Prototype Field References

I am looking for some advice concerning the use of prototypes and the
actual parameter passed via a sub-procedure:

        *       Our application uses an external dictionary, and only in
exceptional circumstances do we ever hard-code an attribute.
        *       A sub-procedure is actually a copy-book. I haven't
worked out how to define the prototype parameter as a reference to an
external data dictionary. Therefore, the field definition is whatever is
hard-coded in the parameter declaration. Is this correct, or is there
another way?
        *       A program which requires the prototype needs to make
sure that the parameter passed to the procedure matches the attributes
declared in the prototype. If the prototype definition changes then it
seems extremely difficult to manage the amendment of all the programs
which use the prototype/procedure.
        *       Because the prototype is a source file and not an
object, the D-spec declaration cannot reference the prototype
declaration and because the prototype is a source file, it cannot share
a common definition reference.

In essence, there seems to be a huge maintenance issue here.

Am I right with this assessment?

Any comments?
    
Thanks In Advance

Mike Pantzopoulos

EIG-Ansvar Limited
Tel  : 61 (3) 9614 3535
Fax: 61 (3) 9614 2740


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