Numeric Formats
Mainframe and Micro Focus

Table of Contents

v-16.01.01 - spsnum01.htm

	Introduction
	Objective of Session
	Requirements
	Materials Provided
	Criteria for Success
	What to do and How to do it
	Task 1, Read the following Documents
	Task 2, Understanding Commonly Used Numeric Formats
	Summary
	Software Agreement and Disclaimer
	Downloads and Links
	Current Server or Internet Access
	Internet Access Required
	Glossary of Terms
	Comments or Feedback
	Company Overview

Introduction

The session will describe some of the common numeric formats used with COBOL on an IBM Mainframe System or on Windows and UNIX Systems with Micro Focus. The techniques used to prepare the numeric fields for printing, displaying or exporting to a non-COBOL or non-Mainframe environment are described as part of this session. The four common numeric formats discussed in this session are as follows.

Item	Description
1	BINARY, On an IBM Mainframe a binary field is 2, 4 or 8 bytes in length. A binary field is defined in COBOL with the USAGE IS COMPUTATIONAL clause. This is usually abbreviated as COMP.
2	PACKED-DECIMAL, On an IBM Mainframe a packed-decimal field uses one byte to store two digits except for the sign position that contains a single digit in the high-order nibble and the sign value in the low order nibble. A packed-decimal field is defined in COBOL with the USAGE IS COMPUTATIONAL-3 clause. This is usually abbreviated as COMP-3.
3	ZONED-DECIMAL, On an IBM Mainframe a zoned-decimal field contains the text value of a digit in each byte except in the sign position (this is usually the units position) which uses the high-order nibble to store the sign value. A zoned-decimal field is defined in COBOL with the USAGE IS DISPLAY clause. This USAGE clause is usually omitted since zoned-decimal is the default format for COBOL.
4	EDITED, typically used to prepare or convert numeric data that is stored in a variety of formats (refer to the preceding three formats) into a format that is easily read by human beings or easily exported to a non-Mainframe or non-COBOL environment such as an excel spreadsheet running on a Windows platform.

Commonly Used Numeric Formats

This session requires the SimoTime technologies and a copy of Micro Focus Net Express (preferably v4.0) to be installed on a Windows system. The session may be done with an earlier version of Net Express or Mainframe Express, The instructions will need to be adjusted accordingly. This session is available as a classroom offering or a self-study course.

To perform this exercise requires a basic knowledge of the Windows environment and Micro Focus Net Express. Additional help is provided for individuals that may not be proficient in the use of Net Express or have forgotten how to perform a particular function.

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.

Objective of Session

The objective of this session is to describe a process for manipulating and preparing the various numeric formats for printing in an edited format for readability or exporting from a mainframe-oriented, COBOL environment to a Windows or UNIX oriented environment using Micro Focus COBOL or other technologies such as excel spreadsheets. The following is a list of the minimum tasks to be completed for this session.

Item	Description
1	Review the common numeric formats used on an IBM Mainframe with a focus on the COBOL programming language.
2	Review the common numeric formats supported by Micro Focus COBOL running on a Windows or UNIX System.
3	Describe and show by example the preparation (or conversion) of numeric fields for printing or displaying in a human readable format.
4	Describe and show by example the preparation (or conversion) of numeric fields for exporting to a non-COBOL environment such as an excel spreadsheet.
5	Use a callable hexadecimal dump routine to show the actual content of the various numeric formats as written to a data file.

Objective of Session

Requirements

If this session is being performed through self-study then it will be necessary to install the following software on a Windows system. Windows/XP or Windows Server is preferred.

Item	Description
1	Either Micro Focus Net Express or Micro Focus Mainframe Express must be installed. Refer to the Micro Focus documentation for more information about these technologies. Both of these technologies are usually pre-installed for the classroom environment.
2	The SimoZAPS with SimoREC1 software that is available from SimoTime must be installed and configured. Both of these technologies are usually pre-installed for the classroom environment.
3	The DataMig1 directory that is available from SimoTime must be installed with the minimum data file and COBOL copy file. This directory is usually pre-installed for the classroom environment.

Software Requirements

Materials Provided

For the classroom environment two directories (C:\DATAMIG1 and C:\SIMOLIBR) are provided that contain the following information.

Item	Description
1	The C:\DATAMIG1\Expect\ItemFTP1.DAT is a test copy of an ASCII encoded Item Master File that includes PACKED and BINARY data. This file was transferred from the mainframe as a flat sequential file.
2	The C:\DATAMIG1\Actual\ItemASC1.DAT is a test copy of an ASCII encoded Item Master File that includes PACKED and BINARY data. This file was processed using Micro Focus COBOL on a Windows platform and is a Micro Focus indexed file.
3	The C:\DATAMIG1\STR\ItemMast.STR is a structure file used by the Micro Focus Data File Editor to display records in a formatted output based on a copy file.
4	The C:\DATAMIG1\COBCPY1\ItemCB01.CPY is the copy file for the item master file. This directory also contains CUSTCB01.CPY that is the copy file for the customer master file. The copy files are used to create the HTML documentation. They are not used to do the data file compare.
5	The C:\SIMOLIBR directory contains the SimoTime utility programs and additional copy files used to generate the conversion programs.

Materials Provided for this Session

Criteria for Success

The following items must be completed to meet the minimum requirements for successfully completing the proof of concept.

Item	Description
1	Demonstrate the execution of the sample COBOL programs using the animation feature of Micro Focus.
2	Show the data files that contain the various numeric formats using the Micro Focus data file editor.
3	Show the data file that contains the hexadecimal dump information using Notepad.
4	Provide HTML documentation for the record layout in order to relate the "position in record" with an actual field name based on a COBOL copy file.

Criteria for Success

What to do and How to do it

The objective of this project is to experience first-hand the issues that will be encountered and the solutions required to prepare (or convert) various numeric formats to a format that is readable by human beings and may be exported for use in non-COBOL or non-Mainframe environments.

For this project two directories will be used. The first directory (C:\SIMOLIBR) contains the utility programs and copy files needed to generate the COBOL data file comparison program. The C:\SIMOLIBR directory will need to be included in the PATH environment variable. The second directory (C:\DATAMIG1) contains the sample source code and data files specific to this learning session.

The following is a series of tasks that must be accomplished to successfully complete this learning session.

Task 1, Read the following Documents

The following items must be completed to meet the minimum requirements for successfully completing the proof of concept.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Task 2, Understanding Commonly Used Numeric Formats

WIP

Note: Work-In-Progress . . .

Summary

The session will describe some of the common numeric formats used with COBOL on an IBM Mainframe System or on Windows and UNIX Systems with Micro Focus. The techniques used to prepare the numeric fields for printing, displaying or exporting to a non-COBOL or non-Mainframe environment are described as part of this session. This document may be used 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 greater awareness of the Data Management and Application Processing alternatives.

The 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 Comments or Feedback section of this document.

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.

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.

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 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 icon.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

Explore The SIMOPATH Series starting at the home page to view information about training sessions and learning materials available from SimoTime Enterprises.

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.

Explore an Extended List of Software Technologies that are available for review and evaluation. The software technologies (or Z-Packs) provide individual programming examples, documentation and test data files in a single package. The Z-Packs are usually in zip format to reduce the amount of time to download.

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.

Explore the Hexadecimal Dump capabilites using COBOL to dump the content of a data string. This suite of programs includes a sample program that calls the SIMODUMP program to do the actual formatting for the hexadecimal dump information.

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 and services available from Micro Focus. This link requires an Internet Connection.

Glossary of Terms

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

Comments 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.

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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Numeric Formats, Mainframe and Micro Focus

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