Re: inherited cobol app., can't run (xm.exe)?

On Mar 10, 5:21 am, KJ <n_o_s_p_a...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:

> They didn't give me the source code -- they don't have it. I am going
> to call the company that developed the program to see if I can
> persuade.

From:

http://www.awci.org/cd/pdfs/9108_c.pdf

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'Persuade' may require the ability to write cheques for 6 or 7 figure
numbers.

Why would they 'give', or even sell, the source code to a product that
you are contracted to create a competitor or replacement for ?

In fact they may even 'persuade' you via the courts that you are
attempting to steal their IP and/or Trade Secrets. There may even be
EULA or contracts that prevent you, as an agent of the customer, from
doing what you have done so far.  Check your liability and indemnity
clauses in the contract with your customer. Don't have any ? oh bad
luck, get a lawyer.


> * Can .GNT files be decompiled?

No.

If you are trying to run .GNT files, or are wanting to use XM.EXE then
you will need to buy a licensed run-time from Microfocus. With DOS
based MF systems there are ways of building applications that do not
require run-time fees, but .GNT and XM and not within that.

> * What is the purpose of the IDX file -- some kind of index into the
> main data file?

Yes.

> * Are the data files parseable without knowing the record definitions?

No. Not generally anyway. You may be able to work out what many data
items are from knowing the data values and seeing where they are in
the record.

> I tried a tool from Siber which did a so-so job of displaying the
> data. I'm sure there's some rules to doing it, but I surely don't know
> them.

That may be as good as it gets.

> * Is there a tutorial online where I can learn how to read data
> properly out of these files? I can see some things which look familiar
> in there, but others do not (I'm using a hex text editor -- notepad++
> actually)

Stuff may be binary or packed decimal or even proprietary. If you
recognise something then it may be that, otherwise you may never know
what the data represents.

>> I agreed to take on a COBOL conversion project.

It seems that it _isn't_ a "COBOL conversion project" at all. It is a
'ground up' reimplementation of what they are doing with a packaged
solution. That would be fine if:

a) you are paid an hourly or weekly rate suitable for an analyst/
programmer (which you are obviously not).

b) there is an unlimited budget

c) there is no completion date specified.

However, if there are date and budget limits, or specified contractual
performance, then run away now.