Using VARLEN DDS keyword

Hi,

I have been trying to use VARLEN to reduce the size of some files (with
and without variable length keyed fields), but when I make comparisons
between identical files (each containing the same number of records)
except for one having variable length fields, and the other not, using
DSPFD and checking  'Data space size in bytes' or 'Total of member
sizes' the file using variable length fields is not always smaller,
indeed it can be slightly bigger.
I have made comparisons with different number of records in the files.
 
I have coded the variable length field as follows:-

 FIELDA          25            VARLEN(4)

Any comments?

Regards
Neil                                            
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