The Convert Packed Field  command converts a data base  file containing
packed  or binary  fields to  a data  base  with zoned  decimal fields.
All  character  fields remain  the same.   The  data from  the original
file is then copied  using CPYF FMTOPT(*MAP).   The new file becomes  a
permanent file  on your system and  can be used for  converting from or
to packed fields.  This can be helpful when dealing with PCs.

A typical command would be:

             CVTPCKFLD   FROMFILE(ABC) TOFILE(xxx/ABC2)

The  To file  must not exist.   If  the To  file already  exists from a
previous use  of  CVTPCKFLD,  then  you should  use  CPYF  FMTOPT(*MAP)
directly.

The To file becomes  a permanent file on your system which  may be used
to  convert  either  from  packed/binary  to  zoned  or from  zoned  to
packed/binary.  Use CPYF with FMTOPT(*MAP) for each conversion.

It is not  a requirement  that the DDS  source exist  for the  FROMFILE
file.  The  TAA Tool RTVPFSRC is used  to simulate what the  DDS source
for the  FROMFILE is.   The simulated source  is copied to  a temporary
source  file in QTEMP.   The temporary source is  changed so any packed
or  binary fields  are  changed  to  zoned  decimal fields.    The  new
physical  file   is  created  from   the  temporary  source   and  CPYF
FMTOPT(*MAP) is used to map to the new file.

If  you want to retain the  source for the new  file, use CPYSRCF after
CVTPCKFLD.  The  DDS source  is in  TAATMPSRC in QTEMP  and the  member
name is the same name as the FROMFILE.

The named  member must exist  in the  From file to  use CVTPCKFLD.   If
the  member does not have  any records, CVTPCKFLD creates  the new file
and ends normally with a special completion message.

Command parameters                                    *CMD
------------------

   FROMFILE      The qualified  file  name of  the  file to  be  copied
                 from.  The  library value defaults to *LIBL.   *CURLIB
                 may also be used.

   TOFILE        The file  to be created and copied to.   The file must
                 not  exist.    If  the  file  already  exists  from  a
                 previous use of  CVTPCKFLD, then  you should use  CPYF
                 FMTOPT(*MAP) directly.

                 A  library  must be  specified  for  the  file or  the
                 special value *CURLIB.

   FROMMBR       The  member to be copied from.   The default is *FIRST
                 for the first member of the file.

                 Only a  single member  is supported.   If  you have  a
                 multiple  member   file,  you   can  copy   additional
                 members  or all  members with CPYF  FMTOPT(*MAP) after
                 using CVTPCKFLD.

Restrictions
------------

The To file must not exist.

The RTVPFSRC tool  used to  simulate the source  of the  From file  has
some restrictions.

Only a single member can be copied with CVTPCKFLD.

Prerequisites
-------------

The following TAA Tools must be on your system:

     CHKOBJ2         Check object 2
     EDTVAR          Edit variable
     RTVPFSRC        Retrieve PF source
     SNDCOMPMSG      Send completion message
     SNDESCMSG       Send escape message
     SNDSTSMSG       Send status message

Implementation
--------------

None, the tool is ready to use.

Objects used by the tool
------------------------

   Object        Type    Attribute      Src member    Src file
   ------        ----    ---------      ----------    ----------

   CVTPCKFLD     *CMD                   TAADBII       QATTCMD
   TAADBIIC      *PGM       CLP         TAADBIIC      QATTCL
   TAADBIIR      *PGM       RPG         TAADBIIR      QATTRPG