IBM Mainframe Forum

I am trying to copy one records from an input file, say FILE1, to an output file,say FILE2. the input and output files are sequentially organized and access mode is sequential too. Now my question is do I have to have the same file description of the files.

like say.



Now should the output file description be same or can vary if needed?




working on z10 record length 80.

As long as the total record size is the same, you can define either file any way you want. You can even have multiple record layouts.

Hello and welcome to the forum,

Just make sure the input data matches the input layout(s). Otherwise strange results or abends may happen.

Why not just try that?

I tried it but a SOC4 error comes up to abend the program.
So thought of just to make sure I am not wrong with that concept.

just another question... can 123.45 be put in a variable with picture

pic 999v99.
or
pic X(6).

Yes, and yes. Assuming USAGE DISPLAY, the first variable would be stored as X'F1F2F3F4F5' while the second would be stored as X'F1F2F34BF4F5'

Hello,

The s0c4 is more likely caused by referring to the fields when they are "not available" - such as when the file is not open or after a read that was not successful..

Thanks for the help.

You're welcome - does this mean the program is now working?

If yes, it will help someone later if you post the solution

d