Re: Opening a Variable-Length ESDS

[MichaelQuigley@xxxxxxxxxx]

File status 39 means the attributes of the file don't match.  When you say 
it's an ESDS, I assume you're referring to an Entry Sequenced Data 
Set--a.k.a., an arrival sequence file.  I've not worked with 
variable-length files (I can't even find anything in the IBM documentation 
about it), but I know for variable-length fields you need to compile with 
CVTOPT(*VARCHAR) or a PROCESS VARCHAR option.  The part I don't understand 
is that variable-length fields are supposed to simply be declared as 
filler if CVTOPT(*VARCHAR) is not specified--it's not supposed to stop the 
program from running.  Usually file status 39 indicates a level-check 
(MCH4131).  Are you using the external definition for the file or are you 
trying to describe it in your program?

Michael Quigley
Computer Services
The Way International
www.TheWay.org

cobol400-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx wrote on 09/20/2008 01:00:03 PM:

> ----- Message from "Lora" <loravara@xxxxxxxxxxx> on Sat, 20 Sep 2008
> 05:32:55 -0600 -----
>
> To:
>
> "'COBOL Programming on the iSeries/AS400'" <cobol400-l@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
>
> Subject:
>
> [COBOL400-L] Opening a Variable-Length ESDS
>
> Hi,
>
> I have a variable length ESDS that I want to open and write to.
>
> Every time I try, I get a VSAM error code 39, which seems to be telling 
me
> that I can't open it.
>
> Any thoughts on the select and assign statements for this task?
>
> Thanks.