RE: Externally-Described Field used as array name.

M. Lazarus wrote:
>
>   Will the ability to directly map a file format into a qualified
> DS be one
> of the enhancements?  Until now "EDS" using the file in question would
> automatically populate the DS when a record is read.  Is there a
> way to set
> a pointer to the file buffer instead of defining a superfluous DS?


Why would you want to do a thing like that? And make your program dependant
on the physical implementation of how a physical file is stored.
If the file had null indicators, variable length fields, date fields in 
different
formats, would you want to code for each possibility, and be prepared to
change your code if the physical implementation changed?

If you do, you might consider storing your data in a user space, which you
can access by pointer to your heart's delight! :)