Re: Convert O Specs

[dhandy@xxxxxxxxxxx (Douglas Handy)]

Scott,

>Is there a utility available that will convert the O-Specs of a RPG/IV
>program to a PRTF?

There are commercially licensed programs to do this.  For example
Gumbo Software's Report Designer can do this, as well as function as a
SDA-like replacement for RLU.  See www.gumbo.com

Midrange Computing also published a utility call CVTTOPRTF in the July
1996 edition, and you can probably get the code off their website.
The program is a starting point but not intended to be commercial
quality.  Here is how the author ends the article:

<begin quote from CD-ROM reference>

This utility has been a very useful tool for me. It can save you a lot
of time, especially if you haven't coded an O-spec in quite a while.
However, you should keep a few things in mind when using this utility.

o  This utility does not discriminate. It will convert all O-specs,
not just those for printer files, to DDS. To build DDS for a database
file, just eliminate the edit codes, edit words, and ending positions.

o  If there are multiple EXCPTs with the same name, the utility will
create multiple record formats using the same name with a two-digit
designator. Four EXCPTs with the same name generate four distinct
record formats. Either eliminate these lines in the DDS and add the
appropriate SPACEA or SPACEB entries or change the C-spec with the
EXCPT to four WRITE statements.

o  This utility does not handle blank or relative ending positions (+
or - followed by a number) in O-specs or relative field size in *LIKE
DEFN operations.

o  This utility assumes the source to be converted is correct.
Remember the old saying, "Garbage in, garbage out."

o  This utility does not consider doubled apostrophes in literals. The
converted beginning position will be too low if there are any.

o  This utility does not handle named constants.

o  This utility does not process arrays. If the program to be
converted outputs an array or array element, the generated DDS will
contain errors.

The bottom line is that you'll need to take a look at the DDS code
generated by the CVTTOPRTF utility and possibly make some adjustments.
However, don't let these limitations stop you from using it. The time
you save will more than make up for any time you might spend
fine-tuning the generated code.

<end of quote>
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