Last Updated on June 24, 2022
You might want to convert a VSA to a flat file. This can be done using a few tools. The first one is called SORT, which selects fields to output. After selecting fields, you can use other tools like DASD or REPLACE to format your file. Once you’ve done this, you can copy your VSA to a flat file. Here’s how.
RRDS
One way to migrate a VSAM file to an RRDS flat file is to use the REPRO tool. This tool allows you to merge a dataset into another dataset. This tool works only on files that contain records and are generated by KSDS or RRDS. It will not work on LDS or ESDS. The following example explains how to perform the task.
Open the Data Set Information – VSAM RRDS screen. Here, you can view the details of your data set, including allocation parameters, record activity counts, activity dates, and statistics for each data component. In addition, you can see the volume serial of your data set. By opening this screen, you can see the number of data records in your RRDS flat file. The size of your RRDS flat file is not limited by the capacity of your computer.
When you use the REPRO tool, you need to specify the VSAM file’s SORTOUT and SORTIN fields. The script should be able to extract the data definitions of a VSAM file. Also, you can use copybooks to create a table structure for your VSAM file. In this way, you can easily migrate data from an old VSAM file to a new one.
REPRO uses a REPRO command to copy data from a VSAM flat file to an RRDS flat file. For the REPRO command to work with a VSAM dataset, you must specify the input data in ascending order based on key. In the case of a VSAM dataset containing AIX data, specify the pathname as the data set name.
REPLACE
How to REPLACE VSAM file to flat file? There are many ways to do this. You can simply use automation scripts. These scripts will extract the definitions of the VSAM file. You can use the copybooks to define the table structure and layout of VSAM files. There is an exception to this rule, however. If you have an ESDS or LDS database, you cannot use these automation scripts.
To use this command, first identify the input dataset and output file. You can either specify one dataset as the input and the other as the output. For VSAM datasets on AIX, the dataset-name parameter specifies a path to the file. For VSAM datasets on AIX, the pathname of the data file can be specified as the path name. To merge a base cluster, specify the pathname of the dataset.
To REPLACE VSAM file to flat file, specify the dataset you need to convert to a PS dataset. In this way, you’ll be able to view the contents of the VSAM file. Once you’ve specified your destination, REPRO will copy the records of the KSDS file from row 6 to 15.
Another way to REPLACE VSAM file to flat file is to create an index. This index will store the data you need to access it. VSAM files can be either sequential or random. This means that you’ll be able to access them either way, but VSAM files are better suited for frequent changes. They store the data by allowing you to access the records using a key value. VSAM files also allow you to make logical or physical deletions of the records.
REPRO
A common requirement for converting a VSAM file into a flat file is the ability to view message codes. You can do this using the REPRO program. Before you can use REPRO to convert a VSAM file into a flat file, you must sort your flat file according to its primary key or by its whole record. If you want to see message codes instead of just blocks, you can use the “Sort” command.
The REPRO command copies data from one dataset to another. This command works for VSAM datasets and for non-VSAM datasets. The command can also combine multiple datasets into one input file. An empty VSAM cluster can be loaded with records. An index can also be created for it. It is also possible to load an empty KSDS or VRRDS cluster with data. Afterwards, you can use the output PS dataset as a backup and restore/build the VSAM dataset if necessary.
Another method is to create a batch job. This program copies data from a PS file to a VSAM file. This batch job requires a JCL program. To load the data into a PS file, you must use a batch job. You can also use FileZilla or other file transfer utilities to export a VSAM file. These applications are available on the Internet.
There are many advantages of VSAM files compared to flat files. FLAT files can be read sequentially, while VSAM files can be read dynamically and by a key value. They can also be accessed by other methods. One benefit of VSAM files is that they allow you to delete data logically or physically. However, the main disadvantage of using VSAM files is the time it takes to create them.
DASD
There are a few steps you can take in order to convert a flat file to a VSAM file. To start with, sort the files using their primary keys, or by whole record. If you aren’t sure how to sort, try using the “sort” command. Next, submit a JCL/IDCAMS command with the sorting result. After the sorting process is complete, load the flat file into a VSAM file.
VSAM files are common data files in CICS applications. Because they contain so much information, they can be huge and difficult to move to a PC. However, there are a few steps you can take to move data from a VSAM file to a flat file, including using automation scripts. Another method involves using file transfer utilities. Batch jobs are scripts that run automatically on a CICS system, and they copy the data to another file.
Another method of copying a VSAM file is by using the REPRO command. This command copies data from one VSAM dataset to another. You must specify the names of the input and output files. For example, if you’re loading a dataset from AIX, you must specify the pathname. You can also use ddname to copy the base cluster in alternate-key sequence.
The next method involves merging the input dataset with the output cluster. If the input dataset contains duplicate records, the output file will contain all of them. You can then merge these files into one new file. The resulting VSAM file will have all the information in one flat file. However, it will be a large file, so make sure that you make a copy of it in order to store it safely.
KSDS
In order to copy a VSAM file to a KSDS flat file, you must use a special utility provided by IBM. This utility is called IDCAMS, and it picks up control commands from the input file. The VSAM program must specify the primary key in hexadecimal format, and the KSDS file must contain a single key, named S9(5) COMP-3.
To copy a VSAM data set to a KSDS flat file, use REPRO. The command copies records in the KSDS file starting at row position six, and ending at row position fifteen. This command is also valid for KSDS and RRDS datasets. The target data set must have been defined with the REUSE option. Otherwise, the REPRO command will end with an error message.
VSDS can be created from a VSAM data file, or from another dataset. It works on all VSAM datasets, including those in the KSDS format. It supports data from both types of datasets, but it is not recommended for all users. If you’re unsure of how to copy a VSAM file to KSDS, refer to the documentation for the command.
A COBOL program can be written to read a VSAM Keyed Sequential Data Set. Once this is done, it will create a sequential file containing EBCDIC content, and then convert it to ASCII. The EBCDIC files typically reside on a mainframe legacy system, and may be quite large and updated over the years. They may also contain packed decimal and binary fields.
About The Author
Mindy Vu is a part time shoe model and professional mum. She loves to cook and has been proclaimed the best cook in the world by her friends and family. She adores her pet dog Twinkie, and is happily married to her books.