Transferring Data from DOS Random Type-2 Files

When you transfer data from DOS random type-2 files to iSeries, eServer™ i5, or System i5® files, the data changes as follows:
  • ASCII character data, date, time, and time stamp data change to EBCDIC character data on a byte by byte basis.
  • Binary fields in the workstation file are stored in an order reversed from what the system file expects. These bytes reverse and transfer to the system file.
  • Hexadecimal fields do not change. The field length on the system should be the same as the field length on the workstation.
  • For packed decimal fields, the last half-byte (the half-byte that contains the sign) is not changed unless the sign half-byte is less than X'A' (represented by values 0 through 9). If the sign half-byte is less than X'A', it is changed to X'F' on the host system.

    For example, X'865431D' appears as X'0865431D', but X'08654318' appears as X'0865431F'.

  • Zoned decimal fields on the workstation change from ASCII to EBCDIC, as do character fields. However, the sign half-byte is changed to an F to indicate a positive number or a D to indicate a negative number when the data is sent to the host system.

    For example, ASCII X'303132353276' appears as EBCDIC X'F0F1F2F5F2D6'.

  • For null-capable iSeries, eServer i5, or System i5 fields, null values (except date, time, and time stamp) cannot be reliably detected and are not uploaded. For variable-length iSeries, eServer i5, or System i5 fields, trailing blanks are removed and the field is converted to the variable-length format.
Parent topic: DOS Random Type-2 Files