Re: DELETE and reuse variables

["Booth Martin" <Booth@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

As soon as you use the phrase "generous testing" I change my point of view. 
(vbg) 

Can you insert a small routine that defines a data structure like the record
 save the values from the record to be deleted, delete the record, then move
the saved values back into the fields before the record is written?  That
would not solve any other problems but it might prevent extensive testing.  


Also, if you need to be really really sure, you might want a saved2
datastructure and save the new, unpredictable data after the delete,  and
restore the saved2 values after the Write.
 
 
 
---------------------------------------------------------
Booth Martin   http://www.MartinVT.com
Booth@MartinVT.com
---------------------------------------------------------
 
-------Original Message-------
 
From: Midrange Systems Technical Discussion
Date: Wednesday, January 29, 2003 09:18:36
To: Midrange Systems Technical Discussion
Subject: DELETE and reuse variables
 
We have a COBOL program that deletes a record, moves new values into the 
key fields and then writes a new record. The expectation was that the old
field values from the deleted recortd would be retained and the
new record would be the same data, but with new key values.

We are seeing some records where the field values from the deleted record
are not retained. Not totally sure the COBOL program in question is the
cause, but I thought I remembered the famous IBM phrase 'results may be
unpredictable' regarding variables from deleted records. The program
would require generous unit, system, and regression testing - along with
similar management signoffs - so I thought I would get some feedback
first.

Comments?


Dan Rasch - because if the human species concentrated on the really 
important things in life, there would be a shortage of fishing poles!
IBM Certified twice....... but still a couple PTFs away from Nirvana.