Too big Data Division causes Cobol compilation failure

[Madhur Goel]

MY structure occupies memory of 99*10000*(4+240) bytes, roughly 240Mb. Now i want to add two new fields (24 bytes) into the structure; unfortunately, this change causes the total size of the Data Division to pass the maximal size allowed by Cobol compiler, and the compilation will fail with such error message:

21718 01 WS33-BAN-LIST-SHORT-NAME .
* 16-S** ( 0)**
** Data space too large

Can any one who had faced this problem share how to handle this into code.

Thanks in advance.

[Dennis Handly]

What is the name of your compiler? Microfocus?
If your compiler supports 64 bit, you wouldn't have to worry?

You could process parts by using files.

[James R. Ferguson]

Hi:

Perhaps you have fields of numeric data that could be "packed" with an alternate "picture" declaration halving the storage requirement of those pieces.

Regards!

...JRF...

[Dennis Handly]

>JRF: Perhaps you have fields of numeric data that could be "packed" with an alternate "picture" declaration halving the storage requirement of those pieces.

I believe you are talking about USAGE, not PICTURE? USAGE DISPLAY vs COMP

[James R. Ferguson]

Hi (again):

> Dennis -> JRF: I believe you are talking about USAGE, not PICTURE? USAGE DISPLAY vs COMP

Yes, indeed I was thinking 'usage' as cited when I wrote 'picture'. Thanks.

If this is an option for Madhur, I would suggest that a re-structure of the '01' area be made to condense all DISPLAY elements into one region and all COMP ("packed") elements into another. At least on COBOL compilers I was once familiar with this eliminated "filler" nibbles for byte alignment.

Regards!

...JRF...

[Madhur Goel]

Hi,

Hi Dennis & JRK,
Thanks for your responses.

Dennis:- Compiler is Microfocus and computer is 64-bits. But i did not understand the solution suggested by you. can you please elaborate. if you can give me some example, it will be great.

JRF :- Most of the elements in structure are DISPLAY with alphanumeric value. i am not sure how to do the restructure.

I am attaching the structure for your reference. i hope it will help you.

Frankly speaking i am a novice COBOL programmer. So it is bit hard for me to understand jargons of COBOL.

[Dennis Handly]

>Compiler is Microfocus and computer is 64-bits.

Does MF COBOL allow you to create 64 bit applications?

>I did not understand the solution suggested by you. can you please elaborate.

Basically hand waving. Divide your task into parts so you don't need that large array. Process a file record by record.

>Most of the elements in structure are DISPLAY with alphanumeric value.

Right, all numeric fields are already COMP.

>I am a novice COBOL programmer.

So I have forgotten more about COBOL than you know? :-)