What is the pack/unpack algorithm for the packed fields?

[davidchardonnet]

Hello,

I want to make a program on a PC that is able to unpack AS/400 data fields, after importing raw files. Do you know how I can do that?
I have no idea of how these fields are built.
Can you help me?

Thank you for your help.

David

 

[mudface]

hi,David
iSeries uses EBCDIC. under this env,

unpacked numeric fields are like these:
1234567+ 12345678-
------- --------
FFFFFFF FFFFFFFD
1234567 12345678

the packed numerics are like these:
???? ?????
---- -----
1357 ?2468
246F 1357D

.the last F of packed plus value
will be replaced by D(?) if the value is minus.
.the length of packed=int(unpacked/2)+1,so odd length
is efficient usage.
.internally, iSeries uses packed numerics when it calcs.

if u calc by these numerics under the PC
, u must convert them to ASCII.

 

[tman24m]

Hi David,

If you've got Client Access there are some references you can use in VB to handle that for you. It's not too difficult. I've got sample code if you need it.

Trent