Is there a tool that will convert a mainframe "MODIFY FILE" procedure into a program within Developer Studio?

No, there isn't.

If MODIFY is used without CRTFORM to update data, it should work without any changes. If you're using CRTFORM, you will have to rewrite the program. I'm sure you'll be told to use MAINTAIN, but I have used HTML screens, JavaScript and MODIFY successfully together.

MODIFY does not appear to be documented very well (in the documentation, it seems to show up only in sample code), even though we all use it.

F, there is actually a modify manual, i have a copy of it, its old, but i bought it from the ibi website...and not too terribly long ago..within living memory at least...so gkata, i would recommend that you do a search for it. Its worth it. I use MODIFY all the time, but the problem i have found with it is the amount of data you're able to pass from an html screen... not huge...and that may be an IE issue, probably is, that 2k limit thing. So if you need to pass a lot of data per transaction, you would need MAINTAIN. but you're certainly encouraged to tackle translating your CRTFORMS into HTML forms. Its a very reasonable thing to do.

The modify manuals i have are:
A Guide to FOCUS Database Design by Valerie J. King, (c 1987)and A Guide to FOCUS MODIFY Internals (c 1991), also by King.
the company is Logical Data Solutions, formerly of Bethesda MD
The 1987 one is printed in fixed font which is sooo refreshing to read!!
I seem to remember that the Kings had moved to Florida, and I seem to recall buying them from her in FL. I'll see what i can find out, and repost if i can locate them and they have any books remaining. Maybe Georgina at IBI would know if IBI has any of the books. Kerry, if you have your ears on, would you ask Georgina?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: susannah,

S, thanks, I'll look for the MODIFY manual. Yes, the 2k limit is most likely the browser limitation with Form Action GET, have you tried POST, isn't that supposed to get you past the limit?

no kidding? i didn't know that...i'll give it a try next time i have an app for that.

S, here's some info:

https://forums.informationbuilders.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/...741040841#2741040841

https://forums.informationbuilders.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/...471063312#4471063312

According to Microsoft,

quote:

When using the post method, there is no theoretical limit to the amount of data that can be sent to the HTTP server. The amount of data may be constrained by the physical limits of the client computer.

When using the get method to send data to an HTTP server, the amount of data that can be sent is limited by the maximum length of a URL. In this case the URL cannot be longer than 2048 bytes.

Yup,

POST allows much more data through, it also does not show up the data in the address bar.

The GET (equivalent(ish) to using a URL) is limited by browser AND by IIS. For IE the GET limit is something like 1874 bytes!