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Conversion Rules for Structures

When performing assignments between structures, you need to note the difference between flat and deep structures:

• Deep structures can only be assigned to each other if they are compatible. Full compatibility is not required for the following deep components, for which the specified requirements apply:

• For components that have a reference type, up casts but not down casts are permitted.

• For table-like components, it is sufficient if the row type is compatible. This means that the full compatibility needed for table categories and table keys is not required here.

• For flat structures, there are conversion rules for the following assignments between incompatible data objects:

• Conversion between flat structures

• Conversion between flat structures and single fields

In Unicode systems, the Unicode fragment view is to be taken into account.

Other versions: 7.31 | 7.40 | 7.54

Notes

• If subfield access to a structure is created and the subfield is shorter than the structure, the subfield is treated like an operand of type c and the corresponding conversion rules apply. If the subfield is exactly the same length as the structure, the subfield is treated like the structure itself.

• You can use the EXACT addition of the MOVE statement to make sure that the same assignment rules apply to both flat and deep structures.

• The conversion rules for structures are designed to prevent handleable exceptions from being raised. If a conversion is allowed, then it takes place.

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Conversion Between Flat Structures

Conversion Between Flat Structures and Single Fields

Unicode Fragment View