change size of two fields without increasing size of file

[Dennis Malen]

JR,

I have been doing this long enough not to rely on a small sampling to test 
and rely upon my hypothesis.

That's what the list is for. Since this is a large and important file I 
would find it most prudent to ask the list.

You may choose to be more cavalier. Certainly that is your prerogative. I 
chose to make sure the odds are as much in my favor as possible.

Your suggestions are noted and appreciated.

Thanks!

Dennis Malen
516.479.5912
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jean-Pierre A. Radley" <appl at jpr.com>
To: "FilePro Mailing List" <filepro-list at lists.celestial.com>
Sent: Wednesday, September 09, 2009 5:34 PM
Subject: Re: change size of two fields without increasing size of file


> Dennis Malen propounded (on Wed, Sep 09, 2009 at 12:04:36PM -0400):
> | Assume the following:
> |
> | Field 7 is 20 digits.
> | Field 86 is 6 digits.
> |
> | I want to add 5 digits to field 7 and reduce field 86 to 1 digit.
> |
> | Can I go in and change the size and let it rip? Will all the other 
> fields
> | remain intact?
>
> Dennis, do you ever try anything for yourself before asking us about it?
>
> Clone the whole file and make the change on one of the copies.
>
> Or create a test file with, say, three fields, one of length 20, another
> of length 6, and a third of any old length, populated by maybe five
> records, and see what happens.
>
> While you're at it, change the edits as well as the lengths and look at
> what ensues.
>
> It should all be quite clear when you're done.
>
> -- 
> JP
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