How to find the record length of a mainframe file using SAS?

[aswinappus]

I'm trying to access a mainfram file(Fixed format file) in SAS. Is there an option to get the record length of the file? 

[Reeza]

If you read it in using _infile_ you should get the RECL in the log.

If it's a fixed format file, you'll need a standards doc though otherwise parsing it out is going to be a pain in the neck.

[Cynthia_sas]

If the file is catalogued, the LRECL should be available from the system catalog.

cynthia

[aswinappus]

Yes, it is a fixed format file. 

[Kurt_Bremser]

Fixed format files do have a structure in the program that created them. Most often, that structure is not kept within the program, but an external include file. Get hold of that include file, and use it to write your data step. After you have accounted for all variables, add the lengths of the used formats.

This is a major part of my work, as my source data comes from DB/2 running on a virtual MF environment on Linux.

[aswinappus]

Thanks!, But, did you mean to use the copybook of the mainframe file?

[Kurt_Bremser]

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@aswinappus wrote:

Thanks!, But, did you mean to use the copybook of the mainframe file?

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I don't know what you mean by copybook in this context. Our external file strcutures are kept as PL/1 include files.

The easiest way to get the metadata of mainframe files is to log on to the mainframe and use the ISPF/PDF services from TSO to display file information.

[Cynthia_sas]

HI:
If you have COBOL copybooks you might research an older routine called "COB2SAS" that could take a COBOL file definition and turn it into a SAS INPUT statement for the purpose of reading a file created with COBOL into SAS format.

cynthia