Maximum number of digits for a field

George Tillmon · Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2010 12:17 am

Hi.

I am trying to load several fields with spaces in a record.
The first field is 2192 (header record) , the second is 22 (detail record)and the third is 2185 (trailer record).
The total length of each record is 2220.

Why are spaces not showing in the file?
Everything looks fine until I use a text editor and there are no spaces.
Which causes the Federal Government, to whomo I send the file, to have a conniption.

Maybe the header and trailer records I can understand, but not the detail record. The field I am trying to fill with spaces is only 22 bytes long.

So, is the length of my header and trailer records to long for cobol to use? I do not get an error when I compile the program or execute the job.

Thanks,
George

Robert Sample · Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2010 12:23 am

Line 317 is your problem.

Seriously, if you don't show us what code you're using, information about the file, and what you're getting for output already -- how on earth do you expect to get any realistic help? Furthermore, your subject is about digits in a field but you are talking about spaces in a record. Terminology is critical in IT and so far you have mixed terminology so bad I don't think anybody can understand exactly what it is you want to do!

CICS Guy · Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2010 12:45 am

Craq Giegerich · Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2010 12:46 am

What does your problem have to do with the subject line "Maximum number of digits for a field"? Are you filling the fields with spaces or low-values?

dick scherrer · Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2010 1:19 am

Hello,

How many level 01 entries are there for the FD for this output file?

Which text editor are you using? Mainframe or after the data is downloaded? If you browse the file on the mainframe with HEX ON, are the spaces in the records or are these veriable length and so are truncated at lrecl?

How is the data downloaded? Often, trailing spaces are deleted . . .

George Tillmon · Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2010 1:31 am

I am writing from three different 01 levels.
All files are fixed block.

I am using PsPad on the pc to look at the file after using Filezilla to download the file from the mainframe to my pc.

Yes, trailing spaces are being deleted, however, the Feds and I are not into agreement over this.

When I browse the file on the mainframe, with HEX ON, it shows 40. There are spaces in the proper places.

Thanks,
George

CICS Guy · Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2010 1:44 am

Robert Sample · Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2010 1:46 am

Are you transferring the file to the Feds via FTP?
If so, there is an option in FTP to suppress trailing blanks -- if set that could cause the trailing spaces to not be transferred. You would need to work with your site support group to confirm this. You could test with

George Tillmon · Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2010 5:18 pm

Thanks for all the assistance.

I am using Filezilla to download the file from the mainframe to one of our lan locations.

CICS Guy · Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2010 7:48 pm

Robert Sample · Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2010 8:03 pm

While Filezilla documentation is not clear on the point, there is at least a strong possibility that Filezilla does not deal with trailing spaces in data files. You should try another download method that does handle the trailing spaces to see if your problem is cleared up.

George Tillmon · Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2010 8:09 pm

Thank you.

That is what I am in the process of doing. I have contacted one of our pc technical professionals to do a maniframe to lan ftp.

I am looking to see about another ftp application also.