IBM iSeries COBOL increasing field sizes

[chuckw0325]

I'm new to IBM iSeries. I need to know if you can just increase the size of a field PIC X(12) to PIC X(25) or if you have to create a new field with the larger size and start using that field? I know in Unix COBOL, you had to create a new field from a filler area and use the new field. I'm not sure how it works in the IBM iSeries of COBOL. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Crox]

in a normal COBOL environment, you being the programmer, can choose the size. If it is about database fields, it is a complete different question.

In IBM environment there are extremely big sizes possible. You can just look it up in the compiler manual. Look for limitations, things like that. My manuals are a bit old, but even in the old manuals you can find sizes like 2Gb and it becomes bigger with new releases.

look for "compiler limits" in the manual of your compiler.

Good luck!

 

[mikrom]

I know in Unix COBOL, you had to create a new field from a filler area and use the new field.

please show an example what you mean