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

Wow, you're right, Barbara, those were 3 good (?) examples of kludge. <g>

So, at v4r5, my only choice is #1?

 D CustNumberDs         DS
 D    CustNumber

Is there any reason why you added this to kludge #1?:
 D CustNumberAlpha      S              LIKE(CustNumberDs)

CustNumberDs seems to work fine as a stand-alone "field".  I can compare it, I 
can use it as a
parameter, etc.  

Does the RPG compiler development team see any value in making this a little 
more
programmer-friendly?  I guess I wonder why the compiler does not allow data 
type to be specified
when the LIKE keyword is also specified.  I'm sure there are examples of data 
types where this
combo wouldn't make sense, but numeric and character "redefines" would be 
extremely useful, IMO.

TIA, Dan

--- Barbara Morris <bmorris@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> 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)
> 
<snip>

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