Data Management Series
Non-Relational Data Management
  Table of Contents  v-24.01.01 - dfsers01.htm 
  Introduction
  Data Management, White Papers
  Data File Abstract
  Data File Transfer
  Data File Convert
  Data File Compare
  File Formats for Micro Focus
  Data & Processing Alternatives
  File Conversion and File Formatting
  File Conversion, ASCII and EBCDIC
  Data Convert & Compare Cycles
  Document Record Structures
  Manage a Data File Repository
  Numeric Formats, Extra Insight
  Summary
  Software Agreement and Disclaimer
  Downloads and Links
  Current Server or Internet Access
  Internet Access Required
  Glossary of Terms
  Contact or Feedback
  Company Overview
The SimoTime Home Page 

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Introduction

The primary purpose of this document is to provide a consolidated resource of information about application migrations between Mainframe systems and Windows or UNIX systems supported by Micro Focus technologies. The concepts available may be used regardless of the direction of the migration. A subset of moving or migrating an application is the data file management involved when moving, sharing and possibly converting data files.

A special "Thank you" to Larry Simmons of Micro Focus for providing much of the information that is presented in this series of white papers and sample programs.

We have made a significant effort to ensure the documents and software technologies are correct and accurate. We reserve the right to make changes without notice at any time. The function delivered in this version is based upon the enhancement requests from a specific group of users. The intent is to provide changes as the need arises and in a timeframe that is dependent upon the availability of resources.

Copyright © 1987-2025
SimoTime Technologies and Services
All Rights Reserved

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Data Management, White Papers

This section provides examples and links to documents that describe the management of data sharing or application migration between an IBM Mainframe System and a Windows System using Micro Focus. The information provided will cover data file transfer, conversion and comparison of non-relation or traditional sequential files and VSAM, Keyed Sequential Data Sets (KSDS).

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Data File Abstract

This is a link to a white paper that provides a quick overview of the data management tasks required to migrate or share data between a Mainframe system and a Windows or UNIX system.

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Data File Transfer

This is a link to a white paper that provides a quick overview of the data file transfer options available when transferring or sharing data between a Mainframe system and a Windows or UNIX system.

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Data File Convert

This is a link to a white paper that provides a quick overview of the possible data file conversion options available when migrating or sharing data between a Mainframe system and a Windows or UNIX system.

The self-study session for data file conversion includes a discussion about file conversion with a focus on EBCDIC and ASCII content conversion. The session includes a hands-on exercise that does an actual conversion of a data file that includes packed and binary data. The exercise shows how to do file content conversion at the field level.

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Data File Compare

This is a link to a white paper that provides a quick overview of the possible data file comparison options available when testing an application or data that has been moved between a Mainframe system and a Windows or UNIX system.

The self-study session for comparing data files uses a generated COBOL program to compare two data files. The session includes a hands-on exercise that does an actual data file comparison.

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section File Formats for Micro Focus

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 and supported by Micro Focus.

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Data & Processing Alternatives

This section provides examples and links to documents that describe the challenges and solutions of migrating or sharing data between systems of different architectures. The following link discusses some of the Possibilities and Considerations for Application Migration and Data Sharing.

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section File Conversion and File Formatting

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

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section File Conversion, ASCII and EBCDIC

This is a link to a white paper with an example that provides a quick overview of the various File Content Conversion, ASCII and EBCDIC provided for the Windows and UNIX environments and supported by Micro Focus.

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Data Convert & Compare Cycles

This link provides an example of the various conversion and comparison processes that move data from EBCDIC encoded environments to ASCII encoded environments and from a Mainframe format to a format that may be easily imported into an excel spreadsheet. This suite of sample programs and documentation may be downloaded for training and evaluation purposes.

Note: You must have a connection to the internet to download a software package.

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Document Record Structures

This document will describe and demonstrate how to create HTML documentation for record structures (non-relational files and/or VSAM Data Sets) based on the definitions provided from a COBOL copy file. To run the jobs described in this document will require the SimoTime Enterprise License for SIMOLIBR01 or SIMOZAPS02. Also, Micro Focus Enterprise Server or Enterprise Developer is required.

Link to Internet   Link to Server   Explore how to create multiple HTML documents for record structures based on the definitions provided from the COBOL copy files. This includes record layouts for non-relational files and/or VSAM Data Sets.

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Manage a Data File Repository

This link provides an example of managing a File Properties Repository. This capability and the information it provides is quite useful when supporting applications or migrating an application (source code, control information and data) from a Mainframe System to a Linux, UNIX or Windows System using Micro Focus technologies. This suite of sample programs and documentation may be downloaded for training and evaluation purposes.

Note: You must have a connection to the internet to download a software package.

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Numeric Formats, Extra Insight

The following table is a list of white papers that provides more detailed information about the four various numeric formats used on an IBM Mainframe.

Numeric Type Description
Zoned Decimal This document describes the zoned-decimal format. This is coded in COBOL as USAGE IS DISPLAY and is the default format if the USAGE clause is missing.
Packed This document describes the packed-decimal format. This is coded in COBOL as USAGE IS COMPUTATIONAL-3 and is usually coded in its abbreviated form of COMP-3.
Binary This document describes the binary format. This is coded in COBOL as USAGE IS COMPUTATIONAL and is usually coded in its abbreviated form of COMP. This may also be coded with the keyword BINARY.
Edited Numeric This document describes the packed-decimal format. This is coded in COBOL as USAGE IS COMPUTATIONAL-3 and is usually coded in its abbreviated form of COMP-3.
Numeric Types This suite of example programs will describe the format and size of some of the commonly used numeric fields of the COBOL programming language. This example also illustrates how to redefine a numeric field and how to display the actual hexadecimal content of a numeric field.
Numeric Conversion This suite of example programs describes how to convert between the various numeric formats (or data types) used with COBOL and on an IBM Mainframe System. Also, this example illustrates how to display the actual hexadecimal content of a numeric field using a callable dump routine.
  Links to Additional Information about Commonly used Numeric Formats

 

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Summary

Migrating an application between systems of similar architecture (i.e. upgrade to existing mainframe) can be a challenging task. Migrating an application from a Mainframe, EBCDIC encoded system to a Wintel, ASCII encoded system requires an even higher level of planning and attention to detail.

With careful planning and a documented process the application migration process can move forward to a successful conclusion. 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 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.

SIMOTIME Services has experience in moving or sharing data or application processing across a variety of systems. For additional information about SIMOTIME Services or Technologies please contact us using the information in the  Contact or Feedback  section of this document.

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Software Agreement and Disclaimer

Permission to use, copy, modify and distribute this software, documentation or training material for any purpose requires a fee to be paid to SimoTime Technologies. 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 Technologies.

SimoTime Technologies 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 Technologies 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.

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section 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.

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Current Server or Internet Access

The following links may be to the current server or to the Internet.

Note: The latest versions of the SimoTime Documents and Program Suites are available on the Internet and may be accessed using the Link to Internet 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 Link to Server icon.

Link to Internet   Link to Server   Explore a Series of White Papers for non-relational data files. This includes information about data file management in a diverse or mixed systems environment.

Link to Internet   Link to Server   Explore a quick overview of the data file management tasks for data file transfer, conversion and comparison. Ever since the second computer was introduced into the world the file management tasks of data file transfer, share, convert and compare (or data file validation) have been technically challenging.

Link to Internet   Link to Server   Explore the alternatives for transferring data files between systems. This link provides access to a repository of information that includes the transferring and/or sharing of data between Mainframe (ZOS or VSE), Linux, UNIX and Windows Systems.

Link to Internet   Link to Server   Explore the Principles of Data File Conversion. This link includes guidelines for defining requirements and determining the scope of effort for a data conversion effort.

Link to Internet   Link to Server   Explore the Principles of Data File Comparison. This link includes guidelines for defining requirements and determining the scope of effort for a data comparison effort.

Link to Internet   Link to Server   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.

Link to Internet   Link to Server   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.

Link to Internet   Link to Server   Explore The File Status Return Codes that are used to interpret the results of accessing VSAM data sets and/or QSAM files.

Link to Internet   Link to Server   Explore The Binary or COMP format for numeric data strings. This numeric structure is supported by COBOL and may be explicitly defined with the "USAGE IS COMP" or "USAGE IS BINARY" clause.

Link to Internet   Link to Server   Explore The Edited for Display format for numeric data strings. This numeric structure is supported by COBOL and may be used with an edit-mask to prepare the presentation for readability by human beings.

Link to Internet   Link to Server   Explore The Packed-Decimal or COMP-3 format for numeric data strings. This numeric structure is supported by COBOL and may be explicitly defined with the "USAGE IS COMP-3" clause.

Link to Internet   Link to Server   Explore The Zoned-Decimal format for numeric data strings. This numeric structure is the default numeric for COBOL and may be explicitly defined with the "USAGE IS DISPLAY" clause.

Link to Internet   Link to Server   Explore commonly used formats and processing techniques for managing various numeric formats available on the mainframe.

Link to Internet   Link to Server   Explore the Numbers Connection for additional information about the structure and processing of numeric data items (or numeric fields).

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Internet Access Required

The following links will require an internet connect.

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 (including Micro Focus COBOL) and services available from Micro Focus. This link requires an Internet Connection.

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Glossary of Terms

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

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Contact or Feedback

This document was created and is maintained by SimoTime Technologies. If you have any questions, suggestions, comments or feedback please use the following contact information.

1. Send an e-mail to our helpdesk.
1.1. helpdesk@simotime.com.
2. Our telephone numbers are as follows.
2.1. 1 415 763-9430 office-helpdesk
2.2. 1 415 827-7045 mobile

 

We appreciate hearing from you.

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Company Overview

SimoTime Technologies was founded in 1987 and 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. Our customers include small businesses using Internet technologies to corporations using very large mainframe systems.

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. We specialize in preparing applications and the associated data that are currently residing on a single platform to be distributed across a variety of platforms.

Preparing the application programs will require the transfer of source members that will be compiled and deployed on the target platform. The data will need to be transferred between the systems and may need to be converted and validated at various stages within the process. SimoTime has the technology, services and experience to assist in the application and data management tasks involved with doing business in a multi-system environment.

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

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Non-Relational Data Management Processes
Copyright © 1987-2025
SimoTime Technologies and Services
All Rights Reserved
When technology complements business
http://www.simotime.com