Shell Programming and Scripting

Hi,

I have a file that has got compressed data. I would want to uncompress the packed decimal data(not the file). is there a way to do that in ksh?

packed decimal is a format, not really compression - this article points out that basically you need MicroFcous COBOL to read your file on UNIX:

Packed-Decimal Format, Description and Discussion

You can google around for COMP-3 or packed decimal format - there are code snippets for compiled languages like vb.net that will convert packed decimal for you.

I don't know of any otgher way to this except to resort to building a program. Or finding one.

Thanks a lot jim that has clarified a lot of doubts and it has helped me understand the format much better. However, doesnt ksh support to read this without the help of the tools? even if we have to write a script its fine please point it out where to start from?

Thanks again!!

No ksh does not support reading the format. You have to have a compiled language tool or program. I don't know for sure, perl may work for what you need - see the perl pack/unpack function.

http://perldoc.perl.org/index-functions.html#P

Hey Jim - I could find this Link Link. I am not able to write it the other way round. Would you be able to help me please?

In addition to Jim's suggestion, you may want to have a look at the Convert::IBM390 Perl module that helps you manipulate IBM Mainframe data if that's what you are working on.

Here's the link on CPAN -

Convert::IBM390 - search.cpan.org

tyler_durden

Thanks Tyler - I was looking for ksh. perderabo has written a script to convert to packed decimal. So, I thought this could be reversed as well. Just a thought.