IBM Mainframe Forum

Input File1: (VB)


Input File 2: (VB)


Input File3: (VB)


Input File4:(VB)



EXPECTED OUTPUT file (VB) :


I want to merge these four records from four different files into a single VB file.

Could you please help us here.

Following is the approach i tried...



and following is the error i got..


Please advise.

As you have discovered, RESIZE is for fixed-length records only.

I'd look at using SORT with WHEN=GROUP on INREC to PUSH the entire original content of each record to a fixed location for each of the separate records. You'll need to use WHEN=INIT to allocate a sequence number at the start of each record, then code four GROUPs which BEGIN on the relevant sequence number value.

On OUTFIL, you'll need to add an INCLUDE to get the fourth record only (which by then will include all the data) and the BUILD will be include the RDW, re-locate the data to the front of the record, then do the SQZ. It looks like you can use MID=C',' to get your commas. Use VLTRIM to get rid of trailing blanks.

Thanks BillyBoyo..

To be frank, I have even tried WHEN=GROUP syntax, but got confused on how to get this done for VB records.

Hence i was not able to proceed further.. Can u help here

You need to first add a sequence number. For a variable-length record, you do that starting in position five. You only have four records, so it can be one digit.



The lonely 5 at the end says "from position five to the end of the record".

Now you can know which record you have, by testing for 5,1 (that's a new 5, containing the sequence number) for 1, 2, 3 or 4.

You do a WHEN=GROUP for sequence 1, with RECORDS=4. You start the PUSH at a position which will not clash with any data.

If your largest LRECL is 20, then PUSH=(25:6,length-4),RECORDS=4.

You do the second GROUP with a PUSH which starts after the data you have just PUSHed from the previous record, RECORDS=3.

One more GROUP in a similar way, data starting at next available position (which you have to calculate).

Then with the OUTFIL, you only want the 4th record, so INCLUDE= for that. IFTHEN=(WHEN=INIT to BUILD the record you want, then a second WHEN=INIT to OVERLAY (or BUILD) to do the JFY. VLTRIM to finish off.



That's a representation of your input data, then the input to OUTFIL.

Do it bit-by-bit, and follow how it is working. If you get stuck, show what you've don't and we'll get you further on.

Thanks BillyBoyo.. Will update you once after trying this

Hi BillyBoyo/team,



Following are the VB records which are to be merged as single record with comma as delimiter for every record merge.
I have included seq num as suggested by you in the 5th byte.

Not sure how to frame the SYSIN Card to serve the purpose. Could you please help.


expected output:

First step is to add a sequence number, one digit, between the RDW (bytes 1,4 of a variable-length record) and your data (for which you specify 5).

Run that, so you see the sequence numbers 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Then add IFTHEN=(WHEN=GROUP,BEGIN=(5,1,CH,EQ,C'1'),RECORDS=4,PUSH=(33:5,29)).

You should see now the data from the first record repeated on that record and on all the following records.

Repeat that for 2 and 3 (with decreasing RECORDS=).

By then, you should end with record number 4 having all the data on. See how it goes to get that far.

Thanks. will try this in office hours tomo.

Thanks for your patience too

I tried this and got the record merge for one record with no issues.. but couldnt proceed further for subsequent 3 records.



Following is the sysin card used



pointed rows are the ones i have included after generating the above output, to get the subsequent merges.
But got this error - which i am unable to resolve.


Can you please help here..

Tried these SYSIN cards as well.. but nothing worked out. getting the same "SORTOUT OUTREC - SHORT RECORD " error. Please help me to resolve this

OPTION COPY
INREC IFTHEN=(WHEN=GROUP,RECORDS=4,BEGIN=(5,1,CH,EQ,C'1'),
PUSH=(33:5,28)),
IFTHEN=(WHEN=GROUP,RECORDS=3,BEGIN=(5,1,CH,EQ,C'2'),
PUSH=(61:5,19))
OUTFIL INCLUDE=(5,1,ZD,LE,4),BUILD=(1,4,5:5,75,12005:X)

and....

OPTION COPY
INREC IFTHEN=(WHEN=GROUP,RECORDS=4,BEGIN=(5,1,CH,EQ,C'1'),
PUSH=(33:5,28)),
IFTHEN=(WHEN=GROUP,RECORDS=3,BEGIN=(5,1,CH,EQ,C'2'),
PUSH=(61:5,19))
OUTFIL INCLUDE=(5,1,ZD,LE,4),BUILD=(1,4,5:5,76,12005:X)

highlighted the changes in BOLD....