ASCII-Text to ASCII-Indexed File Convert Program (Random Update)

Introduction

This is an example of how a COBOL program can read an ASCII/Text file and update an existing ASCII-Indexed 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.

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.

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SimoTime Technologies and Services
All Rights Reserved

ASCII/Text to ASCII, Indexed

This program will read an ASCII-Text file and update an existing ASCII-Indexed (VSAM, KSDS - Keyed Sequential Data Set) file. This example includes a procedure for converting ASCII Decimal data to EBCDIC Packed (or COMP-3) and Binary (or COMP) data.

CMD File, Create COBOL Program

The following CMD File (TXAKSAM1.cmd) is used to generate the COBOL source code. This process uses the SimoZAPS utility program to do the actual program generation.

@echo OFF
echo ****************************************************************
echo *                This program is provided by:                  *
echo *                   SimoTime Technologies                      *
echo *        (C) Copyright 1987-2019 All Rights Reserved           *
echo *          Web Site URL:   http://www.simotime.com             *
echo *                e-mail:   helpdesk@simotime.com               *
echo ****************************************************************
echo *
echo * TXAKSAM1 Starting the GENERATE function of SimoZAPS
echo * This process will read the TXAKSAT1.TXT file and create the
echo * TXAKSAC1.CBL source code using the SYSMASK2.TXT as a mask.
echo *
echo * The TXAKSAT1.TXT file is expected to contains the specifications
echo * for reading a TEXT, 512-byte, variable, ASCII file and creating
echo * an INDEXED, 512-byte maximum record length, variable, ASCII file
echo * with the key position at 1 for a key length of 12.
echo *
     set syscntl=%DATACNTL%\TXAKSAT1.txt
     set sysmask=%DATACNTL%\sysmask1.txt
     set syscobol=TXAKSAC1.CBL
     simozaps GENERATE
echo * TXAKSAM1 DATACNTL is %datacntl%\TXAKSAT1.txt
echo * TXAKSAM1 SYSMASK1 is %DATACNTL%\sysmask1.txt
echo * TXAKSAM1 Thank you for using the GENERATE function by SimoTime Enterprises

Process Control File

The following Process Control File (TXAKSA02.pcf) is used to generate the COBOL source code. This process uses the SimoZAPS utility program to do the actual program generation.

***********************************************************************
*                TXAKSA02.pcf - a Process Control File                *
*               SimoTime Program Generation Technologies              *
*            (C) Copyright 1987-2019 All Rights Reserved              *
*               Web Site URL:   http://www.simotime.com               *
*                     e-mail:   helpdesk@simotime.com                 *
***********************************************************************
* SYSUT1 should be an ASCII/Text, 512-byte, maximum record length.
* SYSUT2 should be an INDEXED, 512-byte, min/average, ASCII content
*        with key position at 1 for a key length of 12.
*
* The DIALECT statement specifies the use of Micro Focus compliant
* code for the generated conversion program.
*
* The VSAMLOAD statement specifies sequential writing of records to
* the indexed (i.e VSAM KSDS) file.
* *********************************************************************
&SIMOPREP  call ..\..\ENV1BASE
&USERPREP  call USERCONV
&CONFORM   IBM
&Dialect   C2
&VSAMload  Random
*HEAD34    ....:....1....:....2....:....3....
&HEAD34    ASCII/Text to ASC-KSDS/Packed NBRS
&progid    TXAKSAC2
&sysut1    name=TXADB512 org=ascii/text recfm=variable rlen=512
&sysut2    name=KSADB512 org=indexed    recfm=variable rlen=512 kpos=1 klen=12
*
&transinit x'20'
&transmode A2A
&transcopy from pos 001 len 022               to pos 001 len 022
&TRANSFILL                                       pos 023 len 005 '*PDS='
&TRANSZADD from pos 014 len 007 dec 2 fmt ZDU to pos 028 len 007 dec 2 fmt PDS
&TRANSFILL                                       pos 033 len 005 '*PDU='
&TRANSZADD from pos 014 len 007 dec 2 fmt ZDU to pos 038 len 007 dec 2 fmt PDU
&TRANSFILL                                       pos 043 len 005 '*BNS='
&TRANSZADD from pos 014 len 007 dec 2 fmt ZDU to pos 048 len 007 dec 2 fmt BNS
&TRANSFILL                                       pos 052 len 005 '*END*'
*
&END

Summary

This is an example of how a COBOL program can read an ASCII/Text file and update an existing ASCII-Indexed file. 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 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.

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

    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 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 connection.

This suite of programs and documentation is available for download. Link to an Evaluation zPAK Option that includes the program members, documentation and control files.

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

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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.

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