Re: Native files in the 36 Environment -- MIDRANGE-L

Sam,

Larry is correct in the overall view of multiformat logical files.  (somehow I 
got
the feeling of "bleeding edge" in his experience)

For Input only processing, a format selector program (FSP) works just dandy.  
Now
the FSP in not rocket science -IF- the file has a unique record identifier per
format.  Like id=1 is header, id=2 is detail, id=3 is total and "id" is a 
defined
field in each record.

Any program that is in use today can use a multiformat logical in place of a
multiformat physical WITHOUT a huge program change.

You are at a crossroad of choosing between multiformat flat files in -need- of a
format selector program or expanding the program(s) to deal with separate 
physical
files. (no 15 file limits here)

IMHO, for the amount of work involved for a format selector (and the testing
involved) one may as well face the reality of single format physicals.  Not 
just for
the sake of the programs in question, but for the added benefit for using these
files to rid yourself of S/36 environment dependency.  A higher short term cost 
with
a lower long term cost.  Oh, I forgot my salesmanship: higher long term benefits
;-)       (always end on the "up" side)

I made an earlier post about "a cause for maintenance is an opportunity to 
upgrade".
Not an original concept, just a repeated thread. Which translates into: its 
overtime
now (once) or overtime again and again, later.  And by the time you're done you 
wind
up where you should have gone in the first place.

Regards,
James W. Kilgore
email@James-W-Kilgore.com






Larry Bolhuis wrote:

> Sam,
>
>   The main problem you need to address is adding records to the file through
> your multi-format logical file.  Since the 36RPG program cannot tell DB2 which
> format it is writing you will need to write a Format Selector Program and 
>assign
> it to the Logical file.  When a 36RPG program writes a record control will 
>pass
> to the FSP. It recieves the file buffer, examines it to determine the correct
> format name and returns it to the database.  No changes are needed in the 
>36RPG
> programs.  One word of caution: You must handle the condition where it cannot 
>be
> determined from the buffer which format is being written.  You must either 
>'pick
> one' (can you say 'bad data') or abnormally terminate the FSP.  If you do not
> return a valid format name the FSP will be called repeatedly forever. (guess 
>how
> I know.)
>
>  - Larry
>

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