How do you generate java~jrecord code for a Cobol copybook

Question

How do you use the RecordEditor to Generate Java~JRecord code from a Cobol Copybook to read/write a Binary EBCDIC Mainframe File.

This a Question and answer to try an prevent some poor/misleading questions being asked or the answer can be pointed to.

Answer 1

File Transfer

To transfer a Binary file from the Mainframe to Windows / *nix box you must do a Binary Transfer for a very simple reason: the Ebcdic --> Ascii program can not distinguish between binary fields and Text fields.

Comp-3 value   hex     hex after Ascii conversion

 400          x'400c'       x'200c'       x'40' is the ebcdic space character
                                          it gets converted to the ascii
                                          space character x'20'

You need to do a Binary transfer from the Mainframe. This will keep the file as EBCDIC and any binary fields will be untouched. You then read the file using Ebcdic.

You will need to check the RECFM on the Mainframe. If the RECFM is

• FB - no problems just transfer
• VB - either convert to FB on the mainframe of include the RDW (Record Descriptor Word) option in the file transfer.
• Other - Convert to FB/VB on the mainframe

RecordEditor CodeGen

The RecordEditor will use details from a Cobol Copybook and a Sample file to generate Java~JRecord Code.

Installing the Recordeditor

Install version 0.98.4 or later. Consider the USB version, you just unzip to a normal directory and run from there. No install is needed

If you install either HSQL version, restart the computer before use

Starting the Code Generator

To start the Code-Generator, select Generate >>> Java~JRecord code for Cobol

First Generate Screen

On this screen enter the Cobol Copybook and Sample file (if you have one). The RecordEditor will try and fill in the fields for you.

You may need to fix up the control fields though. When everything is correct

When everything is correct press the Generate Java~JRecord button

Second Generate Screen

On this screen you can

• Select the Template or Model
• How the Java names are formated
• package id etc.

Generated code

There are several Templates or Models that can be used, including

• Standard - generates basic JRecord code. It will generate Java classes with Cobol field names as constants. This allows you to use IDE code completion instead of typing in the "Cobol-Field-Names".
• lineWrapper - Create a Java Wrapper around the Cobol Data.
• Pojo - Creates Readers / Writers to convert Cobol Data to/from Java Pojo's

press the Generate Code button to generate java code.

LineWrapper:

Pojo:

Answer 2

RecordEditor portable wants to use Java 1.6.