Sequentially Add Records ASCII-Text to EBCDIC-Indexed

Introduction

This is an example of how a COBOL program can read an ASCII/Text file and write an EBCDIC-Indexed file. The COBOL source code was generated using SimoZAPS, a product of SimoTime Technologies. 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 EBCDIC-Indexed

This program will read an ASCII-Text file and write to an EBCDIC-Indexed (VSAM, KSDS - Keyed Sequential Data Set) file. The keys must be in sequence for the writes 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 sort the ASCII-Text file prior to writing to the EBCDIC-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

The following Windows command file (IVP4GFC4.cmd) is used to do the generation of the data conversion program.

@echo OFF
     set UtlName=IVP4GFC4
rem  * *******************************************************************
rem  *               IVP4GFC4.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  * SYSUT1 should be a ASCII/CRLF, 80-byte, variable, ascii file.
rem  * SYSUT2 should be a indexed,    80-byte, variable, ebcdic file.
rem  * This example does a copy of an ASCII text file with carriage return
rem  * and line feed characters used as record separators to an indexed
rem  * file of EBCDIC records. The maximum record length is 80 and the key
rem  * position is one with a key length of 6.
rem  *
     echo * %UtlName% Starting the GENERATE function of SimoZAPS
     call EZMFPATH
     set SYSOUT=SYSOUT_%UtlName%.txt
     set SYSCNTL=SYSCNTL4.pcf
     set SYSMODEL=SYSMASK1.txt
     set SYSCOBOL=DATAWRK1\ZAP004C1.cbl
     type %syscntl%
     run SIMOZAPS GENERATE
     echo * %UtlName% SYSCOBOL is %syscobol%
     echo * %UtlName% SYSCNTL is %syscntl%
     echo * %UtlName% Finished the GENERATE function of SimoZAPS
     if "%1" == "NOSHOW" goto :End
     echo * %UtlName% SYSCOBOL source is displayed in a separate window using NotePAD.
     start notepad %syscobol%
:End
     echo * %UtlName% Thank you for using the GENERATE function by SimoTime Technologies
     pause

The Process Control File

The process control file (SYSCNTL4.pcf) 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.

***********************************************************************
*      SYSCNTL4.pcf - Process Control File, Input Specifications      *
*    This is an example of the convert specifications to generate a   *
*        Data File Conversion Program. This is used by SimoZAPS       *
*                        SimoTime Technologies                        *
*            (C) Copyright 1987-2019 All Rights Reserved              *
*              Web Site URL:   http://www.simotime.com                *
*                    e-mail:   helpdesk@simotime.com                  *
***********************************************************************
* SYSUT1 should be a ASCII/CRLF, 80-byte, variable, ascii file.       *
* SYSUT2 should be a indexed,    80-byte, variable, ebcdic file.      *
* This example does a copy of an ASCII text file with carriage return *
* and line feed characters used as record separators to an indexed    *
* file of EBCDIC records. The maximum record length is 80 and the key *
* position is one with a key length of 6.                             *
***********************************************************************
/DIALECT   C2
/PROGID    ZAP004C1
/SYSUT1    name=ZAP004D1 ORG=ASCII/CRLF RECFM=VARIABLE RLEN=80
/SYSUT2    name=ZAP004D2 ORG=INDEXED    RECFM=VARIABLE RLEN=80 KPOS=1 KLEN=6
*
/TRANSMODE A2E
/TRANSINIT X'40'
/TRANSLATE FROM POS 1 LEN 80 to POS 1 LEN 80
*
/END

The COBOL Program

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 ASCII/Text file to an EBCDIC encoded indexed file.

Summary

This is an example of how a COBOL program can read an ASCII/Text file and write an EBCDIC-Indexed file. This document may be used to assist as a tutorial for new programmers or as a quick reference for experienced programmers. This is an example of how a COBOL program can read an ASCII/Text file and write an EBCDIC-Indexed file.

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 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.

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 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.

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.

Explore the GnuCOBOL Technologies available from SourceForge. SourceForge is an Open Source community resource dedicated to helping open source projects be as successful as possible. GnuCOBOL (formerly OpenCOBOL) is a COBOL compiler with run time support. The compiler (cobc) translates COBOL source to executable using intermediate C, designated C compiler and linker. This link will require an Internet Connection.

Glossary of Terms

Check out  The SimoTime Glossary  for a list of terms and definitions used in the documents provided by SimoTime.

Comments or Feedback

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Company Overview

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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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