RE: A little shudder here

> From: Jon Paris
>
> 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).

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Mr. Paris.  This makes things crystal clear
for me.  I hate when I have to resort to "it works this way because".  But
the direct mapping makes perfect sense and also makes the error
understandable.

I still need to work on the COPY DD syntax, but I think I can figure it out.

Joe