Information Management Technology Library PCFORMAT User’s Guide ™ Abstract Part Number This manual serves as both an introduction and reference guide to the 654X PCFORMAT File Conversion Facility software program (Product No. 9108) from Tandem Computers.
Document History Edition Part Number Operating System Version First Edition 82679 A00 82679 A01 066374 GUARDIAN A20 MS-DOS 2.11 Second Edition Note GUARDIAN A20 MS-DOS 2.11 Date Nov 1984 Dec 1984 July 1991 The second edition of this manual was reformatted in July 1991; no changes were made to the manual’s content at that time. New editions incorporate any updates issued since the previous edition. Copyright All rights reserved.
Contents Preface Section 1 v Product Overview Introduction Features 1-1 1-2 System Operation Section 2 1-4 Operation General 2-1 Preparing to Run PCFORMAT Running PCFORMAT 2-2 2-3 Tandem Database to 654X Application: A Complete Example 2-5 Section 3 COPY Command General 3-1 Command Inputs Output Formats 3-1 3-2 COPY Command 3-3 Database Restrictions Appendix A 3-7 PCFORMAT Error Messages General A-1 Error Messages A-1 Warning Messages A-6 066374 Tandem Computers Incorporated
Contents Index Figures Index–1 Figure 1-1 Tandem Database to 654X Workstation File Conversion and Transfer 1-1 Figure 1-2 Tandem Database to 654X Workstation Data Flow 1-4 Figure 2-1 Major Steps for Complete Example 2-5 Figure 2-2 DDL Source for CYCPARTS Record 2-7 Figure 2-3 ENFORM LIST of CYPARTS File 2-8 Figure 2-4 Database File in Lotus 1-2-3 2-11 Tables Table 1-1 iv PCFORMAT Output Formats 1-2 066374 Tandem Computers Incorporated
Preface Overview Note About This Manual This manual serves as both an introduction and reference guide to the 654X PCFORMAT File Conversion Facility software program (Product No. 9108) from Tandem Computers. The PCFORMAT program runs in the Tandem host system and is used to convert data from a host system database to a form that is compatible with many of the personal computer (PC) software packages that run on the 654X workstation (or IBM PC).
Preface Related Publications Section 3, “COPY Command,” describes the single PCFORMAT command in detail, and includes examples that demonstrate the various command options.
1 Product Overview Introduction The need for a program like PCFORMAT stems from the fact that different computer systems often store data in different formats. When it is advantageous to use the productivity tools from one system on the data of a second system, and the data in the two systems is not compatible, the automatic format conversion work of a program like PCFORMAT becomes a necessity.
Product Overview Features Features The PCFORMAT program is run from a Command Interpreter (COMINT) process on the host system. One command, named COPY, completely defines the format conversion work undertaken by PCFORMAT. At a minimum, the COPY command must specify the record in the Tandem database dictionary identifying the source file to be converted, the output format desired, and the name of the intermediate file containing the converted data.
Product Overview Features Command Options. A number of options increase the flexibility of the COPY command. The volume and subvolume of the database dictionary may be specified (the default is the current volume and subvolume). The database source file for conversion can be named explicitly (rather than implicitly with the supplied record name). The field headings for the database source file can be deleted during the conversion process.
Product Overview System Operation System Operation Figure 1-2 shows the major steps involved in extracting, converting, and transferring Tandem database information over to the 654X workstation. As indicated in the figure, PCFORMAT is one of several software packages involved in the overall process, and all work can be directed from the 654X workstation. Figure 1-2.
Product Overview System Operation PCFORMAT Operation Once the target database file(s) have been selected, and the associated record name(s) are known, the PCFORMAT COPY command can be used. A typical command looks like: :PCFORMAT COPY (FORMAT DIF) JAN-SALES AS JANDIF This command converts the data in the file associated with the DDL record definition “JAN-SALES” into DIF format in the intermediate (output) file JANDIF.
Product Overview System Operation Using Converted Data in the Application After the IXF data transfer is complete, the PC-compatible application can be run from the MS-DOS environment. The technique for loading the converted data into the application varies with each application. In the case of Lotus 1-2-3, DIF files with an extension of “DIF” must be translated to a “WKS-type” file with the Lotus Translate Utility.
2 Operation General The first part of this section contains instructions for using PCFORMAT from a 654X workstation. The section closes with a detailed example that starts with a look at some data from the Tandem database and ends with the use of the data in a PC-compatible application. We assume you are familiar with the basic operation of the 654X workstation, and know how to power it up and down, install and format diskettes, use the keyboard, etc.
Operation Preparing to Run PCFORMAT Preparing to Run PCFORMAT PCFORMAT is run from the COMINT prompt (:) after you have logged onto the host system. If your 654X is logged onto the host and displaying the COMINT prompt, skip the steps that follow. Otherwise, proceed with the appropriate steps to “ready” your 654X workstation for PCFORMAT operation. 1. Install the MS-DOS diskette in drive A of your 654X workstation and the MS-DOS supplemental diskette in drive B. 2.
Operation Running PCFORMAT Running PCFORMAT The PCFORMAT COPY command can be typed on the COMINT command line or included in an obey file. To keep the length of the COPY command to a minimum, use the COMINT VOLUME command to select the subvolume containing the database file and dictionary you plan to use. If the dictionary and file are in different subvolumes, select one or the other.
Operation Running PCFORMAT Specifying Database File in COPY Command The database file associated with the named record in the dictionary is not used by the COPY command when a file is named explicitly with the DATAFILE option. For example: :PCFORMAT COPY (FORMAT DIF, DATAFILE LOG) NEWREC AS DATA.TEMP converts the database file LOG into DIF format using the record description NEWREC. The new output file is named TEMP on the DATA subvolume.
Operation Tandem Database to 654X Application: A Complete Example Tandem Database to The remainder of this section shows how PCFORMAT and IXF work 654X Application: together to convert and transfer a Tandem database file to a 654X A Complete Example PC-compatible application. Lotus 1-2-3 is the application used in this example, however; the emphasis here is on the role of PCFORMAT and IXF and not the details of the application.
Operation Tandem Database to 654X Application: A Complete Example Procedure The following procedure contains the details needed to perform the steps in Figure 2-1. The numbered steps that follow correspond to the numbered steps in the figure. 1. Boot MS-DOS into your 654X workstation as follows: a. Install MS-DOS diskette in drive A of your 654X workstation and the MS-DOS supplemental diskette in drive B. b.
Operation Tandem Database to 654X Application: A Complete Example 4. This step is optional. Its purpose is to take a look at the contents of a database file and its record description as it exists on the Tandem host system. The sample database file is named CYCPARTS (short for “motor cycle parts”), the same name used for the record description in the database dictionary. In this example, the dictionary and the CYCPARTS file are in the same subvolume.
Operation Tandem Database to 654X Application: A Complete Example Note This example assumes the data needed for the 654X application is organized as required in a database file. If this is not the case, add a new record to the dictionary (with DDL) and use the ENFORM FIND command to create the new database file. Figure 2-3.
Operation Tandem Database to 654X Application: A Complete Example with the Lotus “/File Import” command. Since the BASIC format is the most direct approach, we will use it in this example. Assuming the database dictionary is in the same subvolume as the CYCPARTS file, the PCFORMAT command should look like: :PCFORMAT COPY (FORMAT BASIC,PURGE) CYCPARTS AS PARTLIST The BASIC format output file is named PARTLIST, and if an earlier version of PARTLIST is in the current subvolume, it is automatically purged. 6.
Operation Tandem Database to 654X Application: A Complete Example Note Several of the substeps in the next step assume you have a general working knowledge of Lotus 1-2-3. Instructions for every keystroke are not included. 8. When the MS-DOS prompt returns to the screen, run Lotus 1-2-3 as follows: a. Remove the IXF diskette from drive A and install the Lotus 1-2-3 diskette. b. Type “LOTUS” and press RETURN. c. Follow the instructions and bring an empty worksheet up on the screen. d.
Operation Tandem Database to 654X Application: A Complete Example Figure 2-4. Database File in Lotus 1-2-3 Al: ‘Prt 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 A B C D E Part Part No.
3 COPY Command General This section contains a detailed description of the COPY command, the only command used with PCFORMAT. Prior to the command description, the input database file and record requirements and the output formats produced by COPY are discussed. Examples of the COPY command follow the description. The section closes with a discussion of the restrictions on the Tandem database records and files processed by PCFORMAT.
COPY Command Output Formats Output Formats PCFORMAT produces an unstructured file whose records are written in 4096-byte blocks and have one of the following formats: ASCII, BASIC, DIF (Data Interchange Format), or SYLK (Symbolic Link). ASCII Each record of the database file is converted into a line of text terminated by a carriage return/linefeed (CR/LF) pair. A line is constructed by converting each field of the input record into ASCII characters and separating consecutive fields with a blank space.
COPY Command COPY Command COPY Command The COPY command converts a Tandem database file with a record structure defined by into a unstructured file named
COPY Command COPY Command OUT specifies the name of an existing Tandem file or device to which any error and warning messages are directed. If not specified, it defaults to the home terminal. ,options is one or more of the following options (multiple options are separated with commas): DATAFILE specifies the name of the database file to be converted by PCFORMAT.
COPY Command COPY Command PURGE deletes an existing file from the destination subvolume having the same name as
COPY Command COPY Command PCFORMAT searches the dictionary in the current subvolume for a record named AUTO-PARTS. If the record is found, the file named in the record is converted to the BASIC format and named AUTPRTS. If no AUTO-PARTS record exists, PCFORMAT terminates with an “Invalid record name” error message.
COPY Command Database Restrictions Use the PURGE option whenever you want to replace the contents of an existing file. Figure 2-2 shows the DDL source statement for a record with headings defined for each field. If the NOHEADING option is not used, the headings shown will be written as the first line in
Appendix A General Error Messages PCFORMAT Error Messages This appendix lists the error and warning messages that can be produced by PCFORMAT. Error messages are more serious than warning messages, and typically explain why a COPY command did not execute. Warning messages usually explain why the content of the output file from PCFORMAT may differ from the expected.
PCFORMAT Error Messages Error Messages Table A-1.
PCFORMAT Error Messages Error Messages Dictionary is out of date: please convert The specified dictionary was created by a DDL version prior to revision D00. The dictionary must be recompiled with a DDL version of D00 or later. Exception nnnnnn exception class A programming error has occurred. Contact support personnel. File error accessing dictionary $VOL.SUBVOL.FILE An error was encountered accessing the dictionary.
PCFORMAT Error Messages Error Messages File size not an even multiple of DDL record size The data file is an unstructured file whose size is not an even multiple of the size of the specified DDL record. Invalid DDL data type encountered - COMPLEX The record definition specified contains the unsupported TYPE COMPLEX data type. Invalid record name The specified record name does not exist in the dictionary. No data file specified There is not data file associated with the specified record name.
PCFORMAT Error Messages Error Messages Short data record The record in the data file is shorter than the record size specified by the DDL record description. This can occur if the data file contains variablelength records. Unanticipated error nnnnnn error A programming error has occurred. Retry the command, and if the error repeats, contact support personnel. nnnnnn Invalid DDL data type encountered The record description contains one of the DDL constructs not supported.
PCFORMAT Error Messages Warning Messages Warning Messages The PCFORMAT warning messages are listed and explained below. Warning—character data has embedded quotation marks Quotation marks (“) have been detected in the data file. The output file may not produce the expected results. Warning—datafile record size is greater than DDL record size, truncated The data file is a structured file whose record size is greater than the size of the specified DDL record.
Index A Applications 1-6, 2-5 ASCII format 1-2, 3-2 ASSIGN command 2-4, 3-5 B BASIC format 1-2, 3-2 C COPY command description 3-3 examples 1-5, 2-4, 3-1, 3-5/6 inputs 3-1 D Database 1-5, 2-4, 3-1, 3-7 DDL 1-4, 2-7 DIF format 1-2, 3-2 E EM653X emulator 1-4, 2-6 ENABLE 1-4, 2-6 ENFORM 1-4, 2-7 Error messages A-1 Examples 1-5, 2-3, 2-4, 3-5/6 F Formats, output 1-2, 3-2 066374 Tandem Computers Incorporated Index–1
Index I IXF 1-1, 1-5, 2-9 L Lotus 1-2-3 2-10 M MS-DOS 1-1, 2-2 O Operation PCFORMAT 2-1 system overview 1-4, 2-5 P PCFORMAT overview 1-1, 1-4 operation 2-1 requirements 2-1 R Restrictions, database 3-7 S SYLK format 1-2, 3-2 T Terminating, PCFORMAT 2-3 W Warning messages A-1 Index–2 066374 Tandem Computers Incorporated
