Re: using LIKE() for data length and changing data type

[Dan <dbcerpg@xxxxxxxxx>]

Assuming mydbfld is 8,0 packed, in your example, Myfld will also be 8,0 packed. 
 I want Myfld to
be an 8 byte character data type.  I envisioned being able to do something like:

 D p_glDate        s               a   LIKE( JAGLDT ) 

or maybe even 

 D p_glDate        s               a   %LEN( JAGLDT ) 

where JAGLDT is an 8,0 packed numeric, and I want p_glDate to be an 8-byte 
character data type. 
The reason for this is that p_glDate is a parameter passed to the program from 
a Java app on the
web, and it is my impression that the Java app cannot (easily?) pass packed 
data.  In fact, the
web app is already written, and I was rewriting the server app on the AS/400, 
but wanting to avoid
coding this:

 D p_glDate        s              8a

I have several numeric fields for which the corresponding *Entry parameter 
fields are character.

TIA, Dan

--- rob@xxxxxxxxx wrote:
> If you do a 
> D myds  Ds
> D  Myfld                   like(mydbfld)
> 
> Is Myfld packed?  If so then wouldn't myds be that length?
> 
> (Sample may not be positionally correct)
> 
> Rob Berendt
> 
> 
> 
> Dan <dbcerpg@xxxxxxxxx>
> Sent by: rpg400-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx
> 02/18/2003 03:21 PM
> Please respond to RPG programming on the AS400 / iSeries
>  
>         To:     rpg400-l@xxxxxxxxxxxx
>         cc: 
>         Fax to: 
>         Subject:        using LIKE() for data length and changing data 
> type
> 
> 
> I thought this was possible, but am getting stumble-blocked.
> 
> I want to define a stand-alone variable in RPG-IV (v4r5) that is character 
> with the same length as
> the data length of a database field that is a packed numeric.  So, if 
> field CustNumber in a file
> is defined as 8,0 packed, I want a standalone field CustNumberAlpha to be 
> defined as 8 character. 
> Without having to hardcode the 8.
> 
> A data type entry is not allowed on a D-spec when the LIKE keyword is 
> being used.
> 
> Is there a way to do this in v4r5?  If not, how about v5r2?
> 
> TIA, Dan

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