Is there a generic process to convert a file on z/OS to display format? I have a couple hundred files on z/OS I need to convert to Display format before they are NDM to the midrange/Linux. These files contain compressed fields. I'm doing this because I want the files to land on the midrange as ASCII and not as EBCDIC/binary. I'm also trying to avoid writing a COBOL conversion routine for each file. Thanks in advance for any help.
IBM has a utility on the mainframe that can probably do what your asking. The utility is called IEBPTCH (IEB Print Punch). The documentation is here
Its not automatic but could be easier than writing code. From the doc
You can use IEBPTPCH to print or punch all, or selected portions, of a sequential or partitioned data set or PDSE. Data can also be "printed" or "punched" to disk or tape.
IEBPTPCH can be used to print or punch:
- A sequential or partitioned data set or PDSE, in its entirety
- Selected members from a partitioned data set or PDSE
- Selected records from a sequential or partitioned data set or PDSE
- The directory of a partitioned data set or PDSE
- An edited version of a sequential or partitioned data set or PDSE
- A data set containing double-byte character set data
- You can specify the format for the records that you are printing or punching, or you can use IEBPTPCH's default formats.
- The default formats are:
- Each logical output record begins on a new printed line or punched card.
- Each printed line consists of groups of eight characters separated by two blanks.
- Up to 96 data characters can be included on a printed line.
- Each punched card contains up to 80 contiguous bytes of information.
- Characters that cannot be printed appear as blanks.
- When the input is blocked, each logical output record is delimited by "*" and each block is delimited by "**". Sixty lines per page will be printed.
See the RECORD statement here