API for Changing the Field Description or Text of a field inPF

[David Abramowitz]

For a change to COLHDG or TEXT you need only use the CHGPF command specifying DDS source. As long as you do not change the format, the format identifier should remain the same,,,,,, BUT..... It is always a good idea to check. Type DSPFD and the file name, and go to the bottom of the display where you should find the Format ID. The is about 17 bytes long in hex. Make a note of it. After using the CHGPF command do the same thing. If the Format ID is the same, you need not recompile anything. Dave

[Guest.Visitor]

With SQL COMMENT ON you can change the text and/or colhdg without re compiling the DDS source.

[Guest.Visitor]

 Here are the steps: a. You need exclusive use and proper authority to the file. b. Type STRSQL c. Type this to change column headings: LABEL ON COLUMN LIB/FILE (PMSTAT IS 'THE STATUS FIELD') Important: you can have 3 column headings max and each except the last one needs to take up exactly 20 positions like above. d. Type this to change the field text: LABEL ON COLUMN LIB/FILE (PMSTAT TEXT IS 'THIS IS THE FIELD STATUS') e. Hit F3 to exit SQL f. Do a DSPFFD LIB/FILE and check results. g. Change the file DDS source so the next install of the file will preserve the same column headings and field text.

Practice this on a test file too before applying on a production file. Chris

[r_chand@hotmail.com]

We have a physical file with an unused field, we decided to use that field for our need instead of adding new field to file, so that we can avoid compiling 100's of programs uses that file. Is there any API which I can use to change the field description or text of the field in the physical file. Thanks for your help in advance.

[r_chand@hotmail.com]

Chris, Thanks. It worked in my testing, next week I am going to try in production. Thanks for detail info and step by step instructions. Onceagain thanks very much, RC