Data File Conversion A SimoPATH Task  Generate COBOL Source Code

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Introduction
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This document describes how to generate the COBOL source code for two programs. The first program will read an EBCDIC-encoded file and write an ASCII -encoded file. The data conversion will be performed by a second COBOL program that is called by the first COBOL program. 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 the 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 example illustrates the following functions.

Note: This module is part of The SimoPATH Series of training and reference materials. For more information refer to The Home Page for The SimoPATH Series.

Input to Generator Program
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Generating the COBOL source code to do the data file conversion is a two step process. The first step is to create the callable conversion program using the copy file as input. The second step is to create the I/O program using the specifications file as input.

The COBOL Copy File
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The file conversion is accomplished by reading a record, converting the content of the record and writing a record to a new file. The record-level conversion is done at the field-level. The COBOL copy file that defines the structure of a record layout is used to generate the callable conversion program.

Specifications for the I/O Program
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The following is the specifications file used in this session as input to create the I/O program. The statements in this files will be used to generate the source code that will read the EBCDIC encoded file and write the ASCII encoded file.

/Dialect   C2
/progid    ITKEKAC1
/sysut1    name=ITMGETDE org=Indexed recfm=variable rlen=512 klen=12 kpos=1
/sysut2    name=ITMPUTDA org=Indexed recfm=variable rlen=512 klen=12 kpos=1
*
/transmode E2A
/transcall ITME2AR1
*
/END

The following is a brief description of the statements used in the preceding example.

Generate the COBOL Source Code
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Start Windows Explorer and from the Desktop item select the following.

The following right-window-pane should be displayed. The "ItemE2Aexample.CMD" is the Windows command (.CMD) provided to run this job.

From Windows Explorer perform the following steps.

Executing the preceding should have generated the following three items.

The COBOL source members may now be compiled and executed as part of a Mainframe Express or Net Express project on a Windows platform. The Cobol source members may be transferred to a UNIX platform to be compiled and executed using Micro Focus COBOL. The source members may be transferred to a mainframe (z/OS or VSE) to be compiled and executed.

Summary
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The purpose of this is to describe how to generate the COBOL source code that will convert a data file from EBCDIC-encoding to ASCII-encoding.

Software Agreement and Disclaimer
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Permission to use, copy, modify and distribute this software, documentation or training material for any purpose requires a fee to be paid to SimoTime Enterprises. Once the fee is received by SimoTime the latest version of the software, documentation or training material will be delivered and a license will be granted for use within an enterprise, provided the SimoTime copyright notice appear on all copies of the software. The SimoTime name or Logo may not be used in any advertising or publicity pertaining to the use of the software without the written permission of SimoTime Enterprises.

SimoTime Enterprises makes no warranty or representations about the suitability of the software, documentation or learning material for any purpose. It is provided "AS IS" without any express or implied warranty, including the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement. SimoTime Enterprises shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, special or consequential damages resulting from the loss of use, data or projects, whether in an action of contract or tort, arising out of or in connection with the use or performance of this software, documentation or training material.

Downloads and Links to Similar Pages
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The Home Page for The SimoPATH Series  is the starting point to view information about training sessions and learning materials available from SimoTime Enterprises.

The SimoTime Home Page is the starting point to review all the information available from SimoTime Enterprises.

The SimoZAPS Utility Program has the capability of generating a COBOL program that will do the conversion of sequential and VSAM (KSDS) files between EBCDIC and ASCII. SimoZAPS can also read a sequential file in EBCDIC format and create an ASCII/CRLF file or VSAM KSDS file in ASCII format. The conversion tables may be viewed or modified to meet unique requirements. The Hexcess/2 function provides the capability of viewing, finding or patching the contents of a file in hexadecimal.

The SimoREC1 Utility Program has the capability of generating a callable COBOL program that will do the conversion of a data string between EBCDIC and ASCII. The generated COBOL source code or the conversion tables may be viewed or modified to meet unique requirements. The generated program may be called by an I/O program generated by SimoZAPS.

This item will provide a link to  an ASCII or EBCDIC translation table. A column for decimal, hexadecimal and binary is also included.

This document provides a quick summary of the  File Status Key  for VSAM data sets and QSAM files.

Check out  The VSAM - QSAM Connection  for more examples of mainframe VSAM and QSAM accessing techniques and sample code.

The hexadecimal dump of the parameter-buffer uses the same technique as describe in another SimoTime example that describes the dumping of a data string using COBOL. The name of the member that does the actual hexadecimal dump is called SimoDUMP. A copy file (PASSDUMP.CPY) is provided for defining the pass area.

You may view the complete list of examples at http://www.simotime.com/sim4dzip.htm and many are available as a SimoTime Z-Pack (a zip file package with sample source code, data and documentation).

Note: You must be attached to the Internet to download a Z-Pack or view the list.

Glossary of Terms
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Check out  The SimoTime Glossary  for a list of terms and definitions used in the documents provided by SimoTime.

Comments or Suggestions
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We appreciate your comments and feedback.

About SimoTime Enterprises, LLC
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Founded in 1987, SimoTime Enterprises is a privately owned, Limited Liability Corporation located in Novato, California. We specialize in the creation and deployment of business applications using new or existing technologies and services. We have a team of individuals that understand the broad range of technologies being used in today's environments. This includes the smallest thin client using the Internet and the very large mainframe systems. There is more to making the Internet work for your company's business than just having a nice looking WEB site. It is about combining the latest technologies and existing technologies with practical business experience. It's about the business of doing business and looking good in the process. Quite often, to reach larger markets or provide a higher level of service to existing customers it requires the newer Internet technologies to work in a complementary manner with existing corporate mainframe systems. Whether you want to use the Internet to expand into new market segments or as a delivery vehicle for existing business functions simply give us a call or check the web site at http://www.simotime.com