The DOS/BATCH EBCDIC Conversion Program EBASCI

This document describes the EBASCI program, a DOS/BATCH utility designed to convert data from EBCDIC format on magnetic tape to ASCII code and output it to a specified device.

Key features and operating procedures include:

• Functionality: EBASCI accepts input exclusively from magtape (default unit MT0) and outputs to any compatible device (default RK disk unit 1, DK1). Users can reassign input/output logical names (IN for input, OUT for output).
• Tape Handling: It supports both ANSI standard labeled tapes (requiring HDR1 and HDR2 labels) and unlabeled tapes. An optional VOL label is ignored. Tapes are automatically rewound at the start but not between successive file copies to save time.
• Data Characteristics: The program handles maximum block and record sizes of 8000 bytes and supports both fixed- and variable-length records.

• User Interaction:

  • The program is initiated with $RUN EBASCI.
  • It guides the user through a series of prompts, requiring YES/NO or numerical/text input.
  • Label Check: Asks if the tape has labels.
  • File Positioning: Prompts for the file number to read (1 for first, 0 to exit).
  • Labeled Tapes: If labeled, EBASCI displays file name, recording mode, and record size from the HDR blocks for user confirmation.
  • Unlabeled Tapes: If unlabeled, the user must manually enter the file name, specify if records are fixed or variable length, and provide the record size in bytes.
  • ASCII Translation: Asks if ASCII translation is desired. If "NO", it converts ANSI standard ASCII tapes to DOS formatted tapes.
  • Carriage Return/Line Feed: If ASCII translation is "YES", it asks whether a carriage return/line feed combination should be added after each logical record.
  • After processing, the program cycles back to the file positioning step, allowing multiple files to be converted in one run.

• Restarting: To use a new input tape during a run, the user types CTRL/C, then RESTART, which restarts the EBASCI program from step 1.