Convert Mainframe Binary to Ascii Using any Open Source Code or Tool

Question

How can I convert a mainframe binary file (EBCDIC) having cobol copybook as record layout information to ASCII file by keeping in mind regarding the packed and zoned decimal

Answer 1

Reading in Java

If you want to Read Mainframe Cobol Files in java, have a look at

• JRecord - You will have to specify the charset (font). For US EBCDIC use CP037.
• Legstar - Have variety of Mainframe - Cobol Tools
• CB2java - Has not been updated in a while (not supported any more and has problems)

Also the RecordEditor will let you view / Edit Mainframe Cobol Files

Conversion Utilities

For simple Cobol files these conversion utilities (based on JRecord) could be used:

• CobolToCsv
• CobolToXml
• Cobol To Json

RecordEditor

The RecordEditor has a Generate option for generating Java / JRecord code. See RecordEditor Code Generation notes

Note: I am the author of JRecord/RecordEditor