The file translation function translates any of the 8-bit codes used for
characters into another 8-bit code. The use of file translation indicates
one or both of the following:
A character code used in the input data must be translated into the system
code.
The output data must be translated from the system code into a different
code. The translation on input data occurs before any field selection has
taken place. The translation on output data occurs after any editing taken
place.
Remember the following when specifying file translation:
File translation can be specified for data in array or table files (T
in position 18 of the file description specifications).
File translation can be used with data in combined, input, or update files
that are translated at input and output time according to the file translation
table provided. If file translation is used to translate data in an update
file, each record must be written before the next record is read.
For any I/O operation that specifies a search argument in factor 1 (such
as CHAIN, READE, READPE, SETGT, or SETLL) for files accessed by keys, the
search argument is translated before the file is accessed.
If file translation is specified for both a record address file and the
file being processed (if the file being processed is processed sequentially
within limits), the records in the record address file are first translated
according to the file translation specified for that file, and then the records
in the file being processed are translated according to the file translation
specified for that file.
File translation applies only on a single byte basis.
Every byte in the input and output record is translated.
File translation is not supported for local files defined in
subprocedures.