multiple cobol record layouts in the single file

[rgandra]

My extract file is the variable length file with two different cobol layouts. I have to choose the layout depends on the REC_TYPE column. File is in the binary format.

I have no idea how I could achieve this in the Data stage.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

[Lotus26]

My extract file is the variable length file with two different cobol layouts. I have to choose the layout depends on the REC_TYPE column. File is in the binary format.

I have no idea how I could achieve this in the Data stage.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

One option is ask your source to send the file as a Fixed width file. i.e the record which got maximum width. for the other record they have to fillup spaces for the remaining characters. Like if the record 1 is 100 characters and record 2 is 75 characters. Then the record 2 has fillup with 25 spaces.

In the transformer u have to differentiate with your REC_TYPE column.

Hope it helps a bit

Rgds
Lotus

[rwierdsm]

Rganda,

I have just completed working on a project that does exactly what you are describing. We used the following approach:

- Read in the file using a single column (2000 wide in our case -> max record width plus 25% or so for future growth) to do preliminary validation such as header check, duplication check, file version check, delta processing, etc. Send the results to the next step.
- read the file in using a Complex Flat File stage (I'm assuming there is such a thing in EE, otherwise drop down to Server for this step)
- split the file up according to your record type indicator into the different record layouts. You will have to define the record layouts using a COBOL copy book format. Search the forum for more info on this.
- once the file is split into record types, perform mapping tranformations and then load to target.

Hope this helps!

Rob Wierdsma