RE: Field interpreted differentlybetweenphysicalandlogical

 >> The DS is externally described and exists solely so that I can reference
the prototype fields back to the data file. 

This seems like a good idea until you encounter the kinds of problems you
are seeing!  In practice using LIKE on protos is probably not a good idea on
the whole.

The problem is basically a simple one.

Assume two fields in the file.

F1 is packed, and F2 is zoned.

Define an external DS based on this field and in that DS.F1 is packed and
DS.F2 is zoned.

Define the actual file itself on an F-spec however and _both_ File.F1 and
File.F2 will be zoned.

So if you say LIKE(DS.F2) in a prototype you just told the compiler to
define the parm as zoned.  However, try to pass File.F2 and you will get a
parm mis-match since it is a zoned field.


The cure is either to stop doing it and hard code the desired parameter
characteristics, use CONST on the prototype, or always define an external
non-qualified DS based on the file in the program so that the input field
format will match.


Jon Paris
Partner400

www.Partner400.com
www.RPGWorld.com