Micro Focus Gateway  Gateways to Technology http://www.simotime.com

Introduction
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The SimoTime Gateways to Technology offer practical, solution-oriented examples that use specific technologies. The Micro Focus Gateway provides documentation and sample source code to address specific programming requirements. Also included are tips and techniques for data file conversions and migrating applications between different platforms such as the IBM mainframe, Windows and UNIX. For specific information about Micro Focus products and services visit their web site at http://www.microfocus.com.

Technology Focus for Micro Focus
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Micro Focus offers a wide range of products and technologies for COBOL oriented applications that run on Mainframes, Windows and UNIX platforms. This section provides COBOL oriented examples using two of the Micro Focus products, Mainframe Express and Net Express.

Mainframe Express
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The Mainframe Express (MFE) product provides a mainframe development platform that runs with Windows. MFE provides a COBOL compiler with support for the various mainframe dialects and the ability to run mainframe jobs using mainframe JCL.. A mainframe Assembler, a CICS Emulator, an IMS Emulator and DB/2 support are provided as additional options. A Mainframe Access (MFA) component is also included for connectivity to the mainframe and easy downloading and uploading of source code. In addition, VSAM Data Sets may be quickly downloaded and reformatted with a simple point-and-click process. This is an excellent tool for maintaining, testing and/or debugging mainframe applications independent of the mainframe.

The 370 Assembler Connection
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Many of the applications running on IBM Mainframes include routines or programs that are written in 370 Assembler. This link is intended for individuals that are learning, creating or maintaining applications that include 370 Assembler routines or programs. Unless otherwise stated the examples provided in  The Assembler Connection  will run on an IBM Mainframe using MVS or a Personal Computer using Windows and Micro Focus Mainframe Express.

The COBOL Connection
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Many of the applications running on IBM Mainframes are COBOL centric or written entirely in COBOL. This link is intended for individuals that are learning, creating or maintaining applications that are COBOL centric. Unless otherwise stated the examples provided in  The COBOL Connection  will run on an IBM Mainframe using MVS or a Personal Computer using Windows and Micro Focus Mainframe Express.

The Mainframe JCL Connection
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Batch applications running on IBM Mainframes with MVS or OS/390 usually require a JCL (Job Control Language) member to allocate data files and run the programs in a predefined sequence. This link is intended for individuals that are learning, creating or maintaining batch applications and need examples of mainframe JCL. Unless otherwise stated the examples provided in  The JCL Connection  will run on an IBM Mainframe using MVS or a Personal Computer using Windows and Micro Focus Mainframe Express.

The VSAM-QSAM Connection
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Many of the applications running on IBM Mainframes access information that is stored in VSAM Data Sets or QSAM files. This link is intended for individuals that are learning, creating or maintaining applications that access VSAM data sets or QSAM files. Unless otherwise stated the examples provided in  The VSAM-QSAM Connection  will run on an IBM Mainframe using MVS or a Personal Computer using Windows and Micro Focus Mainframe Express.

Studio Enterprise Edition or Net Express
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The Net Express product is COBOL oriented and provides a focus with Windows running on intel machines. The Net Express product also provides support for developing Java front-ends and calling COBOL programs . Since COBOL has additional function not provided by Java this immediately gives Java programmers extended capability. For example, Java does not provide support for accessing Indexed files and COBOL does this quite well. With the capability provided by Net Express the Java programmer quickly has access to Indexed files with a simple call. With the latest version of Net Express it is now possible to have and internet front-end using Java Server Pages (JSP's) and Java programs accessing data and processes using COBOL programs. The COBOL programs may be procedural or object-oriented. The programs (this includes the JSP's, Java and COBOL) may be used on a Windows platform and/or ported to UNIX platforms.

Net Express, File Conversion
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There are many options available when moving and converting data between a mainframe and a PC. This document will discuss the cycle of how to convert a VSAM, KSDS to a flat Sequential file on the mainframe, download the flat sequential file from the mainframe to the PC and create an Indexed file of ASCII content on the PC. Additional programs are included for converting ASCII, Text files to Indexed files. These examples also show how to manage Packed-Decimal and BINARY or COMP fields. The File Conversion document provides examples of some of the possibly solutions when transferring files between platforms and converting both the file type and record content.

Net Express, Java and COBOL Interoperability
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A fifteen (15) day "Discovery-Session and Proof-of-Concept" project was completed by SimoTime Enterprises during December, 2001. The objective of this project was to determine the practicality of using existing COBOL programs or parts of programs to backend an Internet frontend written in Java. This project used the Java Developer's Kit (JDK) from Sun Microsystems, Micro Focus Net Express for the COBOL and a Lite Web Server from Gefion Software. The Java and COBOL document presents the results of the SimoTime December Project.

Net Express, Environment Variables, Command Line and File Name
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This is an example of how a COBOL program can access (i.e. Get or Set) environment variables using Micro Focus Net Express. The sample program start by setting an environment variable for a file name. The program then gets the environment variable and displays the environment value on the screen. Next the program calls a second program that does file I/O. Since the second program is compiled with the SEQUENTIAL(LINE) directive the second program will read the ASCII/Text file specified in the environment value that was set in the first program. The Environment Variables, Command Line and File Name document presents the results of the SimoTime December Project.

Scripted Application Build for Batch or Online
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This suite of programs and documentation is an introduction or overview of the scripted application build process for an application that has been moved from a Mainframe System to a Windows system running a Micro Focus sub-system such as Enterprise Server, Application Server or Net Express. This is a link for additional information about the Scripted Application Build for the Windows environment running Micro Focus Enterprise Server and Net Express 5.0 or later.

Generating and Loading a non-Executable Member from Assembler Coded Table Definitions
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In the CICS environment on the mainframe it was a common practice to use the EXEC CICS LOAD function to load a data table into memory. These data tables were typically created as mainframe assembler source members. The source members were then compiled and linked as non-Executable load members. This example will describe how to create a non-executable member from Assembler Source Code for the Micro Focus Studio and Server environments running in EBCDIC or ASCII by reading the source member and creating a .MOD file.

Micro Focus Server Enterprise Edition
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The Enterprise Edition of the Micro Focus Server provides a path for migrating mainframe applications between a Mainframe and a Windows, UNIX or Linux System.

The ezSERIES for the Micro Focus Server Environment
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This document is an introduction or overview of the ezSERIES of Windows Command files that may be used to start a region within Enterprise Server, submit or schedule batch jobs to a region within Enterprise Server or stop a region within Enterprise Server. This is a link for additional information about The ezSERIES for the Windows environment running Micro Focus Enterprise Server and Net Express 5.0 or later.

Populate a Catalog for the Micro Focus Server Environment
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When doing an "application migration" or "transferring and sharing data" between a Mainframe System and a Windows System with Micro Focus Server it can be a challenge to create and populate the Server Catalog entries and make this a repeatable process. This document describes a possible solution to this challenge. This is a link for additional information about Populating a Catalog for the Windows environment running Micro Focus Enterprise Server or Net Express 5.0 or later.

Catalog List from Windows Command Line
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This utility program will list the contents of the CATALOG.DAT file that is used by Micro Focus Server for Mainframe Migration and Mainframe Express. This is a link for additional information about the Catalog List Program for the Windows environment running Micro Focus Enterprise Server and Net Express 5.0 or later.

Override Default File Location
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This example will focus on Micro Focus Enterprise Server and the Mainframe Sub-System (or ES/MSS). When a Region (or Server) is configured within Micro Focus Enterprise Server to run batch jobs (i.e. submit JCL) a default directory is defined and used for placement of new physical files that are allocate by a job. This is an example of how to catalog a new data set and override the base configuration and place the physical file in an alternate directory. Simply click on one of the following items to learn more or download this sample set of programs.

JCL Scanner
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This utility program will read a list of member names (JCL, Proc's or Parameter Files) and scan each member loking for file information in DD statements or IDCAMS with Delete/Define statements.. This is a link for additional information about the JCL Scanner for the Windows environment running Micro Focus Enterprise Server and Net Express 5.0 or later.

File Formats for Micro Focus
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This is a link to a white paper that provides a quick overview of the various Micro Focus File Formats provided for the Windows and UNIX environments supported by Micro Focus

Summary
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The purpose of this document is to assist as a tutorial for new programmers or as a quick reference for experienced programmers. This section provides access to various other WEB sites. The links are provided solely as a convenience to you and not as an endorsement by SimoTime Enterprises of the content of such Web sites. SimoTime Enterprises is not responsible for the content of linked Web sites and does not make any representations regarding the content or accuracy of materials on such linked Web sites. If you decide to access linked Web sites, you do so at your own risk.

Software Agreement and Disclaimer
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Permission to use, copy, modify and distribute this software for any non-commercial purpose and without fee is hereby granted, 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.

SimoTime Enterprises makes no warranty or representations about the suitability of the software 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.

Links to Similar Pages of Interest
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Check out   The SimoTime Home Page for more examples of mainframe programming techniques and sample code.

Check out the Help text for more information about the actual use of Micro Focus technologies.

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

About SimoTime Enterprises
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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