Numerics PACKED, ODD format -- Always recommended?

I understand, in defining DDS, the numeric format best suited (default) to 
AS400 is 

PACKED, while Zoned requires translation into and out of Packed for every usage,
 and
an ODD number of places, whereas an Even number requires 4x as many instructions

We have almost completely til now used ZONED numeric, but in the interests of 
performance (doing things right) I would like to start using Packed Odd.  I 
wonder if anyone implements this so far as to make all numerics Packed Odd? -- 
even an 8-digit date which we previously used as Zoned 8, and all the 2-digit 
fields we have in a business database.  Are we asking for trouble?  

Of course I know we will have to use RUNQRY *NONE to see the data now, instead 
of just Display (#5) on Work with Members using PDM screen.  And I suppose 
there will be overflow warnings when these larger fields are moved to some 
smaller counterpart.  But does anyone have a view on this?

Thanks. Karen Bellecci


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