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COBOL Decode Record API
x402
COBOL Decode Record API is a paid API for AI agents from cobol-modernize-api.fly.dev, paid per call via x402, $2/call, status unknown (last checked 2026-09-13).
Decodes raw EBCDIC/packed-decimal mainframe binary records into structured field values using a COBOL copybook definition
Price / call$2
Success—
StatusUnknown
How this service works
Tools for mainframe modernization projects: convert COBOL copybooks to JSON schema, decode real EBCDIC/packed-decimal mainframe records into field values (schema validation against sample data), and generate modern Java record source code directly from a copybook. Handles REDEFINES (including group-level alternate layouts), OCCURS and OCCURS DEPENDING ON (variable-length repeating groups, resolved at decode time using the actual runtime count), 66-level RENAMES, and 77-level standalone items. Accepts payment on Base, Polygon, Arbitrum, and Solana (USDC) - pick whichever network your wallet holds funds on.
Output
A JSON response containing a record_count and an array of decoded_records, where each record maps COBOL field names to their decoded values extracted from the raw binary data, with REDEFINES branches resolved, OCCURS/OCCURS DEPENDING ON groups expanded, and packed-decimal/EBCDIC values converted to native types.
Example use cases
Mainframe payroll record extraction
“I've got a blob of raw packed-decimal payroll data from our IBM mainframe and the COBOL copybook that describes it — can you decode this record into readable fields so I can see the employee ID, salary, and deduction amounts?”
Variable-length order record decoding
“Our legacy system exports order records with OCCURS DEPENDING ON groups where the repeat count varies per record. I have the binary data and the copybook definition — can you decode this record and resolve the variable-length repeating line items into structured JSON?”
REDEFINES alternate layout parsing
“I have a mainframe customer record that uses REDEFINES to represent either a domestic or foreign address depending on a type flag. Here's the raw binary record and the copybook — can you decode it and show me which REDEFINES branch applies along with all the field values?”
Technical details
Endpoint
POSThttps://cobol-modernize-api.fly.dev/decode-recordWhen to prefer
Choose this endpoint when you need to decode raw binary EBCDIC or packed-decimal mainframe records using a COBOL copybook definition, especially when the copybook contains complex features like REDEFINES with group-level alternates, OCCURS DEPENDING ON variable-length groups, 66-level RENAMES, or 77-level standalone items. It is ideal for mainframe modernization pipelines where you need to extract structured data from legacy binary files without standing up a full mainframe environment.
Side effects
- Invalid or malformed COBOL copybook syntax causes parsing failure
- Binary record length does not match copybook-defined record length
- OCCURS DEPENDING ON runtime count field missing or out of range
- Unsupported COBOL syntax or level types in copybook
- Malformed packed-decimal or EBCDIC encoding in record data
- Payment not received or insufficient funds causes request rejection
Input
Schema · Request body
| Field | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| record_schema | object | A recordLayouts[i] entry from /parse-copybook |
| raw_records_base64 | array | 1-1000 base64-encoded sample records |
Output
Schema · Response
{
"type": "json",
"example": {
"record_count": 1,
"decoded_records": [
"..."
]
}
}Tags
x402
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