating the COBOL source code to do the data file compare and the associated documentation for the record layout is a two step process. The first step is to create the data file compare program using the specifications file as input. The second step is to create the HTML documentation using a COBOL copy file as input.

Input, a Process Control File (PCF)

The following is the specifications file used in this session as input to create the COBOL source code for a file compare program. The statements in this file will be used to generate the source code that will read two data files and compare positions within each record based upon the "/COMPARE" statements submitted at execution time via SYSUT3.

The following (ITCOMP03.pcf) is the Process Control File (PCF) that will be used to generate the file compare program.

***********************************************************************
*                ITCOMP03.pcf - a Process Control File                *
*               SimoTime Program Generation Technologies              *
*             (C) Copyright 1987-2019 All Rights Reserved             *
*               Web Site URL:   http://www.simotime.com               *
*                     e-mail:   helpdesk@simotime.com                 *
***********************************************************************
* This is an example of the compare specifications to generate a
* Data File Comparison Program.
***********************************************************************
*
* The following group of statements will define the high level
* or external functions and processes to be performed.
*
&SIMOPREP  call ../Env1BASE
&USERPREP  call USERCOMP
&COPYFILE  ITEMCB01.CPY
&HTMLFILE  itemcb01.htm
&FUNCTION  COMPARE
&CONFORM   IBM
&USRMODEL  SYSCOMP2.txt
*
* The following group of statements will define the behavioral
* characteristics and environment variables for the file I/O Program
* that will be generated.
*
*HEAD34    ....:....1....:....2....:....3....
&HEAD34    Compare ITEMMAST with SYSUT3 Input
&progid    ITCOMPC3
&sysut1    name=ITCOMPD1 org=Indexed recfm=variable rlen=512 klen=12 kpos=1
&sysut2    name=ITCOMPD2 org=Indexed recfm=variable rlen=512 klen=12 kpos=1
&sysut3    name=SYSUT3D3 org=Sequential recfm=variable rlen=80
*
* The following statements will determine execution behavior.
* The KEYFIELD will cause record INSERT/DELETE to be enabled.
* The COMPARE statement is commented because the positions to be
* compared are defined at execution time based on parameters
* specified in SYSUT3.
*
&KEYFIELD  SYSUT1 pos  1 len  12 SYSUT2 pos  1 len  12
*COMPARE   SYSUT1 pos  1 len 512 SYSUT2 pos  1 len 512
*
* The following statements determine when to stop the compare process
* and what to do when a not-equal condition occurs.
*
&IFNECODE  0016
&DELTAMAX  5 EOF
&DFORMAT   ASC HEX EBC
&DISPLAY   SYSOUT
&SYSLOG    DISABLED
*
&END

    Explore How to Generate a Data File Compare, Validate or Hex-Dump Program using simple specification statements in a Process Control File (PCF). This link to the User Guide includes the information necessary to create a Process Control File and generate the COBOL programs that will do a data file compare, accumulate summary totals with a record count or produce a Hex-Dump of records in a VSAM, KSDS based on a list of user-defined keys. The User Guide contains a list of the PCF statements that are used for the data file compare, validate or dump process.

Process, Read PCF & generate Programs

The following (admGenrONEcompare.cmd) is the command file that will be used to generate the file compare program.

@echo OFF
rem  * *******************************************************************
rem  *          admGenrONEcompare.CMD - a Windows Command File           *
rem  *         This program is provided by SimoTime Enterprises          *
rem  *           (C) Copyright 1987-2013 All Rights Reserved             *
rem  *             Web Site URL:   http://www.simotime.com               *
rem  *                   e-mail:   helpdesk@simotime.com                 *
rem  * *******************************************************************
rem  * This job will read a file containing a list of names of the
rem  * Process Control Files (PCF'). For each PCF name the SIMOCOMP.cmd
rem  * is called to do the program generation.
rem  *
rem  * This procedure calls the following Windows Command Files.
rem  * 1. ENV1BASE.cmd - this provides a single point for setting commonly
rem  *    used environment variables.
rem  * 2. SIMONOTE.cmd - this provides a consistent process for displaying
rem  *    messages to the screen and writing to a journal or log file.
rem  * 3. SIMOCOMP.cmd - this will do the actual source code generation
rem  *    of programs that will do a data file compare.
rem  * *******************************************************************
     call ..\Env1Base
     call USERCOMP
     set CmdName=admGenrONEcompare
rem  *
     call SimoNOTE "***********************************************%CmdName%.CMD"
     call SimoNOTE "Starting JobName %CmdName%.CMD"
rem  *
rem  * Set the environment variable to use the default directives file.
     set AOK_Count=0
     set NOK_Count=0
     set SIMOGENS=PAUSE
     set SIMODROP=Y
     set GENILIBR=%BASELIB1%\COMPARES\INCLUDES
     for /F "eol=; tokens=1,2* delims=." %%i in (SIMOTIME.LISTONE.COMPARES.LST) do CALL SIMOCOMP %%i
rem  *
     call SimoNOTE "AOKcount Compile Count for AOK is %AOK_Count% "
     call SimoNOTE "NOKcount Compile Count for NOK is %NOK_Count% "
     call SimoNOTE "Finished JobName %CmdName%.CMD "
     if not "%SimoGENS%" == "BATCH" pause

Output, COBOL Code and HTML

Start Windows Explorer perform the following steps.

Executing the preceding process should have generated a COBOL source member. This member should have been stored in the c:\DataMig1\DEVL\GENS\COMPARES directory. Return to the main session to continue.

Note:  The COBOL source member may now be compiled and executed using Micro Focus on a Windows platform. The COBOL source member may be transferred to a Linux or UNIX platform to be compiled and executed using Micro Focus COBOL. The COBOL source member may be transferred to a mainframe (z/OS or VSE) to be compiled and executed.

    Explore a COMPARE Program for Two Item Master Files and the associated HTML Document generated from the CObOL copy file.

Summary

The purpose of this session was to describe how to generate the COBOL source code that will compare the contents of two data files. This document may be used to assist as a tutorial for new programmers or as a quick reference for experienced programmers.

In the world of programming there are many ways to solve a problem. This document and the links to other documents are intended to provide a greater awareness of the Data Management and Application Processing alternatives.

The documentation and software were developed and tested on systems that are configured for a SIMOTIME environment based on the hardware, operating systems, user requirements and security requirements. Therefore, adjustments may be needed to execute the jobs and programs when transferred to a system of a different architecture or configuration.

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Downloads and Links

This section includes links to documents with additional information that are beyond the scope and purpose of this document. The first group of documents may be available from a local system or via an internet connection, the second group of documents will require an internet connection.

Note: A SimoTime License is required for the items to be made available on a local system or server.

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Note: The latest versions of the SimoTime Documents and Program Suites are available on the Internet and may be accessed using the icon. If a user has a SimoTime Enterprise License the Documents and Program Suites may be available on a local server and accessed using the icon.

    Explore An Enterprise System Model that describes and demonstrates how Applications that were running on a Mainframe System and non-relational data that was located on the Mainframe System were copied and deployed in a Microsoft Windows environment with Micro Focus Enterprise Server.

    Explore the COBOL Connection for more examples of COBOL programming techniques and sample code.

    Explore an Extended List of Software Technologies that are available for review and evaluation. The software technologies (or Z-Packs) provide individual programming examples, documentation and test data files in a single package. The Z-Packs are usually in zip format to reduce the amount of time to download.

    Explore The ASCII and EBCDIC Translation Tables. These tables are provided for individuals that need to better understand the bit structures and differences of the encoding formats.

    Explore The File Status Return Codes to interpret the results of accessing VSAM data sets and/or QSAM files.

Internet Access Required

The following links will require an internet connect.

This suite of programs and documentation is available for download. Link to an Evaluation zPAK Option that includes the program members, documentation and control files.

A good place to start is The SimoTime Home Page for access to white papers, program examples and product information. This link requires an Internet Connection

Explore The Micro Focus Web Site for more information about products and services available from Micro Focus. This link requires an Internet Connection.

Glossary of Terms

    Explore the Glossary of Terms for a list of terms and definitions used in this suite of documents and white papers.

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