The Conversion Process

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Follow these steps to convert files using Data Converter.
1.	Prepare input file for conversion.
	If you want to convert files created on other machines such as UNIX workstations or mainframes, you must first transfer them to the PC environment. Since most file transfer programs do not understand COBOL file organizations or field types, it is best to transfer the files as binary files to ensure no character conversion is attempted.
2.	Run the Conversion Wizard to set up the conversion information.
	Data Converter uses a set of information that it stores in a conversion information file (conversion file, for short). You enter and edit this information by running the Conversion Wizard. The key information required is: Conversion mode: Select either Data File Conversion or Text Conversion.
	For data file conversion, use the Layout Definition Utility to define the input and output file layouts and create a layout definition file. The Layout Definition Tool analyzes a COBOL COPY library to give the initial record layouts.
	Specify the input file name and organization details. Specify the output file name and organization details. Confirm the error log name and options, and, if appropriate, a user-defined conversion table.
	When you finish the Conversion Wizard process, you return to the Data Converter main window where all of the details are displayed.
3.	Save the conversion information.
	It is best to save the conversion information in a Conversion Information File. This ensures that the information is available for future executions of the file conversion.
4.	Use Preview to check that the conversion is setup correctly.
	Data Converter provides a preview function that displays the results of the conversion of the first 100 records. You can verify that all of the conversion details are correct before executing a full conversion run.
5.	Execute the conversion.
	Click the Convert button to execute the conversion.
6.	Check for errors.
	Data Converter reports the number of records converted and the number of errors in the conversion. If there are errors, click on the Display Error button to view the Conversion Error File.
7.	Transfer the output file to the target environment.
	If the output file is targeted at a UNIX or mainframe machine, use appropriate file transfer software to transfer the file to the target environment. As with the input file, it is best to transfer the files as binary files to ensure no character conversion is attempted.