A filler item is used to reserve space for future use. Later, the size of the filler item can be reduced and new items can be added in the space made available. The procedure for replacing filler items is discussed in Performing Updates.

Filler items in the remap are independent of those in the data set. When the remap is declared, new filler items can be declared, existing filler items can be omitted, and the size of filler items can be changed.

Fixed-format records can contain, at most, one filler item. Variable-format records can include one filler item in the fixed part of the record and one filler item in each variable part.

The unsigned integer following the SIZE keyword specifies the number of 8-bit characters reserved. The value of the unsigned integer must not exceed 2047. Filler items are aligned on 8-bit byte boundaries.

Filler items are aligned on byte boundaries, and they are initialized to all bits on. Regardless of the position of the filler item declaration, the filler in the record is located after all data items and group items, and before all control items.

The following diagram illustrates the syntax for a remap filler item.

<remap filler item>

── FILLER SIZE ──<unsigned integer>────────────────────────────────────┤

Example

This example illustrates the use of remap filler items.

 D DATA SET
  (
   A ALPHA(30) REQUIRED;
   B BOOLEAN;
   FILLER SIZE 50;
   RT RECORD TYPE(5);
  ),
   1:
   (
   A1 ALPHA(10);
   N1 NUMBER(5);
   FILLER SIZE 15;
  ),
   2:
   (
   A2 ALPHA(20);
   N2 NUMBER(9);
   FILLER SIZE 30;
  ),
   3:
   (
   A3 ALPHA(25);
  );
   R REMAPS D
  (
   A;
   RT;
   FILLER SIZE 25;
  ),
   1:
 (
    A1;
    N1;
   ),
   2:
 (
    N2;
    FILLER SIZE 40;
   ),
   3:
 (
    A3;
    FILLER SIZE 10;
   );