CONVERTC: source file search and modification tool

Description

Mass change program intended for source file conversion. Many search and conversion options.

Categories

Compare & Search
Conversion
Program Maintenance

Related files

CONVERTC: Object file for program.

DISPLAY: The Wang DISPLAY utility is used to show conversion listings.

IBM: Sample parameter file demonstrating conversion of IBM to Wang VS COBOL.

TOIBM: Sample parameter file demonstrating conversion from VS COBOL to IBM.

User Instructions

Searches program source files, performing various actions on statements. Actions taken include listing the affected source statements, converting text within ranges, on-line modification of source statements, and many other options. Search criteria and most conversions can be specified with ambiguous elements (e.g. 'wild cards').

A CONVERTC session begins with the parameter file, a list of search parameters and the respective actions to be taken when each item is located. This list is divided into two columns: the search options on the left, and the action options on the right. The options for these columns are explained in the documentation available by pressing PF(14).

When the list is complete, it is saved in a parameter file for future runs. Next the file or library to be processed is entered. If the action options in the parameter file are only for the print option (i.e. no source conversion), only the input file and library need be specified; when conversions are to take place, the user must specify input and output locations for the files.

If listings have been requested, the DISPLAY utility is invoked to show them at the conclusion of the session.

Programmer Instructions

CONVERTC contains a mix of interactive screens and GETPARM screens, and can be only partially run within a procedure. In addition, it displays the name of each file currently processing. Due to this use of on-screen information, CONVERTC cannot be run as a non-interactive (background) job.

In addition to the many conversion options available within CONVERTC, special circumstances can be handled through a user exit. With this option, the current, prior, and next lines are passed to a program for special conversion.

OPTIONS     Press PF(02) to create a new parameter file,
            PF(03) to modify a previously defined parameter
            file, PF(04) to process files using an existing
            parameter file, PF(05) for special conversion
            options, PF(06) to run the Wang DISPLAY utility,
            or PF(16) to exit.  (There are no other data
            items on this screen.)

PARMFILE    Press (RETURN) to continue.

  FILE      (blank)     Name of the parameter file to be used
  LIBRARY   (blank)     in this session.  If a new file, the
  VOLUME    (blank)     name of the file to be created.

FILES       Press (RETURN) to continue or PF(16) to return to
            main menu.

  INFILE    (blank)     The location of the input file or
  INLIB     (blank)     library.  Leave file name blank to
  INVOL     (blank)     process an entire library.

  OUTFILE   (blank)     Optional; appears only when
  OUTLIB    (blank)     conversion action items are present
  OUTVOL    (blank)     in the parameter file.

  OVERRIDE  N           Language type option.  May be (N)o
                        (CONVERTC makes best guess),
                        (A)ssembler, (B)ASIC, (C)OBOL,
                        (D)ata, (F)ortran, (R)PGII,
                        (P)rocedure, or (Y)es (language
                        prompted for each file).

Example of use

CONVERTC can be used to locate and analyze string information in program source files or procedures. It is especially handy for locating and modifying disk volume names and other static information in procedure libraries.

The sample parameter file TOIBM provides some clue of the utility's power. TOIBM is intended to change some Wang COBOL references to similar functions in the IBM environment. When processed, this parameter file will produce the following results:

• Establish a range from the beginning of the DATA DIVISION extending through the PROCEDURE DIVISION (see lines 1 and 6).

• Within that DATA DIVISION range, change all references to COMPUTATIONAL, COMP, or COMP. to COMP-3, the IBM equivalent. (See lines 2 - 4.)

• Also within the DATA DIVISION range, change all references to BINARY to the IBM equivalent, COMP (see line 5).

• List these changes to a report (the '#' option).

• Establish other ranges from the beginning of the PROCEDURE DIVISION (see line 7) and the IDENTIFICATION DIVISION (see line 9). Change other references as shown.

Other examples:
• Change the value of a volume name within an entire library of procedures.

• Search for a particular item in a COBOL source library and modify each occurrence on-screen.

• Search for the occurrence or non-occurrence of several text fields, all of which may be separated by an unknown amount of other text.

When contemplating use of CONVERTC for source file revision, try using the listing option during the analysis process, then modifying that parameter list to add the action items needed for the conversion. In this way, you can be sure that the search criteria will be the same.

Comments

Though useful, CONVERTC users should be aware of some of the program's imperfections:
• While wild-card elements are available, the text literals themselves are case-sensitive. In some cases, several search string variations may be necessary to find all occurrences of the string.

• Since the search area consists of a single line of code, text spanning source lines will not be found.

• CONVERTC is often confused detecting the language and may display incorrect values during a run.

• The size and complexity of the parameter list directly affects the speed of processing; the use of 'wild card' will slow the process dramatically.

• Even if properly specified, the output files may not be syntactically correct. Be sure to verify your results carefully.

These problems are not enough, however, to reduce the importance of this software classic.