IBM Mainframe Forum

Hello,

I'm getting data from DB2 and saving it in a file. I store the values in COMP variables because the table conversion between SQL and COBOL.
But then the data is unreadable in the file. :/



Do you know what can I do, so the data will be in a readable formart in the file?

Thank you.

It is not clear from your explanation why you are storing in COMP and what you expect the fields to contain. Please explain more fully.

Change your code:
The data in the file IS readable, you just have to use HEX mode in ISPF/EDIT and understand how COMP values are stored to be able to read them.

These users thanked the author Robert Sample for the post:

tivrfoa (Wed Aug 22, 2012 7:14 pm)

BillyBoyo wrote:It is not clear from your explanation why you are storing in COMP and what you expect the fields to contain. Please explain more fully.

Hi,

It's because:
smallint -> PIC S9(004) COMP.
integer -> PIC S9(009) COMP.

Robert Sample wrote:Change your code: ...
The data in the file IS readable, you just have to use HEX mode in ISPF/EDIT and understand how COMP values are stored to be able to read them.

Is there a difference in the output if I change as you said? I used SET HEX and the result seems to be the same.
But how to change from hex to a "friendly" readable format?
You know, like a report that you need to give to someone.

Kind Regards,
Leandro.

For a report, use a numeric-edited field




There are many possible varieties. Just MOVE you COMP field to one of those, and it'll be how you want.

These users thanked the author BillyBoyo for the post:

tivrfoa (Wed Aug 22, 2012 8:31 pm)

Is there a difference in the output if I change as you said?

Absolutely there will be a difference. COBOL moves COMP variables to a PIC X variable with no conversion or other modification of the data. 1234 in a PIC S9(04) COMP varialbe is X'04D2', which would be moved to a PIC X(04) variable as X'04D24040' (assuming space is the filler character). COBOL moves COMP varaibles to a PIC 9 variable by converting the value to a decimal number so it becomes readable by a human with no interpreation required. 1234 moved to a PIC 9(04) variable becomes X'F1F2F3F4' or 1234 displayed.

These users thanked the author Robert Sample for the post:

tivrfoa (Wed Aug 22, 2012 8:31 pm)

I changed the variables type in the FILE SECTION to PIC Z …, but the result is still in HEX.
Then I tried MOVE before WRITE, but the result is the same.
I’ll reply if I find a solution.
Thank you very much.

Hello,

Please post a few of the values using HEX ON so we can see your actual data.

These users thanked the author dick scherrer for the post:

tivrfoa (Wed Aug 22, 2012 9:58 pm)

Can you show your code and your definitions please?

You can still store in the file in binary, and then use the numeric-edited if you want to actually print. If you store it as a numeric-edited, you make it more complicated to do anything with it (like add it up, for instance) except print it.

These users thanked the author BillyBoyo for the post:

tivrfoa (Wed Aug 22, 2012 9:58 pm)

Move the individual variables, NOT the group level. Moving the group level will NOT convert the binary data. Your WRITE FROM is a group-level move, hence the binary data will not be converted to display format.

These users thanked the author Robert Sample for the post:

tivrfoa (Wed Aug 22, 2012 9:58 pm)