EBCDIC Conversion Packages
Many EBCDIC data files contain packed-decimal, zoned, signed, binary and other special fields. For example, in a packed-decimal field, seven decimal digits and the sign are packed into four bytes. Any character-by-character EBCDIC to ASCII translation software or hardware will corrupt these fields and the original data will no longer be recoverable.
These packed fields are perhaps the biggest problem anyone converting an EBCDIC database to a PC database will encounter. The VEDIT EBCDIC conversion packages can translate almost any EBCDIC data file, including very complex ones with multiple record types, variable length records, and thousands of fields per record. Very few other products can handle complex packed fields. Without VEDIT, the typical solution is to write a custom COBOL program to unpack the fields on the mainframe.
The VEDIT for Windows trial version includes a trial version of the Level-2 conversion package. It is fully functional, but will only convert the first 5000 packed/zoned/binary fields in a file.
The VEDIT EBCDIC conversion packages are available in three levels:
LEVEL 2
This package can convert fixed-length-record EBCDIC files with an unlimited number of packed-decimal, zoned (signed), binary and other special fields.
Package includes VEDIT Deluxe, EBCDIC Conversion macros, and one year of support and updates.
Formatting options include:
- Handling leading zeros and adding decimal points.
- Custom field conversions can handle unusual files and special needs
- Optionally create "quoted, comma-delimited" ASCII files.
- Sections of a COBOL copy-book can be directly used as the file layout specification.
LEVEL 3
This package can convert fixed-length-record EBCDIC files with an unlimited number of packed-decimal, zoned (signed), binary and other special fields. Plus, you may even convert EBCDIC files which contain multiple types of records, each with different field specifications. For example, one record might contain 10 packed fields, and the next record 20 packed fields.
Package includes VEDIT Deluxe, EBCDIC Conversion macros, and one year of support and updates.
Formatting options include:
- Handling leading zeros and adding decimal points.
- Custom field conversions can handle unusual files and special needs
- Optionally create "quoted, comma-delimited" ASCII files.
- Sections of a COBOL copy-book can be directly used as the file layout specification.
- handles "REDEFINES" in a COBOL copy-book.
- Optionally create a separate ASCII file for each record type, ensuring that the ASCII files have fixed-length records.
LEVEL 4
This package combines the advanced features of Levels 2 and 3, and additionally allows the handling of the "OCCURS DEPENDING ON" clause in your COBOL copybook. It supports up to 10 "OCCURS DEPENDING ON" clauses per record; each clause can contain any number of fields; it even supports multiple sub-record types within a clause. If desired, the data in the variable length portion(s) can be output to a separate file(s) so that all the converted ASCII files have fixed-length records; a "key" field is automatically added to the records so that your database can link them together.
Package includes VEDIT Deluxe, EBCDIC Conversion macros, and one year of support and updates.
Formatting options include:
- Handling leading zeros and adding decimal points.
- Custom field conversions can handle unusual files and special needs
- Optionally create "quoted, comma-delimited" ASCII files.
- Sections of a COBOL copy-book can be directly used as the file layout specification.
- handles "REDEFINES" in a COBOL copy-book.
- Optionally create a separate ASCII file for each record type, ensuring that the ASCII files have fixed-length records.
- Convert records with "repeat" counts for single fields or groups of fields.
Currently, the Level-4 package also includes ASCII to packed EBCDIC translation. This is useful for creating a mainframe database file from a PC database.
Not sure what you need?
If you are unsure which EBCDIC conversion Level is needed, please send (e-mail or fax) us the file layout specification, e.g. the COBOL copy-book, and preferably a sample file. We will examine your layout and/or files and determine which Level is needed.
The EBCDIC conversion packages include one year of support and updates. We regularly make enhancements to the capabilities, flexibility and speed of these packages, especially the Level 4 package. During the 1-year support period, you can update to a more comprehensive EBCDIC package for the price difference.
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