Packed decimal fields contain two digits per byte, (except for the last which has a "zone" character and the last digit). The zoned decimal fields are all digits except for the last byte. If the amount is credit, the last byte will contain the last digit as well as a "zone" to signify a credit.
If the files reside on an IBM midrange computer, (RPG), they are stored in EBCDIC format, this must be converted to ASCII for use in VFP.
The process I use to convert the files is:
1. Write an RPG program to read the file in and create a text file output, "unpacking" the packed-decimal fields, and creating a following "-" after an amount field that is a credit.
2. Then, I use third party emulation software to transfer the file from the host to an attached PC that converts it from EBCDIC to ASCII.
3. Lastly, I write a one-time VFP program to read in the text file and insert the records into the VFP DBF file. For those fields with a credit sign, I multiply the amount field by -1 to get a credit.
If you have no other resources to do this, I do this for customers on a fee-basis.
Harry