Problem:
How can VB or any other language read a Micro Focus flat file (line or record sequential) that has signed numeric fields with or without decimal positions?
Resolution:
Data is stored in numeric fields in a line or record sequential file as shown below:
Value
PIC
In file
9
999
009
9
s999
009
-9
s999
00y
9
999v99
00900
9.9
999v99
00990
9
s999v99
00900
9.9
s999v99
00990
-9
s999v99
0090p
As shown above, there is no way to tell or determine the decimal position in file. If it is known, then the value can be converted easily. For example, the number in file can be devided to 100 to obtain the actual value if the PIC comes with V99.
As shown above, all negative figures end with a letter in file. See the list below to convert the letter to a number:
p -> 0
q -> 1
r -> 2
s -> 3
t -> 4
u -> 5
v -> 6
w -> 7
x -> 8
y -> 9
If the last character is a letter (between 'p' and 'y'), then it is a negative number. The last character can then be changed to a number using the list above. The rule or logic behind the conversion is to add 64 to the decimal representation of the last digit, and that gives the decimal representation of the last character to take the last postion.
Example:
The value in file is 045v (assuming it is a whole number)
The last position is a letter. Therefore, this is a negative number.
If the list above is known, then it is to tell that the last character should be replaced with 6. Otherwise, the following calculation has to be done:
* determine the decimal representation of 'v', which is 118
* subtract 118 by 64 -> 54
* the character that corresponds to 54 is the number 6
Therefore, 045v is actually -0456 or -456.
Note: The above does not apply to COMP fields. Writing a Cobol program would be the best solution to the necessary conversion.
