Data structure and data decimal error

["Booth Martin" <Booth@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

 Here is the scenario: 

Non iSeries files are being transferred to an iSeries.  The file layouts
will be "exactly the same" as needed in the iSeries files.  My plan would be
to  eval the incoming data string into an externally described data
structure, thusly populating the record format.  I've done this successfully
where all the fields are defined as character.  

In this instance however there are numeric fields and L type date fields in
the iSeries record format.  If a numeric field in the non iSeries record is
not a valid number I'd expect a data decimal error.   I've been assured that
will never happen.  Hence my first question:  Is there a way to avoid the
ugly mess of a data decimal error in the highly unlikely event it does
happen?

Second question:  is there anyway that I can eval a non iSeries record into
an externally described data structure if there are  L type fields in the
data structure?
 
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Booth Martin http://www.MartinVT.com
Booth@xxxxxxxxxxxx
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