Re: How to access Microfocus Data files


"Stephen K. Miyasato" <miyasat@xxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:4521b80d$0$25776$ed962e05@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
If you have the COBOL source code, with the file definition, I have a

component that will access the data. I have another component that will

convert the data structure to an ODBC accessible Relational Data Base
(MySQL

or Access - easily exportable to SQL Server or Oracle, if required), and

generate a module to load the DB with the existing data from the file.
This

'opens up' the closed COBOL file system, as the RDB can be accessed with

standard software like Access, Excel, etc.

Yes, I have the source code and file definitions but I'm not a Cobol
programmer.

Well, that is pretty crucial. Given that you have source, it will be
possible to solve your problem relatively easily.


I would like to be able to access them through the DLL that the previous
developer has written.

I can't really help with that, as I don't use MicroFocus and you haven't
described what this .DLL is used for.



I have that on another subject. "how to export a Microfocus DLL with
Delphi.


I have some very limited experience with Delphi; it came down to fixing the
generated Pascal... :-)

I could also use the conversion utility if you have an ODBC like
connection.

The conversion utility generates a relational database, in third normal
form, with table(s) that equate to the original COBOL definitions. Repeating
groups (OCCURS) in the COBOL are normalized to separate tables, with the
appropriate foreign key automatically set up. (REDEFINES is also catered
for.) The DB created (or, it can generate to an existing Database), has all
constraints and indexes in the original COBOL file(s) generated into it. The
RDB can be accessed remotely or locally with ODBC, and it can be a MySQL or
Access 2000 DB. (Either of these is easily exported to any other standard
RDB that supports standad SQL - Oracle, DB2, informix, etc..)

A COBOL program is simultaneously generated, which reads the original COBOL
file(s) and writes their data to the RDB. As this is a COBOL source program
you could edit it to do any specific processing you may require during
conversion. You will, obviously, need a COBOL compiler to compile it before
you can run it to load the data to the generated RDB.

If you are talking about one file, I wuld be happy to do the conversion for
you for free. I can't let you have the software for nothing, and it isn't
worth buying it to convert one file.

If you are interested in doing this...

Send me:

1. The COBOL source. (That contains the file definitions and SELECTS).


I'll send you back:

1. An empty Access (or MySQL) database that contains the data structure
defined by the COBOL source on the file, normalized to third normal form.
(If you opt for MySQL, I can include a complete set of CREATE TABLE
statements that will create the database in any standard SQL environment.)
2. The COBOL source for a program that will read your existing data file and
load its contents to the new Relational database. (You would need to
compile it in your MicroFocus environment, then run it.)


I'm trying to access the DLL with Delphi but am having problems.

Sorry, I can't help you with that.

Pete.


Stephen K. Miyasato



"Pete Dashwood" <dashwood@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:<4odm6oFe8q5rU1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>...



"Stephen K. Miyasato" <miyasat@xxxxxxxx> wrote in message

news:45217f03$0$25775$ed962e05@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Is there a way to access the Microfocus Data file? ODBC? OLEDB?



Stephen K. Miyasato





You can access these files with a COBOL program. They are not MicroFocus

files; they are files written by the MicroFocus COBOL file system.



If you are unable to write such a program (no COBOL software) you should
use

a utility to try and decipher the format and content of them ('Packrat'
has

been well spoken of here...). You can then write something in any of the

popular languages to access them.





If you don't have the source, you should brace yourself for pain...



Pete.


.

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