Convert files in LISTSERV PUNCH format to regular text files.

restrictions

None.

Syntax

PMDF PUNCH PUNCH-file-spec [output-file-spec]

Command Qualifiers	Defaults
None.	None.

prompts

Parameters

PUNCH-file-spec

The name of a LISTSERV PUNCH file. Only a single file name can be specified; wildcards can not be used.

output-file-spec

The name of the output file is determined from the PUNCH /ID line in the input file. Specifying the output file name on the command line will override the PUNCH /ID line default.

Description

PUNCH is a utility which converts files stored in BITNET LISTSERV PUNCH format into regular text files. LISTSERV PUNCH format is used to store files containing records longer than 80 characters in a format that can be transmitted across BITNET (which imposes a record length limit of 80 characters on many file types).

PUNCH was originally written by Eric Thomas and adapted for use in PMDF by Ned Freed.