Convert Mainframe Binary to Ascii Using any Open Source Code or Tool

java ascii cobol mainframe ebcdic
Binary01 picture Binary01 · Jul 3, 2013 · Viewed 7.7k times · Source

How can I convert a mainframe binary file (EBCDIC) having cobol copybook as record layout information to ASCII file by keeping in mind regarding the packed and zoned decimal format using any Java API or Open source tool?

Answer

Bruce Martin picture Bruce Martin · Jul 3, 2013

Reading in Java

If you want to Read Mainframe Cobol Files in java, have a look at

  • JRecord - You will have to specify the charset (font). For US EBCDIC use CP037.
  • Legstar - Have variety of Mainframe - Cobol Tools
  • CB2java - Has not been updated in a while (not supported any more and has problems)

Also the RecordEditor will let you view / Edit Mainframe Cobol Files

Conversion Utilities

For simple Cobol files these conversion utilities (based on JRecord) could be used:

RecordEditor

The RecordEditor has a Generate option for generating Java / JRecord code. See RecordEditor Code Generation notes

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Note: I am the author of JRecord/RecordEditor

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