RE: Why use variable length fields?

[Joe Giusto <JGiusto@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Here is the source.  I have not had time to play with filling it.  I will
trust that it actually does save space and use the concept the next time it
seems practical.

*************** Beginning of data ************************************* 
0001.00      A          R REC

0002.00      A            FLD1         100A         VARLEN(30)

0003.00      A            FLD2           1

        ****************** End of data
****************************************



-----Original Message-----
From:   James W. Kilgore [SMTP:eMail@James-W-Kilgore.com]
Sent:   Monday, July 17, 2000 7:54 PM
To:     MIDRANGE-L@midrange.com
Subject:        Re: Why use variable length fields?

Joe,

I've never used var length fields so this is of interest to me also.

Did you define the field as 100 char minimum?  Have you taken a look at
the statistical mean average of the length actually in use?

What would the actual usage be if 60% if your values could be contained
in 30 char (as a defined minimum) with a maximum of 100?

Could you create a file with 100,000 entries and show us the physical
usage under different percentages of over/under minimum length?

Could you also show us the file definition source?

TIA



+---
| This is the Midrange System Mailing List!
| To submit a new message, send your mail to MIDRANGE-L@midrange.com.
| To subscribe to this list send email to MIDRANGE-L-SUB@midrange.com.
| To unsubscribe from this list send email to MIDRANGE-L-UNSUB@midrange.com.
| Questions should be directed to the list owner/operator: david@midrange.com
+---