Re: Loading an array from file vs external described data structure.

First off, my 'duh' moment: when i changed from using an F-spec to an EDS
I left the chain to the file in the program. . . hello, anyone home?
It still didn't work/compile but the extra compile listing messages
obfuscated things, anyway, several resolutions -

Here was the original pgm (after weeding out chaff)

//*********************************************************************
// Program....: lmitr - original program this works
//*********************************************************************
h dftactgrp(*no) actgrp(*caller)

flmit if e k disk

d gWhse# s 2 0 inz(1)
d gProd# s 9 0

d myds ds
d custarrdata
d lcust1 overlay(custarrdata)
d lcust2 overlay(custarrdata:*next)
d lcust3 overlay(custarrdata:*next)
d lcust4 overlay(custarrdata:*next)
d lcust5 overlay(custarrdata:*next)
d lcust6 overlay(custarrdata:*next)
d lcust7 overlay(custarrdata:*next)
d lcust8 overlay(custarrdata:*next)
d lcust9 overlay(custarrdata:*next)
d lcus10 overlay(custarrdata:*next)
d custarr overlay(custarrdata)
d dim(10) like(lcust1)

/free
gProd# = 12160;
chain (gWhse#:gProd#) lmit;
*inlr = *on;
return;
/end-free

Here is what i was trying to do (that did not work even after I removed the 'chain')

//*********************************************************************
// Program....: lmitr2 - this doesn't compile
//*********************************************************************
h dftactgrp(*no) actgrp(*caller)

d lmitds e ds extname(lmit)

d myds ds
d custarrdata
d lcust1 overlay(custarrdata)
d lcust2 overlay(custarrdata:*next)
d lcust3 overlay(custarrdata:*next)
d lcust4 overlay(custarrdata:*next)
d lcust5 overlay(custarrdata:*next)
d lcust6 overlay(custarrdata:*next)
d lcust7 overlay(custarrdata:*next)
d lcust8 overlay(custarrdata:*next)
d lcust9 overlay(custarrdata:*next)
d lcus10 overlay(custarrdata:*next)
d custarr overlay(custarrdata)
d dim(10) like(lcust1)

/free
*inlr = *on;
return;
/end-free

I got Jon's idea to work

//*********************************************************************
// Program....: lmitr3 - this works
//*********************************************************************
h dftactgrp(*no) actgrp(*caller)

d lmitds e ds extname(lmit)
d custarr overlay(lmitds:62)
d dim(10) like(lcust1)

/free
clear lmitds;
lcust2 = 1234;
*inlr = *on;
return;
/end-free

I got something similar to Kevin's idea to work

//*********************************************************************
// Program....: lmitr4 - appears to work
//*********************************************************************
h dftactgrp(*no) actgrp(*caller)

d lmitds e ds extname(lmit)

d custarr s based(ptr)
d dim(10) like(lcust1)

/free
clear lmitds;
ptr = %addr(lcust1);
lcust2 = 1234;
*inlr = *on;
return;
/end-free

The likerec idea from Allan didn't seem to fly but, i really only made a
feeble stab at it as the above suited me fine

//*********************************************************************
// Program....: lmitr5 - this doesn't compile
//*********************************************************************
h dftactgrp(*no) actgrp(*caller)

d lmitds e ds extname(lmit)

d myds ds likerec(lmitr:*input)
d lcust1 overlay(myds:62)
d lcust2 overlay(myds:*next)
d lcust3 overlay(myds:*next)
d lcust4 overlay(myds:*next)
d lcust5 overlay(myds:*next)
d lcust6 overlay(myds:*next)
d lcust7 overlay(myds:*next)
d lcust8 overlay(myds:*next)
d lcust9 overlay(myds:*next)
d lcus10 overlay(myds:*next)
d custarr overlay(myds:62)
d dim(10) like(lcust1)

/free
*inlr = *on;
return;
/end-free

Oh, this is the file I was looking to load from

File Name . . . . LMIT
Library . . . . WSFILESHL
Format Descr . .
Format Name . . . LMITR
File Type . . . . PF Unique Keys - Y

Field Name FMT Start Lngth Dec Key Field Description
LPRD# S 1 9 00 K02 PRODUCT NUMBER
LCOMP S 10 2 00 K01 Whs#
LDESC A 12 50 DESCRIPTION
LCUST1 S 62 7 00 LIMITED CUSTOMER 1
LCUST2 S 69 7 00 LIMITED CUSTOMER 2
LCUST3 S 76 7 00 LIMITED CUSTOMER 3
LCUST4 S 83 7 00 LIMITED CUSTOMER 4
LCUST5 S 90 7 00 LIMITED CUSTOMER 5
LCUST6 S 97 7 00 LIMITED CUSTOMER 6
LCUST7 S 104 7 00 LIMITED CUSTOMER 7
LCUST8 S 111 7 00 LIMITED CUSTOMER 8
LCUST9 S 118 7 00 LIMITED CUSTOMER 9
LCUS10 S 125 7 00 LIMITED CUSTOMER 10

Thanks to all for help and suggestions, all very good.

John B.