Detailed Features

Detailed Features

The following files formats can be manipulated by Data Editor:

File Types and Organization	Available Operations
Sequential files conforming to standard COBOL specifications	Create, Add, Update, View
Line Sequential files conforming to standard COBOL specifications	Create, Add, Update, View
Indexed files conforming to standard COBOL specifications	Create, Add, Update, View
Relative files conforming to standard COBOL specifications	Create, Add, Update, View
General files (sequential files and fixed files)	Create, Add, Update, View

Major Functions

This section describes the main functions used to manage data files in Windows.

Analyzing Record Formats from COBOL Definitions, FILE Definition Statements, and Layout Definition Files

You can analyze record formats from COBOL data defintions or from the Layout Definition File (a file created and used by the NetCOBOL Data Tools). This function saves the user from having to make definitions using control statements, record definition statements, etc.

Automatically Saving File-Related Information

You can automatically save information on files such as the COBOL definitions or the Layout Definition File, and the items selected to be displayed. The information does not need to be input again for a file that has been edited or viewed at least once.

Selectively Extracting Data

When an existing file is opened, you can select the records to be edited using one of the following three options:
  All Records
  All records are available for editing.
  Selected Range
  A range of records is available to be edited using the physical order of the records (e.g. records 20 through 30).
  Data Condition
  A subset of records is available for editing, selected by tests based on data item values.

Support for Various Character Sets

Data Editor supports the display/edit/print of data in the following character code systems:

Supported code systems:	ASCII Data
	EBCDIC Data
	Unicode Data

Data Edit Screen Views

The user can switch to either of the following data editing views:
  Record Format View
  Allows the user to view and edit records and update selected data items. Also allows the user to insert, add, copy, or delete a record.
  Table Format View
  Allows the user to view multiple records in a table format view and update selected data items.

Select Items Function

The user can select a data item to be edited, or the user can switch the COPY clause record format. One of the following four functions can be set:
Switching Record Formats
If a COPY clause file contains multiple data items at the 01 level, the user can switch between formats.
OCCURS Clause Expansion
If a record selected by switching record formats contains an OCCURS clause, the data item can be expanded to as many pieces as there are arrays before they are displayed or updated.
Select Items
Allows the user to select the items to be edited (or verified) from the list of data items contained in the selected record, and to specify group items.
Switching to the Redefinition Attribute
Allows the user to switch an item that specifies REDFINES to the redefining data attribute.

Hexadecimal Edit

Allows the user to view and edit data using hexadecimals, and to view and input data according to the specified data attribute.

Save to New Data File

Allows the user to save a data file being edited (extracted) to another file. The record type and file organization of a new file will be the same as the source file.

Data Converter Linkage Function

If Data Converter is installed, the user can convert data being edited into CSV, XML, or another code/file organization data file and output it. The user can also import either CSV or XML format files and display them in the edit view.

Test Data Generation Function

Test data can be generated automatically by specifying data generation conditions for each data item. The following data generation options are supported:
  Insert/Append
  Insert or append automatically generated data records.
  Copy
  Replicate the current record with the option to modify current values with automatically generated data.
  Replace
  Replace the value of a specific data item throughout a range of records with automatically generated data.

Print Function

Allows the user to print data being edited as shown in the table format view, and print data together with a header or footer or hexadecimal value of data, etc. This function also allows you to check the print image in a preview screen.

Search Function

The following search functions are provided:
  Searching for Data
  Allows the user to find a specific character or numeric data in one item, or find data using hexadecimals.
  Searching for an Item
  Allows the user to specify an item name so that it will be displayed at the top of the edit screen. This function is very useful when many items are involved.

Replace Function

Allows the user to replace data that matches specified character-strings or hexadecimal data.

Drag and Drop Function

The user may indicate the data file to be manipulated by dragging and dropping the data file into the Data Editor Initial View.

Execution by Specifying a File Name

Allows the user to activate the Data Editor by specifying a data file name from the command line.
For example, activating Data Editor from the DOS prompt:
C:\Program Files\Fujitsu NetCOBOL for Windows\Datatools\DataEdit.exe ..\Samples\DataTools\Data1.dat

Backup Function

Allows the user to save a backup copy of a data file to another folder prior to editing it.

Binary Access

Allows the user to access sequential and fixed length files other than COBOL files. This function is available even if COBOL is not installed.