What is FDChart?

FDChart is a utility to 'chart' or 'map' COBOL File Descriptions (FDs).  FDChart is available for mainframes, PCs (Windows/OS2) and UNIX platforms. 

FDChart will read a valid COBOL FD and give you the following information for each field:

    => The COBOL level number
    => The COBOL field name
    => The starting position of the field
    => The number of bytes used by the field
    => The number of digits to the left of the decimal point, if any
    => The number of digits to the right of the decimal point, if any
    => Whether a field is a group field or an elementary field
    => Whether the field is redefined
    => The number of occurrences in this field, if more than one (1). 

FDChart will also flag bytes of data that are "slack bytes" - inserted by the compiler to place "COMP SYNC" fields on a word boundary. 

FDChart may also help with your Year 2000 clean-up.   It flags all fields that contain the name 'DATE' or 'DTE', and places them in the Error-Audit Report.   Those of you working on Year 2000 will enjoy this feature.

FDChart provides ten (10) output options, including output in both DYL-280* and CA-EASYTRIEVE** format. 

If you prefer your output in DYL-280 or CA-EASYTRIEVE format, FDChart will provide:

    => The COBOL field name
    => The number of bytes used by the field
    => The starting position of the field
    => The type of field
    => The number of digits to the right of the decimal point, if any


*  DYL-280 is a registered trademark of Sterling Software, Inc. 
** CA-EASYTRIEVE is a registered trademark of Computer Associates, Inc.

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