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

Dan wrote:
> 
> 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?
> 

Kludge alert!

Kludge 1. (If you don't mind your database field being zoned in your
program)

D CustNumberDs         DS
D    CustNumber
D CustNumberAlpha      S              LIKE(CustNumberDs)

Kludge 2. (This is probably too kludgy.)  This works on V5R1+ but not
V4R5:

D CustNumberX         s               like(CustNumber)
D CustNumberAlpha     ds                                   
D                                1a   dim(%len(CustNumberX))

Kludge 1a.  (If you really need a standalone field rather than a data
structure)

D CustNumberX         s               like(CustNumber)
D CustNumberX2        ds                                   
D                                1a   dim(%len(CustNumberX))
D CustNumberAlpha     s               like(CustNumberX2)