Distribution of mainframe data in the PC environment

Abstract

A method of distributing mainframe software and data using PC-based data media is disclosed, comprising a mainframe program for converting a mainframe sequential dataset or all or part of a mainframe library of texts or load modules to a sequential dataset of fixed length records and for reverting these converted records to its original form in the same or another mainframe data center, and procedures for downloading the converted mainframe data to a PC and uploading the PC file to a mainframe. The converted mainframe data downloaded to a PC can be delivered to another mainframe data center using floppy diskketes, recordable CD-ROM, Internet Website, TCP / IP FTP, or email attachment, as an alternative to magnetic tapes. The PC hard disk is used as a backup storage of the mainframe libraries, and a mainframe text library downloaded to a PC can be edited on a local or remote stand-alone PC.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to the distribution method of mainframe data using PC-based data media. More specifically, the invention relates to a mainframe program for allowing the file transfer of mainframe sequential datasets and libraries of texts or load modules between a mainframe computer and a PC and between two mainframe computers using floppy diskettes, recordable CD-ROM, Internet world wide web, TCP / IP FTP, and email attachment, thus providing an alternative to magnetic tape reels and tape cartridges, also allowing the PC hard disk to be used as a backup storage of the mainframe libraries, as well as for allowing a mainframe text library which is downloaded to a PC to be edited on a local or remote stand-alone PC workstation. DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART There are currently more than 21,000 mainframe data centers worldwide. More than 2 trillion dollars has been invested in mainframe software (around 150 billion lines of COBOL code alone worldwide). Mainfram...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This invention makes it possible for software text and load libraries and VSAM and DB2 datasets, which are sequential datasets of undefined record format, to be transferred to another data center. Any libraries or any sequential datasets can be transferred to another data center.

This invention helps mainframe programmers download their mainframe texts and load modules from expensive mainframe disks to cheap and high-capacity PC hard disks. This allows mainframe programmers to use PC hard disk space to store backups of their mainframe work text data and load modules. This avoids the excessive buildup of backup libraries within mainframe disks, as well as the external accumulation of magnetic tapes.

The main benefits of this invention are derived from the facts that (1) PCs are ubiquitous, and familiar to most mainframe data center users, (2) most mainframe data centers already have a file transfer facility between their PC terminals and the mainframe, (3) a PC hard disk file of the downloaded mainframe dataset can be used repeatedly, (4) copying from a PC hard disk to PC-based data media is simpler, easier, and faster than creating a mainframe magnetic tape, (5) delivery is easy and simple, (6) emerging CD-ROM, Internet, TCP / IP FTP, and email can be used, (7) PC data media can be a convenient means for the backup storage of a mainframe text library and load library, and (8) a PC, local or remote, can be used as a stand-alone working station for mainframe text editing, especially for program source codes.

Problems solved by technology

The operation costs of the distributed computing based on mini-computers are high.

More than anything else, businesses need machines with enough computative power, a need which mini-computers cannot satisfy.

First, a part or whole of a mainframe library can not be downloaded (file transfer from a mainframe to a PC) as a whole.

Therefore a mainframe library can not be delivered to other data centers using PC-based data media.

Currently, IBM does not provide the capacity to distribute a mainframe library via PC-related data media.

As a result, mainframe load modules can not be reverted to their original form when they are uploaded back to a mainframe.

A single member of a text or load library is simple to process, but the processing of a library as a whole is not simple.

However this end marker can be confused as normal hexadecimal data, and can not be handled correctly when uploaded to a mainframe.

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