Data File Convert Generate & Execute the Programs

Introduction

When sharing data between two or more systems of differing architectures the need to convert data becomes a requirement.The physicaL file structures (or file formats) and encoding schemas (Record Content) vary widely across systems.

This document will focus on the task of generating COBOL programs that will do a file format or record content conversion. The generation phase will require a Windows system. The generated source code may be compiled and executed on a system of choice.

Note: For explanation purposes this document will reference a default setup and configuration environment that is used by SimoTime.

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

Objectives

This example illustrates the following functions.

Requirements & Configuration

This suite of samples programs will run on the following platforms.

For explanation purposes this document will assume a default setup and configuration of the SimoTime Technologies.

    Explore the SIMOUSER directory structure. The SIMOUSER Library is a directory and sub-directory structure that provides an environment for analyst, technical administrators, testing groups and support individuals to generate and execute programs that will be used to convert, verify or review the content and properties of non-relational data structures.

Generate & Promote

The generation processing task is a "one-time" effort. Once it is completed the items (documents or programs) may be promoted to a shared environment and accessed based on user demand.

The following diagram shows the logic flow for a batch job that describes and demonstrates how to use a template to create new COBOL programs that will do data conversion.

Color Associations: The  light-green  boxes are unique to SIMOTIME Technologies using an IBM Mainframe System or Micro Focus Enterprise Developer. The  light-red  boxes are unique to the SIMOTIME Technologies using a Linux, UNIX or Windows System and COBOL Technologies such as Micro Focus. The  light-yellow  boxes are SIMOTIME Technologies, Third-party Technologies, decision points or program transitions in the processing logic or program generations. The  light-blue  boxes identify the input/output data structures such as Documents, Spreadsheets, Data Files, VSAM Data Sets, Partitioned Data Set Members (PDSM's) or Relational Tables. The  light-gray  boxes identify a system function or an informational item.

The programs that do Data Conversion are categorized as Data Conversion programs. The working library for generating Data Conversion programs is C:\SIMOUSER\DEVL\SIMOGENS\CONVERTS.

Windows Explorer will be used to navigate between the folders and execute the programs within the SIMOUSER working environment. Use the Windows Start Button to open a Windows Explorer session

Note: The following assumes Windows Explorer is configured with the Navigation Pane displayed on the left side of the screen and the Preview Pane displayed on the right side of the screen.

This completes the "Generate & Promote" process.

Compile & Deploy

The working library for compiling COBOL propgrams is C:\SIMOUSER\DEVL\ADM1 folder.

Windows Explorer will be used to navigate between the folders and execute the programs within the SIMOUSER working environment. Use the Windows Start Button to open a Windows Explorer session

Note: The following assumes Windows Explorer is configured with the Navigation Pane displayed on the left side of the screen and the Preview Pane displayed on the right side of the screen.

This completes the "Compile & Deploy" process.

Execute & Review

The following diagram shows the logic flow of a batch job that describes and demonstrates how to do a file format and record content conversion.

The working library for executing the programs is the C:\SIMOUSER\DEVL\LOADLIB folder.

Windows Explorer will be used to navigate between the folders and execute the programs within the SIMOUSER working environment. Use the Windows Start Button to open a Windows Explorer session

Note: The following assumes Windows Explorer is configured with the Navigation Pane displayed on the left side of the screen and the Preview Pane displayed on the right side of the screen.

This completes the "Execute" process.

Execute the Convert Programs

The following (CUHEXKW3.cmd) is the Job Script that is used to map the file names and execute the data file convert program. This job will map the file names and execute the program that will do the data file conversion.

@echo OFF
rem  * *******************************************************************
rem  *               CUREKAW1.CMD - a Windows Command File               *
rem  *         This program is provided by SimoTime Technologies         *
rem  *           (C) Copyright 1987-2019 All Rights Reserved             *
rem  *             Web Site URL:   http://www.simotime.com               *
rem  *                   e-mail:   helpdesk@simotime.com                 *
rem  * *******************************************************************
rem  *
rem  * Text   - Read EBCDIC Customer Master, write ASCII Customer Master.
rem  * Author - SimoTime Technologies
rem  * Date   - January 24, 1996
rem  *
rem  * The job will read an EBCDIC-encoded Customer Master File and write
rem  * to a new ASCII-encoded Customer Master File (or VSAM, KSDS).
rem  *
rem  *    ************
rem  *    * CUREKAW1 *
rem  *    ********cmd*
rem  *         *
rem  *         *
rem  *    ************
rem  *    * ENV1BASE *
rem  *    ********cmd*
rem  *         *
rem  *         *
rem  *    ************
rem  *    * SimoNOTE *
rem  *    ********cmd*
rem  *         *
rem  *         *
rem  *    ************
rem  *    *   RUN    *---------------------------*
rem  *    ********rts*                           *
rem  *         *           ************     ************     ************
rem  *         *           * CUSRE512 *-----* CUREKAC1 *-----* CUSKA512 *
rem  *         *           *  Note-1  *     ********cbl*     *  Note-2  *
rem  *         *           *******rseq*                      *******ksds*
rem  *    ************
rem  *    *   EOJ    *
rem  *    ************
rem  *
rem  *    Note-1: CUSRE512 is an EBCDIC-encoded, record sequential (RSEQ)
rem  *            file. This file was downloaded from an IBM Mainframe
rem  *            System using FTP and BINARY MODE.
rem  *
rem  *    Note-2: CUSKA512 is an ASCII-encoded,indexed file that may be
rem  *            referred to as a Key-Sequenced Data Set (KSDS). This
rem  *            file is created by this job.
rem  *
rem  * *******************************************************************
rem  * Step 1, Set Environment Variables
rem  *         Delete any previously created ASCII-encoded file...
rem  *
     call ..\Env1BASE
     set CmdName=CUSE2AW1
rem  *
     call SimoNOTE "*******************************************************%CmdName%"
     call SimoNOTE "Starting JobName %CmdName%, User is %USERNAME%"
     call SimoNOTE "Identify JobStep Step-1, Housekeeping tasks"
     set CUSRE512=%BaseLib1%\DATA\EBC1\SIMOTIME.DATA.CUSRE512.DAT
     set CUSKS512=%BaseLib1%\DATA\Wrk1\SIMOTIME.DATA.CUSKA512.DAT
     if exist %CUSKS512% del %CUSKS512%
rem  *
rem  * *******************************************************************
rem  * Step 2, Read EBCDIC-encoded KSDS, create a new ASCII-encoded KSDS
rem  *
     call SimoNOTE "Identify JobStep Step-2, Execute EBCDIC to ASCII Conversion"
     call SimoNOTE "DataTake RSE CUSRE512=%CUSRE512%"
     call SimoNOTE "DataMake KSA CUSKS512=%CUSKS512%"
     run CUREKAC1
     if not "%ERRORLEVEL%" == "0" set JobStatus=0010
     if not "%JobStatus%" == "0000" goto EojNOK
     if exist %CUSKS512% goto EojAOK
     set JobStatus=0020
     goto EojNOK
:EojAOK
     call SimoNOTE "Produced  %CUSKS512%"
     call SimoNOTE "Finished CmdName %CmdName%, Job Status is %JobStatus%"
     goto :End
:EojNOK
     call SimoNOTE "ABENDING CmdName %CmdName%, Job Status is %JobStatus%"
     echo %DATE% - %TIME% Starting User ABEND Processing...>>%SYSLOG%
     set >>%SYSLOG%
     echo %DATE% - %TIME% Complete User ABEND Processing...>>%SYSLOG%
     goto :End
:End
     call SimoNOTE "Conclude SysOut is %SYSOUT%"
     if not "%1" == "nopause" pause
     exit /B %JobStatus%

Review the Results

The following shows the output that is posted to the SYSOUT device.

* CUREKAC1 ********************************************************************
* CUREKAC1 Starting, Read EBCDIC/RSEQ, Load ASCII/KSDS  http://www.SimoTime.com
* CUREKAC1 Read EBCDIC/RSEQ, Load ASCII/KSDS  v16.01.01   helpdesk@simotime.com
* CUREKAC1 This Data File Convert Member was generated by SimoTime Technologies
* CUREKAC1 000000250 - Line count for CUSRE512
* CUREKAC1 000000250 - Line count for CUSKS512
* CUREKAC1 Complete, Read EBCDIC/RSEQ, Load ASCII/KSDS  http://www.SimoTime.com

Technical Details

This section provides additional technical details about the modules that are included in the batch job example.

Ancillary Functions

The following items are referenced by this set of programs. Their creation and support are described in the linked documents.

Set the Environment

A command file (ENV1BASE.cmd) is called from other command files to set commonly used environment variables. This provides a single point of definition. The following is a listing of the contents of the command file.

@echo OFF
rem  * *******************************************************************
rem  *               ENV1BASE.cmd - a Windows Command File               *
rem  *        This program is provided by SimoTime Technologies          *
rem  *           (C) Copyright 1987-2021 All Rights Reserved             *
rem  *             Web Site URL:   http://www.simotime.com               *
rem  *                   e-mail:   helpdesk@simotime.com                 *
rem  * *******************************************************************
rem  *
rem  * Text   - Provide a single point to set common environment variables.
rem  * Author - SimoTime Technologies
rem  * Date   - January 24, 1996
rem  *
rem  * Set the commonly used environment variables. This is used to provide
rem  * a single point for managing the commonly used environment variables.
rem  *
     set SimoLIBR=c:\SimoLIBR
     set BASELIB1=c:\SIMOSAM1\DEVL
     set BASELIB8=c:\SimoSAM8
     set BaseWIP1=c:\SimoSAM1\WIP1
     set DATAZERO=c:\SIMODATA\DEVL\DATA\ZERO
     set BASEAPP=%BaseLib1%
     set BASESYS=%BaseLib1%\SYS1
     set BASECAT=%BaseLib1%\DATA
     set UMAPALIB=%BASECAT%\ASC1
     set UMAPELIB=%BASECAT%\EBC1
     set SYSLOG=%BASESYS%\LOGS\SYSLOG_USER.DAT
     set SYSOUT=%BASEAPP%\LOGS\SYSOUT_SIMSAM01.txt
     set SLZMSG=%BASEAPP%\LOGS\SLZMSG_USER.TXT
     set PostNOTE=%BASEAPP%\LOGS\JOBLOG_SIMONOTE.TXT
     set SIMONOTE=%BASEAPP%\LOGS\JOBLOG_SIMONOTE.txt
     set USERPOST=%BASEAPP%\LOGS\ASSIGNED_USER_POST_FILE.txt
     if [%1]==[] goto NO_POST
     set SYSOUT=%BaseLib1%\LOGS\SYSOUT_%1.txt
     call SIMONOTE "+ ENV1BASE *"
     call SIMONOTE "+ ENV1BASE ********************************************************************%1"
     call SIMONOTE "+ ENV1BASE is preparing the System Environment..."
     call SIMONOTE "+ SIMOLIBR is %SIMOLIBR%"
     call SIMONOTE "+ MIFOSYS1 is %MIFOSYS1%"
     call SIMONOTE "+ BASELIB1 is %BASELIB1%"
:NO_POST
     call SIMONOTE "+ SIMONOTE Job Log File is %SIMONOTE% "
rem  *
     set MQBASE=C:\Program Files\IBM\WebSphere MQ
rem  *
rem  * Set the location for the Apache-Tomcat Server...
     set CATALINA_HOME=C:\APACHETC\apache-tomcat-7.0.52
rem     set CATALINA_HOME=C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jdk1.8.0_112
rem  *
rem  * Set the Environment for the Java Environment...
rem     set JAVABASE=C:\APACHETC\apache-tomcat-7.0.52
     set JAVABASE=C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jdk1.8.0_112
     set JAVASDK="%JAVABASE%\bin"
     set JAVA_HOME=%JAVABASE%
     set JRE_HOME=%JAVABASE%
     set SIMOTCAT=%CATALINA_HOME%\webapps\simotcat
     set SIMPACKS=%CATALINA_HOME%\webapps\simotcat\WEB-INF\classes\simpacks
rem  *
rem  * Set the environment for the Micro Focus technology...
     set MIFOEDEV=C:\Program Files (x86)\Micro Focus\Enterprise Developer
     set MIFOVCBL=C:\Program Files (x86)\Micro Focus\Visual COBOL Build Tools
     set MIFOESTU=C:\Program Files (x86)\Micro Focus\Studio Enterprise Edition 6.0
     set MIFOEMFE="C:\Program Files (x86)\Micro Focus\Mainframe Express"
rem  *
rem  * Large file support, performance tuning and record locking of the File Handler
     set EXTFH=%BASESYS%\CONFIG\EXTFHBIG.CFG
rem  *
rem  * For IMS Support
     set ES_IMSLIB=%BASEAPP%\IMSLIB
     set ES_ACBLIB=%BASEAPP%\IMSLIB
rem  *
rem  * EZASOKETS Check EZASOKETS Enabled box or set ES_EZASOKET_SUPPORT=YES
     set EZACONFG=BASESYS1\CONFIG\EZACONFG.dat
rem  *
rem  * Resource Allocation and Performance for SORT and non-Relational Data
rem  set MFJSENGINE=SYNCSORT
     set SORTSCHEME=1
     set SORTSPACE=750000000
     set TMP=C:\SORTWORK
rem  *
     set ES_ALLOC_OVERRIDE=%BASESYS%\CONFIG\CATMAPA1.cfg
rem  * For CORE_ON_ERROR function, ABEND Dump
rem  *     set COBCONFIG_=%BASESYS%\CONFIG\diagnose.cfg
rem  *
rem  * Consolidated Trace Facility (CTF)
rem  *     set MFTRACE_CONFIG=%BASESYS%\CONFIG\ctf.cfg
rem  *     set MFTRACE_LOGS=c:\ctflogs
rem  *
rem  * For Job Restart, ABEND Recovery
     set MF_UCC11=Y
     set ES_JES_RESTART=Y
rem  *
rem  * Set environment for MFBSI (Micro Focus Batch Scheduling Interface)
     set ES_EMP_EXIT_1=mfbsiemx
     set MFBSI_DIR=%BASESYS%\LOGS\%JESSERVERNAME%
     set MFBSIEOP_CMD=ENABLE
     set MFBSIEOP_CSV=ENABLE
     set MFBSIEOP_HTM=ENABLE
     set MFBSIEOP_XML=ENABLE
rem  *
rem  * Set Behavior and Trace Flags for GETJOBDD
rem  *   Position=12345678/12345678
     set JDDFLAGS=nnnWnnnn/YYnnnnnn
rem  *
rem  * If not already set then set the PATH for Micro Focus Directories
     if "%SIMOPATH%" == "Y" goto JUMPPATH
     if "%MIFOSYS1%" == "EDEV" goto JUMPEDEV
     if "%MIFOSYS1%" == "VCBL" goto JUMPVCBL
     if "%MIFOSYS1%" == "ESTU" goto JUMPESTU
     if "%MIFOSYS1%" == "EMFE" goto JUMPEMFE
:JUMPEDEV
     set path=%BASESYS%\LOADLIB;%MIFOEDEV%\bin;%JAVASDK%;%BASEAPP%\JAVA;%PATH%;
     set CobCpy=%BASEAPP%\CobCpy1;%BASEAPP%\CobCpy2;%BASEAPP%\CobCpy6;%SimoLIBR%;%MIFOEDEV%\CPYLIB
     set MIFOBASE=%MIFOEDEV%
     goto JUMPPATH
:JUMPVCBL
     set path=%MIFOVCBL%\bin;%MIFOVCBL%;%JAVASDK%;%BASEAPP%\JAVA;%PATH%;
     set MIFOBASE=%MIFOVCBL%
     goto JUMPPATH
:JUMPESTU
     set MIFOBASE=%MIFOESTU%\Base
     set MIFOBIN=%MIFOBASE%\bin
     set path=%BASESYS%\LOADLIB;%MIFOBASE%;%MIFOBIN%;%JAVASDK%;%BASEAPP%\JAVA;%PATH%;
     set CobCpy=%BASEAPP%\CobCpy1;%BASEAPP%\CobCpy2;%BASEAPP%\CobCpy6;%SimoLIBR%;%MIFOBASE%\SOURCE
     goto JUMPPATH
:JUMPEMFE
     set MIFOBASE=%MIFOEMFE%\Base
     set MIFOBIN=%MIFOBASE%\bin
     set path=%BASESYS%\LOADLIB;%MIFOBASE%;%MIFOBIN%;%JAVASDK%;%BASEAPP%\JAVA;%PATH%;
     set CobCpy=%BASEAPP%\CobCpy1;%BASEAPP%\CobCpy2;%BASEAPP%\CobCpy6;%SimoLIBR%;%MIFOBASE%\SOURCE
     goto JUMPPATH
rem  *
:JUMPPATH
     set SIMOPATH=Y
rem  *
     set MAINFRAME_FLOATING_POINT=true
     set COBIDY=%BASEAPP%\COBIDY
     set COBPATH=.;%BASEAPP%\LOADLIB;%BASEAPP%\LOADLIB\GNTS;%BASESYS%\LOADLIB;%SimoLIBR%
     set LIBPATH=.;%BASEAPP%\LOADLIB;%BASEAPP%\LOADLIB\GNTS;%BASESYS%\LOADLIB;%SimoLIBR%
     set TXDIR=%BASESYS%\LOADLIB;%MIFOBASE%
     set CobCpy=%BASEAPP%\CobCpy1;%BASEAPP%\CobCpy2;%BASEAPP%\CobCpy6;%SimoLIBR%
rem  *
     set USERCLASS=%BASELIB1%\LOADLIB
     set CLASSPATH=.
     set CLASSPATH=%CLASSPATH%;%JAVABASE%
     set CLASSPATH=%CLASSPATH%;%JAVABASE%\lib
     set CLASSPATH=%CLASSPATH%;\%USERCLASS%\simpacks
     set CLASSPATH=%CLASSPATH%;C:\APACHETC\apache-tomcat-7.0.52\webapps\simotcat\WEB-INF\classes
     set CLASSPATH=%CLASSPATH%;C:\APACHETC\apache-tomcat-7.0.52\webapps\simotcat\WEB-INF\classes\simpacks
rem  *
     if "%MIFOSYS1%" == "ESTU" set CLASSPATH=%CLASSPATH%;%MIFOBIN%
     if "%MIFOSYS1%" == "EDEV" set CLASSPATH=%CLASSPATH%;%MIFOEDEV%
     if "%MIFOSYS1%" == "VCBL" set CLASSPATH=%CLASSPATH%;%MIFOVCBL%
     if "%MIFOSYS1%" == "VCBL" set CLASSPATH=%CLASSPATH%;%MIFOVCBL%\bin\mfcobol.jar
rem  *
     set JobStatus=0000
     call SIMONOTE "+ ENV1BASE is returning to caller"

Display and Log Messages

The following (SIMONOTE.cmd) is a listing of the contents of the SIMONOTE.CMD command file. The command is used to provide a consistent process for logging and displaying messages.

@echo OFF
rem  * *******************************************************************
rem  *               SIMONOTE.cmd - a Windows Command File               *
rem  *         This program is provided by SimoTime Technologies         *
rem  *            (C) Copyright 1987-2019 All Rights Reserved            *
rem  *              Web Site URL:   http://www.simotime.com              *
rem  *                    e-mail:   helpdesk@simotime.com                *
rem  * *******************************************************************
rem  *
rem  * Text    - Display message on screen and write to a log file.
rem  * Author  - SimoTime Technologies
rem  *
rem  * This script may be called from other scripts and expects a single
rem  * parameter enclosed in double quotes. The double quotes will be
rem  * removed. Before writing to the log file a date and time stamp
rem  * will be inserted in front of the message text.
rem  *
rem  * Note: The tilde (~) removes leading/trailing double-quotes.
rem  *
if "%SimoNOTE%" == "" set SimoNOTE=c:\SimoLIBR\LOGS\SimoTime.LOG
echo %date% %time% %~1>> %SimoNOTE%
echo %~1

Summary

This document will focus on the task of generating COBOL programs that will do a file format or record content conversion. The generation phase will require a Windows system. The generated source code may be compiled and executed on a system of choice. This document may be used to assist as a tutorial for new assembler programmers or as a quick reference for experienced programmers. The samples focus on the coding techniques of the individual functions. As always, it is the programmer's responsibility to thoroughly test all programs.

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.

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.

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

    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 that are used to interpret the results of accessing VSAM data sets and/or QSAM files.

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.

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.

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