RE: A little shudder here

 >>  If, however, I try the same thing in COBOL, I get an MCH3601 error
because evidently the 01-level items (one for each record format) are
evidently not initialized unless the workstation file is open.

First of all the reason why it doesn't work has nothing to do with
initialization.  It has to do with the fact that COBOL maps field
definitions directly into the I/O buffer.  This is why COBOL programs
(particularly batch) are often faster than the equivalent RPG code - no data
movement!

If you want the storage always addressable then simply code the COPY DDS in
the Working Storage section.  This is similar to using an externally
described DS in RPG (except you get all the fields).

Jon Paris
Partner400