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 format using any Java API or Open source tool?

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