RE: VAX to AS/400 packed field conversion problem

If you're using the iSeries FTP client, the CCSID can be set on the
FTP command... for example:  FTP RMTSYS('vax.example.com') CCSID(1234)

If you're using the iSeries FTP server, you set the CCSID for the
server by using the CHGFTPA command.  (You may have to restart the FTP
server after changing it)


However, I don't see how this solves your problem.   All the CCSID does
is help you convert ASCII to EBCDIC correctly.   Packed numbers, by
definition, are not stored in either ASCII or EBCDIC.  They're stored as
packed numbers.  That's why you need to convert it to a human-readable
number on the VAX (in ASCII) so that when it's converted to EBCDIC it'll
be a human readable number on the iSeries.   From there, you can convert
it back to a numeric format.

The only alternative would be to use a program that understands where
all of the fields are in the file, and understands what format they're
in, so it can deal with each field independently.   Converting them as
necessary, or keeping the same as necessary.   FTP simply isn't this
sophisticated.

One thought would be to use something like ODBC or DRDA which understands
databases and the fields in them.

Another, is to have the VAX export the file into a widely understood
format, such as CSV or tab-delimited, etc.  Then the iSeries could import
it from that.

And the final option would be to have a program that understands the
formats of the databases that does the conversion.   This sounds like what
you're doing now.   You could change it to have the program running on the
iSeries instead of the VAX if you like, but I don't know that I'd call
that "simpler."

Usually the goal of these projects isn't to reduce steps, but to reduce
human interaction.   Writing a program to do all of the necessary steps
accomplishes this.

On Tue, 7 Jan 2003, Uros Davidovic wrote:

> Clare,
>
> Thanks, but we are actually trying to do this without any programs,
> using maybe an FTP switch (I know there is an option somewhere to
> specify a CCSID when transferring files, just cannot remember where...)
> or through CL commands on the AS/400 and possibly a table that would
> convert the character set ID of the VAX to EBCDIC when doing a
> CPYFRMSTMF...
>
> Regards,
> Uros
>