Comments on: what is field reference file

By: ramvishakramesh

ramvishakramesh — Tue, 29 May 2012 10:50:58 +0000

I have a query, I have a field reference file with say 10 fields and I have some files which refer to this field reference file, Is it possible to delete the field reference file now?

By: graybeard52

graybeard52 — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 01:13:32 +0000

To change the length of a field that has DDS defined, just fix the DDS and run CHGPF. You will then need to recompile any RPG programs that use the file, since you have now changed the file level.
If you use CRTPF you will lose all you data, so use CHGPF instead.

By: teandy

teandy — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 17:46:30 +0000

I don’t think you can change a field length in a file without recompiling it and the programs that use it. Even if you can, I think it would be extremely foolish, not to mention dangerous, to do so. Here is what I would do:

First make a back up of the original file.

CPYF FROMFILE(MYLIB/FILEA) TOFILE(MYLIB/FILEABAK) MBROPT(*REPLACE) CRTFILE(*YES)

Second, change the dds for FEILDA from 10 to 30 and recompile the file.

Third, copy the data from the back up back to the original file.

CPYF FROMFILE(MYLIB/FILEABAK) TOFILE(MYLIB/FILEA) MBROPT(*REPLACE) FMTOPT( *NOCHK)

Fourth, recompile the programs that use the file.

By: mohan k

mohan k — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 13:44:41 +0000

Hi Gilly,

i have one question which regards to your above explination.

For example i have created 1 physical file FILEA with 10 fields in that PF by referencing each field from field reference file(FLDREFFILE).

if i have populated the 10000 records of data to the file FILEA from production.

after moving the file to production later on if i receive a request from client saying that FIELDA length needs to be changed from 10 character to 30 character in FILEA.

in this case i can not change the field FIELDA length in FILEA, since i am referencing this field from REFFILE.

if i want to change the field length from 10 character to 30 character in FILEA with out compiling the FILEA and with out losing the data in FILEA what should i have to do.

Please suggest me.

Thanks
Mohan K.