EBCDIC-Sequential to ASCII-Indexed  COBOL Source To Create a Micro Focus File

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

This is an example of how a COBOL program can read a sequential file that has been downloaded from a mainframe in EBCDIC format and write to an ASCII-Idexed file. The COBOL source code was generated using SimoZAPS, a product of SimoTime Enterprises. The SimoZAPS utility program also has the capability of reading, writing or converting between other file formats.

In the world of programming there are many ways to solve a problem. This program is provided as a COBOL example of one of the possible solutions to the problem of changing the contents and structure of data files.

EBCDIC-Sequential to ASCII-Text (Sequential Add)
(Next) (Previous) (Table-of-Contents)

This program will read an EBCDIC, Sequential (QSAM) file and write an ASII-Indexed (VSAM, KSDS - Keyed Sequential Data Set) file. The keys must be in sequence (as defined by the ASCII collating sequence) for writing to the output file.

The sorting or collating sequence for ASCII and EBCDIC are different and produce different results. For example, with ASCII the numbers are sorted before the alphabet and with EBCDIC the numbers are sorted after the alphabet. If the key field is a combination of numeric and alphabetic characters it will probably be necessary to convert the EBCDIC-Sequential file to an ASCII-Sequential file, sort the ASCII-Sequential file and then convert the ASCII-Sequential file to an ASCII-Indexed file. Another alternative is to do an unordered load (or random-add) of the Indexed or KSDS file. This approach is slower than an ordered load but does allow for the key-fields to be added randomly to the indexed or KSDS file.

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

The following Windows command file (IVP4GFC2.CMD) is used to do the generation of the data conversion program.

@echo OFF
rem  * *******************************************************************
rem  *               IVP4GFC2.CMD - a Windows Command File               *
rem  *         This program is provided by SimoTime Enterprises          *
rem  *           (C) Copyright 1987-2012 All Rights Reserved             *
rem  *             Web Site URL:   http://www.simotime.com               *
rem  *                   e-mail:   helpdesk@simotime.com                 *
rem  * *******************************************************************
rem  * This process will read the SYSCNTL2.TXT file and create the
rem  * ZAP001C1.CBL file using the SYSMASK1.TXT as a mask.
rem  * The SYSCNTL2.TXT file is expected to contains the specifications
rem  * for reading a sequential, 80-byte, fixed, EBCDIC file and creating
rem  * an INDEXED, 256-byte maximum record length, variable, ASCII file
rem  * with the key position at 1 for a key length of 6.
rem  *
echo * IVP4GFC2 Starting the GENERATE function of SimoZAPS
     call EZMFPATH
     set SYSCNTL=syscntl2.txt
     set SYSMODEL=sysmask1.txt
     set SYSCOBOL=zap002c1.cbl
     type %syscntl%
     run simozaps GENERATE
echo * IVP4GFC2 SYSCOBOL is %syscobol%
echo * IVP4GFC2 SYSCNTL is %syscntl%
     call :PostNote "Finished JobName Ivp4Gfc2..."
     if "%1" == "NOSHOW" goto :End
     echo * Ivp4Gfc2 SYSCOBOL source is displayed in a separate window using NotePAD.
     start notepad %syscobol%
     goto :End
rem  *
rem  ****************************************************************
rem  * Display the message and write to the log file using ECHO.
rem  * The ~ causes the leading/trailing double-quotes to be removed.
rem  *
:PostNote
     if "%SimoNote%" == "" set SimoNote=c:\SimoTime.LOG
     echo %date% %time% %~1            >> %SimoNote%
     echo * Ivp4Gfc1 %~1
     goto :EOF
rem  * The preceding  :EOF is a reserved word/label that returns to
rem  * the statement after the call to :PostNote.
rem  *
rem  ******************************************************************************
:End
     echo * Ivp4Gfc2 Thank you for using the GENERATE function by SimoTime Enterprises
     pause

The Process Control File
(Next) (Previous) (Table-of-Contents)

The process control file (SYSCNTL2.TXT) provides the input specifications to generate a COBOL program that will do the actual data file conversion. The following is a listing of the content of the process control file.

***********************************************************************
*                SYSCNTL2.CTL - Input Specifications                  *
*    This is an example of the convert specifications to generate a   *
*        Data File Conversion Program. This is used by SimoZAPS       *
*                        SimoTime Enterprises                         *
*            (C) Copyright 1987-2012 All Rights Reserved              *
*              Web Site URL:   http://www.simotime.com                *
*                    e-mail:   helpdesk@simotime.com                  *
***********************************************************************
* SYSUT1 should be a sequential,  80-byte, fixed,    ebcdic file.     *
* SYSUT2 should be an INDEXED,   256-byte, variable, ascii file       *
*        with key position at 1 for a key length of 6.                *
*                                                                     *
* The DIALECT statement specifies the use of COBOL/2 compliant code   *
* for the generated conversion program.                               *
*                                                                     *
* The TransINIT statement will initialize the SYSUT2 record to X'20'  *
* or an ASCII SPACE character. This is especially useful when the     *
* output record length for SYSUT2 is greater than the input record    *
* length of SYSUT1. The hex value is used since the generated program *
* could run on the PC or the mainframe.                               *
*                                                                     *
* The VSAMLOAD statement specifies a sequential load or add of        *
* records to the indexed (i.e VSAM KSDS) file. If the input records   *
* (from SYSUT1) do not provide records in sequence by the key then a  *
* write error will occur when an attempt is made to write the record  *
* to SYSUT2. The IVP4GFC5.BAT provides an example of an unordered or  *
* random load or update of a VSAM Keyed Sequential Data Set.          *
***********************************************************************
/Dialect   C2
/VSAMload  Sequential
/progid    ZAP002C1
/sysut1    name=ZAP002D1 org=sequential recfm=fixed    rlen=80
/sysut2    name=ZAP002D2 org=indexed    recfm=variable rlen=256 klen=6 kpos=1
*
/transmode E2A
/transinit X'20'
/translate From pos 1 len 80 To pos 1 len 80
*
/END

The COBOL Program
(Next) (Previous) (Table-of-Contents)

The COBOL program that does the actual conversion is generated by the SimoZaps Utility program. This link provides a View of the COBOL Source Code and Copy File that does a file format and record content conversion from an EBCDIC encoded record sequential file to an ASCII encoded indexed file (or Key-sequenced-data-set KSDS).

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

The purpose of this document is 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 choice of alternatives.

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 expressed 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)

This section includes links to documents with additional information that is beyond the scope and purpose of this document. The first sub-section requires an internet connection, the second sub-section references locally available documents.

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

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

    Explore the non-Relational Data Connection for more examples of accessing methodologies and coding techniques for Data Files and VSAM Data Sets.

    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.

The following is a list of some of the conversion programs created by the GENERATE function of SimoZAPS. These are provided as programming examples for COBOL.

Downloads and Links, Internet Access Required
(Next) (Previous) (Table-of-Contents)

The following links will require an internet connect.

A good place to start is The SimoTime Home Page via Internet Connect for access to white papers, program examples and product information.

Explore The Micro Focus Web Site via Internet Connect for more information about products and services available from Micro Focus.

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, Suggestions or Feedback
(Next) (Previous) (Table-of-Contents)

This document was created and is copyrighted and maintained by SimoTime Enterprises.

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

We appreciate hearing from you.

Company Overview
(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