Customized EBCDIC-to-ASCII Data Translation

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Customized EBCDIC-to-ASCII Data Translation [Contact us for pricing.]

What Is Data Conversion? Data Conversion involves changing your data for use in new or different situations. This process may include conversion from EBCDIC to ASCII (or vice-versa), restructuring your data, or dealing with binary/packed fields.

Why Do I Need Data Conversion?

Many mainframe and Unix systems store data in EBCDIC format, while PCs normally require ASCII. In addition, individual fields are often compressed to save space, using a variety of techniques like COMP-3, zoned decimal and binary compression. Other challenges, like recurring records and multi-dimensional tables often combine to preclude in-house data conversion.

We're here to help.

Our Services

Mainframe multi-dimensional tables are often output to tape as EBCDIC, Variable Blocked, and Variable Record Length data sets. In addition, mainframes usually store data on 9-track, 3480, 3490, 3490e or 3590 tape drives. These tapes and datasets are difficult, if not impossible, for most PC-based computer systems to handle.

Our exclusive ASCII-Xtra file output gives you a simple to understand dataset that can be easily and accurately imported using most PC-based database management software.

Most EBCDIC-ASCII data translation falls into one of the following four categories:

1. Blind Copy

   A tape dump of whatever is on a tape to disk without translating the data. This is useful when you have a bunch of program files on a tape, or a long, unbroken string of ASCII data. We can take no responsibility whatever for what the data looks like.

   Output Example:

   Joan Crawford   123 Main St   Milan    ILBob Maize   32
   Dune Lane  Walcott  IA

2. Record-Level Blind Copy

   A tape dump of whatever is on a tape to disk without translating the data, with this exception: We add a carriage return and linefeed to the end of each record. This will "stack" the records so they can be easily read with a standard text editor.

   Output Example:

   Joan Crawford   123 Main St   Milan    IL
   Bob Maize       32 Dune Lane  Walcott  IA
   

   (Note: This example is only meant to illustrate the "stacking" of the data... If your original data is in EBCDIC, for example, it will still be in EBCDIC.)

3. EBCDIC TO ASCII Record-Level Blind Copy

   A tape dump of whatever is on a tape to disk without translating the data, with two exceptions:

   1. We add a carriage return and linefeed to the end of each record. This will "stack" the records so they can be easily read with a standard text editor.
   2. We convert EVERY CHARACTER in the file from EBCDIC to ASCII. Field-level translation CANNOT be performed in a blind copy.

   Output Example:

   Joan Crawford   123 Main St   Milan    IL
   Bob Maize       32 Dune Lane  Walcott  IA
   
   

4. Field-Level Translation

   Field-by-field data translation is required whenever your data includes COMP, COMP1, COMP2, COMP3, COMP4, COMP5, binary or packed fields, and the client wants something beyond a simple blind copy. Also necessary for almost any multi-level, COBOL, RPG or multi-dimensional data.

Simply e-mail us your copybook (or record layout), along with the tape format and number of tapes, to get a quote. Satisfied? Fax back your signed quote, and send your tape. When your job is finished, we will e-mail your Job Completion Notice, so that you can download your completed file using almost any web browser.

Comco's EBCDIC-to-ASCII Translation Services provided by 2A Data.

3 Easy Steps To Useable Data

Call or Email Us We’ll ask you for a few details, and give you a price and completion date. Send Us Your Data Mail it or send it electronically. Wait We’ll email you when your job is done.

Call 800.4.DATNET (563.355.1212) today.