Can I display a file with copybook layout in this case?

[DiamondDave2005]

I'm working on a system that doesn't have file-aid, and I'm wondering if there's a way I can still view/edit a file using a copybook, so that I can see start/end positions, field lengths, etc.

We're talking Cobol on a regular 390 system, using Extra version 6.6

Does anyone out there have a trick for doing this?

Thanks,
Dave

 

[MarcLodge]

Dave,
FileAid is the only tool that I know that does this, although I'm not discounting the possibility that there may be others out there.

If you had the time, it wouldn't be too difficult to write a Cobol program that interfaced with SPF (dialog manager) and read in the copybook (it would be helpful to have it standardised in certain columns), build a screen dynamically in dialog manager, and then read the input file displaying each line on the just built panel. I've done quite a bit of work using dialog manager with Cobol programs, and although I haven't dynamically built a screen in this way, I can't see any reason why it can't be done.

The big question is, have you the time (and budget!) to do it!!

Over to everybody else who may know of a product that does this apart from FileAid......
Marc

 

[DiamondDave2005]

Thanks Marc. Might be easier to convince them to spring for Fileaid! Dave

 

[ceh4702]

You might check to see if you have a program called "DITTO".
It is a utility that can print files for 390 VES/ESA systems. If you do not like my post feel free to point out your opinion or my errors.