Data File Editor  Create a Structure File http://www.simotime.com

Introduction
(Next) (Previous) (Table-of-Contents)

Micro Focus Mainframe Express and Net Express have a Data File Editor that may be used to view or edit Sequential or Indexed files. One of the features of the Data File Editor is to map the records in the file to a record layout definition that is included in a structure file (filename.STR).

The purpose of this document is to show how to create a structure file from a record layout that is defined in a COBOL copy file or COBOL source member.

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.

Open an Existing Net Express Project
(Next) (Previous) (Table-of-Contents)

Refer to the documentation for Opening an Existing Net Express Project to prepare for creating a structure file.

After opening a Net Express project the following window should be displayed.

Create a Structure File
(Next) (Previous) (Table-of-Contents)

From the following screen prepare to create a structure file.

The following screen should be displayed.

Step 1, Selecting the Record Definition
(Next) (Previous) (Table-of-Contents)

From the following screen select the line of source code in the program that defines the record layout.

Step 2, Choose the Record Layout Type
(Next) (Previous) (Table-of-Contents)

The following screen should be displayed.

Step 3, Create the Record Layout
(Next) (Previous) (Table-of-Contents)

The following screen should be displayed.

Step 4, Save the Structure File
(Next) (Previous) (Table-of-Contents)

The following screen should be displayed.

Step 5, Specify the Location to Save the Structure File
(Next) (Previous) (Table-of-Contents)

The following screen should be displayed.

Note: If the structure file is stored in the same directory as the data file and given the same name as the data file (with a .STR extension) then the structure file will be loaded automatically by the Micro Focus Data File Editor.

Step 6, Close the Structure File Create Process
(Next) (Previous) (Table-of-Contents)

The following screen should be displayed.

Viewing Records using the Structure File
(Next) (Previous) (Table-of-Contents)

Refer to the documentation for Viewing Records using the Structure File to prepare for creating a structure file.

Summary
(Next) (Previous) (Table-of-Contents)

The purpose of this document is to show how to create a structure file that may be used by the Micro Focus Data File Editor to view a file and map the records to a data structure defined in a COBOL copy file or source member.

Software Agreement and Disclaimer
(Next) (Previous) (Table-of-Contents)

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
(Next) (Previous) (Table-of-Contents)

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 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.

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

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

Check out  The SimoTime Library  for a wide range of topics for Programmers, Project Managers and Software Developers.

To review all the information available on this site start at  The SimoTime Home Page .

Glossary of Terms
(Next) (Previous) (Table-of-Contents)

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

Comments or Suggestions
(Next) (Previous) (Table-of-Contents)

If you have any questions, suggestions or comments please call or send an e-mail to: helpdesk@simotime.com

We appreciate your comments and feedback.

About SimoTime Enterprises
(Next) (Previous) (Table-of-Contents)

Founded in 1987, SimoTime Enterprises is a privately owned company. 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