Re: External File Descriptions -- RPG400-L

Title: RE: INFDS

If you have a few files to do quickly, create the DDS with name same as s36 flat file, rename s36 file to something else, compile DDS, then cpyf with *nochk optio to put data back. As long as DDS kept all the positions/attributes the same, the s36 pgms newver know the difference. Any future native pgms, qry, sql will be fine, unless you have decimal data errors in fields (bad 36 code not intializing numeric fields, etc). There are several S36 to native conversion tools available (check Search400.com) I have used several, and if you have good F & I specs, either in seperate source, or in RPG pgms, the DDS creation can be fairly automatic (like in hours, not months (but I have not met a s36 system that didn't have some "exceptions")). I have had several s36 to 400 conversions that went to native files first, then pgms over the years. BTW there might be a way in a LF to substring the K000001 and F000001 fields in the flat file, but don't know what that would do with sql & qry & decimal data problems. Besides, that's just as much work as creating real DDS. If you need more details/experiences, send me an email. jim franz

----- Original Message -----

From: Frank Carpenter

To: 'RPG400-L@midrange.com'

Sent: Saturday, September 23, 2000 7:51 AM

Subject: RE: External File Descriptions

Hello

I'm looking for some help with System 36 non externally described files. We want to eventually recreate all our files with external descriptions, but that is a big undertaking. I have a project I'm working on now where I really need to have external descriptions. I wanted to simply create Logical Files over the System 36 Physical files and access the data that way. The problem I encountered is that the System 36 files are built as on large field on the record and don't have any datalink definitions attached to them. I get errors on my create because the field names in the logical are not referenced in the physical file. Would anyone have a quick way of building the logical files I need without the necessity of dynamically link the System 36 files first.?

I thought about simply creating new files and copying the data over but this project will be live at all times and involves several thousands of records.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Frank Carpenter

EMED Co., Inc.

fcarpenter@emedco.com

716 626-1616 ext. 374