Post #1
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Jordan
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Joined: May 2, 2026, 11:10 AM
Posted: Jul 21, 2026, 11:48 AM
Saw REDEFINES in a record layout. Same bytes described two different ways. When is that useful and when is it a footgun?
Thread: COBOL
REDEFINES - why would I want two names for the same memory?
Started by Jordan • user3 replies157 viewsLast activity 3 weeks ago
Post #2
1 votes
James
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Joined: May 2, 2024, 8:00 AM
Posted: Jul 21, 2026, 3:48 PM
Useful when the same file record is type A or type B depending on a code in the header. One layout redefines the other.
Footgun when people redefine numerics as character and then do math, or forget which view is "current."
Post #3
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Marty
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Posts: 58
Joined: Aug 12, 2024, 9:14 AM
Posted: Jul 22, 2026, 12:48 PM
Also common for breaking a date PIC 9(8) into YYYY MM DD fields without MOVEing.
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