RE: I/O buffer size

["Jon Paris" <Jon.Paris@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

 >> Thanks Joe!  That article answered some questions I have had for along
time, regarding block sizing.

I notice that the article omits one aspect of blocking which is important to
the RPG programmer.  The BLOCK F-spec keyword.  This allows the programmer
to request blocking in cases where the RPG compiler would otherwise not use
it.  The simplest example is when a CHAIN or SETLL is being used to position
a file prior to a sequence of serial reads.  The compiler would normally not
block under these circumstances as it assumes that the CHAIN/SETLL would
cause large numbers of blocked records to be discarded.  If however you know
that you are simply using it to position the file prior to (say) filling a
subfile - you can specify BLOCK(*YES) to force the compiler to block anyway.
This can have a significant impact on the performance of this class of
program.

Jon Paris
Partner400
www.Partner400.com