Mainframe packed file

[kHz]

I have never worked on a mainframe, but last night I was asked if it was possible to get data created on a mainframe. Of course the data is EBCDIC and that can be converted easily enough to ASCII using 'dd'. But is it possible to unpack the data first using Unix? I am reasonably certain it can be done (unpack) but would appreciate if someone can point me in the right direction in being able to do that.

Thanks!!

 

[fredericofonseca]

NO!! Not easy at all!!

Off course you can unpack, but you will need to know the format of each individual field within a record.

Mainframe data can be created by COBOL, and as such you will have such numeric fields as COMP-3, BINARY and similar which means that not only you need to convert EBCDIC->ASCII but also from this specific format to a "readable" format.

The transfer from the mainframe to the Unix box can deal with the EBCDIC conversion automatically if the records do not have any of the special fields mentioned before. If they have then you need to transfer the file in binary mode and do the conversion on your own.

I would search

http://www.deja.com

for related keywords as this subject has been discussed many times.


If you search these forums (more specifically forum209) you will also find a few links that may help you with this.

Regards

Frederico Fonseca
SysSoft Integrated Ltd

http://www.syssoft-int.com

 

[kHz]

Thanks.