Data Build Manual

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Data Build Reference
7–6 099331 Tandem Computers Incorporated
Option 3 This field specifies the input format.
Option Meaning
Blank Input is in IBM EBCDIC format (not in IXF nor ASCII file format.).
ASCII Input is in ASCII format.. ASCII is required if you specify CSV in Option 4.
IXF Input is in Integration Exchange Format (IXF).
IBM EBCDIC Input
Data Build can convert IBM data in “raw” format. This format is neither IXF nor
ASCII. IBM data in a raw format includes:
A mixture of binary, packed decimal, and EBCDIC character data types.
Contiguous string of fields of mixed data types.
ASCII Input
The same as IBM EBCDIC input except character data is in ASCII format and there is
no packed decimal data type.
IXF Input
IXF specifies that the input is in Integration Exchange Format. If you specify IXF
format, Data Build creates your Source Record Descriptions file automatically. To
export and format data from an IBM database, IBM offers various software tools, such
as QMF (Query Management Facility), DXT (Data Extract Facility) and VSAM Access
Method Services. QMF and DXT can extract data in Integration Exchange Format
(IXF) from a DB2 database. Data Build supports only the CCI version of IXF data—
COLUMNAR Data Convention, CHARACTER Data Format, and INTERNAL Data
Location.
IXF records have the following characteristics:
Extracted from a DB2 table generally using QMF or sometimes extracted by DXT.
In self-describing format.
Have header (H), table (T), column (C), and data (D) records that define:
The table name
Each column in the table, including:
1. Name
2. Data length
3. Data type
4. Indicator that specifies if nulls are allowed
The data records