DBCS to alphanumeric data conversion (IGZCD2A)

The Language Environment® IGZCD2A routine converts pure DBCS data to alphanumeric data that can contain double-byte characters.

IGZCD2A syntax

To use the IGZCD2A service routine, pass the following four parameters to the routine using the CALL statement:

parameter-1
The sending field for the conversion, handled as a DBCS data item.
parameter-2
The receiving field for the conversion, handled as an alphanumeric data item.
parameter-3
The number of bytes in parameter-1 to be converted.

It can be the LENGTH OF special register of parameter-1, or a 4-byte USAGE IS BINARY data item containing the number of bytes of parameter-1 to be converted.

parameter-4
The number of bytes in parameter-2 that will receive the converted data.

It can be the LENGTH OF special register of parameter-2, or a 4-byte USAGE IS BINARY data item containing the number of bytes of parameter-2 to receive the converted data. Shift codes count as 1 byte each.

Usage notes

  • You can pass parameter-1, parameter-3, and parameter-4 to the routine BY REFERENCE or BY CONTENT, but you must pass parameter-2 BY REFERENCE.
  • The compiler does not perform syntax checking on these parameters. Ensure that the parameters are correctly set and passed to the conversion routine. Otherwise, results are unpredictable.
  • When creating parameter-2 from parameter-1, IGZCD2A makes these changes:
    • Inserts shift codes around DBCS characters that do not correspond to single-byte EBCDIC characters
    • Converts DBCS characters to single-byte characters when the DBCS characters correspond to single-byte EBCDIC characters
    • Converts the DBCS space (X'4040') to a single-byte space (X'40')
  • IGZCD2A does not change the contents of parameter-1, parameter-3, or parameter-4.
  • If the converted data contains double-byte characters, shift codes are counted in the length of parameter-2.
  • The valid range for the contents of parameter-3 and for the contents of parameter-4 is 1 to 134,217,727.

Example: IGZCD2A

related references  
IGZCD2A return codes