Different results *like define opcode RPG/400 versus RPG/IV

["L. Maartens" <l.maartens@xxxxxxxxx>]

I have different results using the *LIKE DEFINE opcode in RPG/400 and, after
converting, in RPG/IV.

For example in program A:
- file TEST is used, which contains a field named NUMB: Zoned 8,0
- there is a datastructure where the record format of TEST is externally
described (field NUMB = Zoned 8,0)
- there is *like define opcode, where field PGNUMB is defined like field
NUMB
- program B is called


RPG/400:
-------
FBGFIATL2  UF   E           K DISK
IDSTEST    EIDSTEST
C           *LIKE     DEFN NUMB      PGNUMB

When looking at the Field references in the compiler listing, I see that:
- field NUMB is Zoned decimal 8,0
- field PGNUMB is Packed decimal 8,0



After coverting to RPG/IV:
-------------------------
FTEST      UF   E           K DISK
D DSTEST        E DS                  EXTNAME(TEST) INZ
D PGNUMB          S                   LIKE(NUMB)

When looking at the Field references in the compiler listing, I see that:
- field NUMB is Zoned decimal 8,0
- field PGNUMB is also Zoned decimal 8,0 and not packed as in RPG/400.

In program B:
PGNUMB is also defined via *LIKE DEFINE, but without datastructure DSTEST,
PGNUMB is Packed 8,0, both in RPG/400 and in RPG/IV (as RPG converts Zoned
to Packed for internal usage).

When RPG/400 program A calls RPG/400 B there is no problem.
When ILE program A calls ILE program B, I get a decimal data error on PGNUMB
as the two field formats PGNUMB differ.

Is this a known problem ? Is there maybe a PTF which solves this?



Loek Maartens
Veracity Software Consultancy BV
The Netherlands