Conversion from 5 to 6 bytes

[ebhavins]

Hi,

I have a field called Benefit which is used in around 250 COBOL-DB2 programs.

The field is of X(5). Due to some mandate this field needs to be expanded to X(6).

Could you please let me know the best possible way to do this other than manually?

Regards,
Bhavin

[dbzTHEdinosauer]

is it only contained in a copybook?
or are there hard coded data definitions in the modules?

[ebhavins]

Hi,

It is defined inside a copybook as well as defined in the workin storage section of programs as well.

Regards,
Bhavin

[dbzTHEdinosauer]

those in working-storage section:

are all reference names BENEFIT? or are there other reference names.

what tools/utilities do you have at your site?

[ebhavins]

Hey,

There are field names with Benefit with defginition X(5). There are other fields also, but we need worry about that.

I am looking for a kind of Rexx or other utility which can broswe through the modules in a particular library and change the programs by expanding that field from 5 to 6 bytes.

Regrads,
Bhavin

[Anuj Dhawan]

Well, using File-Aid, looks like there is a way to go BUT as Dick has asked for (probably he meant the same what i'm thinking) - do you have "other reference names" and are the reference similar, in fact are they same - there can be way of doing it using File-Aid.

File-Aid can change some "character string1" to other "character string2" but then it's not intuitive , it's pretty static.

[ebhavins]

Hi,

The field is present in the working storage section as well as in some of the copybooks. This is effecting around 300 modules in Production currently.

So, we are looking for certain kind of tool which will expand all those fields from 5 to 6 bytes. I know it could be done by writing some utility program in REXX. If there other way also. Also , I am not used to REXX, so thought of knowing more.

Regards,
Bhavin

[dbzTHEdinosauer]

in addition to those fields whose reference names are BENEFIT or a derivative you need to find which/what destination fields receive the contents of the easily determined fields (names of BENEFIT or derivative) and are not so named.

examples, print fields with generic names, output fields with generic names.

there is no 'quick fix'. An exhaustive analysis needs to be made.
use of SUPERC (search function) with 2 lines before/after display is helpful in a case like this.

the fact that only 300 modules are involved makes this a minor (although tedious) task.
300 modules could be analyzed by hand within a couple of days,
then based on the results, an action plan can be formulated.

there is also problem of analyzing those modules that input files created by previous modules,
that receive generically named fields that contain the contents of a 'BENEFIT' field.
This includes any files generated for inclusion of spreed sheets (xcel files).
so, potentially there are more modules than those that just have a BENEFIT reference name.

your looking for 'a tool(s)' to accomplish this work should be based on a thorough analysis of the system, and not just a way to increase from 5 to 6 the length of fields with BENEFIT type reference names.

and just repeating your requirement without answering us:
what tools/utilities does your shop have?
leads us to believe at this point that you have done performed an inadequate analysis of the situation and have not identified what needs to be changed.
once you have accomplished that, solutions can/will be forthcoming.