Re: RPGII to RPG IV

Steve,

>so we spend most of the processing time converting from flat files to
externally described files and back again.

When faced with a RPG II to RPG IV conversion where the file layouts
did not remain compatible (for example due to true date fields in the
new files), I set up bi-directional triggers.

The S36EE file trigger would keep the native version in sync in
real-time, reformating as necessary, and the native file trigger would
do the opposite, propagating changes back to the corresponding S36EE
file.  This lets either file be used during the transition period and
programs replaced and implemented gradually instead of having a mass
cut-over weekend.

If your file layouts can remain the same, the RPG II programs can
access an externally described file just fine (when properly defined
as a program described file).  Of course, as Bob pointed out that gets
more complicated when the program described file used multiple
formats.

Doug