Re: File creation questions

 >> I'm not too familiar with this method since my shop doesn't use all of
the ILE techniques.

This isn't really an ILE technique.  It was added because the iSeries COBOL
compilers were not fully ANSI compliant under the revised interpretation of
the standard. i.e. If an output file doesn't exist it will be created by
opening/writing it.

The support is minimal and it is not recommended to use it for anything
other than compatibility reasons (e.g. if you want identical code to run on
multiple platforms).  The reason it is not recommended is that creating a
file on an iSeries carries a much heavier overhead than creating a file on
(say) a Unix box.  This is because all files on the iSeries are databases
and that is a little more complex to build than a simple flat or ISAM file.

The method suggested for iSeries is to create the file permanently and then
if you need it to be "emptied" on each use, run a CLRPFM from a CL prior to
the program or run the CLRPFM via QCMDEXC within the COBOL prior to opening
the file.

I believe it is possible to control the location of the created file, but I
suspect only via an OVRDBF - and if you're going to do that you might as
well do it properly.


Jon Paris
Partner400

www.Partner400.com
www.RPGWorld.com