Record Editor

Record Editor	Record Editor Family	Mainframe, Binary files	Viewing Text File	Download Versions	Linux	Filter	Changes	Documentation	Useful Applications

Record Editor

This is a Programmers Data-file editor, similar to the Mainframe Editor - File-Aid or Net-Cobols Cobol-Editor. The Editor is written in java (1.4) so should run on most Computer Systems. The RecordEditor has the following uses

Viewing/editing Fixed field length data files (i.e. fields occupy the same columns in every record. A typical file might be- Columns 1 to 8 Product, Columns 9 to 16 Quantity etc).
Viewing/editing CSV (i.e. Comma / Tab separated fields) files. If you are just wanting to edit CSV file, reCsvEditor is a version of the RecordEditor specialising in editing CSV files. The RecordEditor is focused on Fixed Width and Complicated CSV files.
Copying Files from one format to another.
Comparing files (same or different formats).

This program uses a Record-Layout definition to display the data file in a Human Readable Form. It can handle both PC (Text and Binary) and native IBM Mainframe (Text and Binary) file formats.

These Record-Layouts are stored in a Database. There is an option to import Cobol Record Layouts into the Database plus screens to edit the Record Layouts.

Fixed Field Length data files are very common :

On IBM Mainframes
In Cobol Programs

But at work we also use them for

Sending data to IBM 4680/4690 Register Controllers. See 4680 Notes for more details on setting up for 4680 files.
Automated Warehouse Control Systems
Transferring data between different Computers

I believe the people working in the following areas will find this program very useful:

Interfacing with IBM Mainframe Systems.
Mainframe Programmers (who do not have access to File-Aid or similar products).
IBM 4680/4690 Register controllers.

Features

Record-Editor features:

Displays fixed format (i.e. Mainframe/Cobol data files) in a human readable format.
Support for editing both binary and text files.
Support for editing both Ascii~PC and Native Mainframe Ebcdic files on a PC.
Being written in Java it should run on most Computer systems.
Column can be resized by dragging with the cursor.
Columns can be rearranged by dragging and dropping the column.

Downloads

The program can be downloaded at Download Page. There is a description of Download Versions

Program Summary

Language	Java 1.5
Author	Bruce Martin
Requirements	Java 1.5 run time
Testing	Windows XP;Linux (Fedora 8, PCLinuxOS 2007, Knoppix)

Analysis by ohloh

The site www.ohloh.net does some analysis of Projects like this. There estimates are way over for a project like this (at least 5 or 6 times for the java and a lot more for the markup code). But it gives you some idea of the effort involved:

RecordEditor Anaylysis

RecordEditor at SourceForge Download Page Forums