Introducing DataConverter. . . put mainframe data on your desktop the easy way.
The purpose of this program is to provide a simple method for Macintosh users to convert the data from databases running on mainframes or other platforms into something that can be read in and used on their desktop machines.
The Problem:
Not all databases speak the same language. Many databases (especially those running on mainframes or workstations) use a flat file format. This format is simply a text file in which each record is defined as a string of so many characters in length, and each field is a subset of that string (for example, the "Name" field might be the first 20 characters and the "Address" field the next 30). The major short coming of this format is that it is unreadable by the majority of personal computer programs (including Microsoft Excel™ and Claris FileMaker Pro™). In fact, even word processors tend to have serious problems handling a large file in this format since it usually lacks any carridge returns and requires the program to spend an inordinant amount of time just figuring out the proper line breaks for the millions of lines of text. Additionally, this file format wastes an awful lot of space on a personal computer because fields are “padded out” to the required number of characters by adding the appropriate number of spaces to the fields' data.
In order for a data file to be readable by most Macintosh applications, it needs to have each of the fields and records separated (or delimited) from each other by special characters (usually tabs or commas for fields and carridge returns for records). Once this has been done, there is no longer a need for extra spaces to pad out the data, so these can be gotten rid of (usually reducing your file size by one third to one half). DataConverter accomplishes both of these tasks.
Why Use DataConverter?
There are other ways to convert flat data files into something useful, but none so quick and easy as DataConverter. For instance, in Microsoft Excel 4.0™ the "Parse" command and the "FLAT FILE" macro can be used to convert a flat data file. However, these commands will not work if the data file contains no carridge returns or the record length is greater than 255 characters. Also, some databases like ACI US's 4th Dimension™ allow you similarly parse data. But, this requires a bit of custom database programming to accomplish. Finally, mainframes (or whatever other source you get your flat file data from) can be made to spit out tab separated text. However, this usually requires an experienced (and high priced) programmer to find the time to write the necessary programming code to do so.
Please note, though, that DataConverter is by no means a substitute for any of these or other database or spreadsheet programs since it does NOT manipulate data in any way. DataConverter does enhance the usefulness of these programs by allowing them to access data that would be otherwise useless.
If you deal at all with flat file data, DataConverter will help you out significantly by allowing you to spend less time pouring over printed pages to examine your data only to find out that you need it to look a different way (for analysis or for executive summaries or whatever). Instead, you can simply request the data you need once from your data processing department, and then manipulate it on your desktop Macintosh with your favorite spreadsheet or database program. After all, it's your data, you should be the one who knows what to do with it, and your the one who has the deadline which can be screwed up by the data processing department's delays and queues.
Shareware Info:
DataConverter is not free. You may try it out and see if it is something you like and need. If it is, please send $25 in U.S. funds to the author at:
Brian Durand
922 W. Buena #3W
Chicago, IL 60613
Include both the serial number of your program (found in both the opening dialog box and on the “About DataConverter” dialog box) and either your mailing address or email address so that I can send you a password to eliminate that excessively annoying opening dialog box telling you to register your copy of the program. If you do use this program, pay the shareware fee, it will have saved you a lot more than $25.
*Excel, FileMaker, and 4th Dimension are registered trademarks of Microsoft, Claris, and ACI US respectively.
