|
|
|
N7MF8CNV prompts you for language and file type (text or data). For
each data file, you enter the starting position and length of each field
(portion of a record) to be converted. For a text file, each record is
converted as one field.
The user is prompted for the name of each file to be converted. Files are read
one record at a time; each record is converted (or certain fields of it are
converted for data files), and the result is written to a new temporary file.
When all records have been read, converted, and written to the new file, the
old (unconverted) copy is deleted, and the new one saved in its place. An
exception to this is KSAM files, which are converted in place, rather than
written to a new temporary file.
A count of the number of records read and converted is displayed on
$STDLIST.
This utility will not convert files containing bytes with the eighth bit set.
This situation probably indicates a misunderstanding or error. The likely
causes are:
File is not a text or data file. File is a data file where the fields have been inaccurately
located. File was created on a terminal configured for 8-bit
operation. File has already been converted.
The maximum record length supported is 8192 bytes. The maximum number of fields
supported in the records of a data file is 256.
If the file being converted contains user labels, these are copied to the new
file without conversion. If a fatal error is encountered during the conversion
(for example, 8-bit data or file system error found) the conversion stops, the
old copy of the file is saved (with the data unchanged), and the new copy is
purged.
An exception to this practise occurs with KSAM files. Since these are converted
in place, some records may already have been modified. KSAM files (including
key file) should be restored from the backup tape to ensure a consistent copy.
A CTRL Y entered during conversion displays the number of records
successfully converted, and conversion continues. On variable length data
files, if a field or portion of a field is beyond the length of the record just
read, a warning is displayed and that field is not converted on that record.
Other fields on the same record are converted, and processing continues with
subsequent records. After each file has been converted, the user is prompted
for another file name.
In addition to the text and data options, there is a test conversion option
which shows how the conversion algorithm operates. The test conversion option
must be run from a terminal configured for 7-bit operation with the chosen
national substitution set. The user is instructed to enter a string, and the
result of the conversion is displayed. The user does not have to switch back
and forth between 7-bit and 8-bit operation to see the result. Each character
converted is displayed as a decimal value in parentheses rather than
graphically. Other characters are displayed unchanged.
At any point in the program, a Return exits the current program level.
A Return in response to a request for the starting position and length
of a field in a data file indicates that the definition of fields is complete,
and the program proceeds with the conversion of the data file. A Return
entered in response to a request for a text file name indicates the conversion
of text files is complete; the program goes back to the question:
"Type of file to be
converted?".
|
Complete PDF