EBCDIC data conversion: COBOL, Packed, signed, Mainframe

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"Both the custom macros you provided, as well as all the EBCDIC-4 support programs worked very well. We converted over a million records into our relational database. Thank you for all your help. I am sure we will be doing business with you next year."
Ravi Bhaskar, Overland Park, KS

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 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. Formatting options include handling leading zeros and adding decimal points. Custom field conversions can handle unusual files and special needs. You can optionally create "quoted, comma-delimited" ASCII files. Sections of a COBOL copy-book can be directly used as the file layout specification. Consists of the EBCDIC conversion macros and a special 32-bit Windows version of VEDIT PLUS. The price is $544; this includes VEDIT PLUS Deluxe and one year of support and updates.

The VEDIT PLUS 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.
LEVEL 3 - Includes all Level 2 features plus the ability to convert EBCDIC files which contain multiple types of records, each with different field specifications. This handles "REDEFINES" in a COBOL copy-book. For example, one record might contain 10 packed fields, and the next record 20 packed fields. It has a very flexible method of recognizing the record types from an ID field or fields. It can optionally create a separate ASCII file for each record type; this ensures that the ASCII files have fixed-length records. The price is $744; this includes VEDIT PLUS and one year of support and updates.
LEVEL 4 - Includes all Level 3 features plus the ability to convert records with "repeat" counts for single fields or groups of fields. In a COBOL copy-book this is referred to as an "OCCURS DEPENDING ON" clause. (The records therefore have variable lengths.) 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. The price is $944; this includes VEDIT PLUS and one year of support and updates.

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.

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.

Ordering Information

You can order the EBCDIC conversion packages on-line or by calling us. You will immediately receive a serial number and directions for downloading and installing VEDIT PLUS for Windows. After processing your order, we will promptly e-mail you the EBCDIC conversion software, typically within a few hours during normal business hours (9am-5pm, Mon-Fri, Eastern Standard Time). If you need the software immediately, please contact us directly, preferably by calling 1-800-458-3348.

NOTE:

Since the current printed manuals are for version 5.2, we recommend purchasing updates without printed manuals at this time. We plan on having new 6.0 manuals available as .PDF files in April, and printed manuals in May. Printed manuals can then be purchased for $19 plus shipping. Thank you.

VEDIT PLUS Deluxe with EBCDIC Level-2 - $544.00
Includes VEDIT PLUS Deluxe for Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP and DOS, CD-ROM and printed manuals. (650+ pages)
EBCDIC Level-2 software, 1-Year of support and updates. Single user license.

VEDIT PLUS Deluxe with EBCDIC Level-3 - $744.00
EBCDIC Level-3 software, 1-Year of support and updates.

VEDIT PLUS Deluxe with EBCDIC Level-4 - $944.00
EBCDIC Level-4 software, 1-Year of support and updates.