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Status Submitted
Workspace IBM i
Categories Languages - RPG
Created by Guest
Created on Sep 17, 2026

Determine the maximum number of array elements at compile time (*MAX16M)

If I define an array like this
dcl-ds myArr qualified dim(*auto : 40000);
fld1 char(100);
fld2 char(100);
fld3 char(100);
fld4 char(100);
end-ds;

then the program compiles OK because we don't exceed the 16MB limit.

Now I have to make a change and adds the field fld5 to the array:

dcl-ds myArr qualified dim(*auto : 40000);
fld1 char(100);
fld2 char(100);
fld3 char(100);
fld4 char(100);
fld5 char(50);
end-ds;

But now this will cause a compile error because it exceeds this limit (450*40000=18000000).


I would like that it was possible to specify that I want to use the maximum amount of elements in the array within the 16MB limit. Something like this:

dcl-ds myArr qualified dim(*auto : *MAX16M);
fld1 char(100);
fld2 char(100);
fld3 char(100);
fld4 char(100);
fld5 char(50);
end-ds;

If you chose to implement the RFE "Enhance maximum variable length to 4GB"
(https://ibm-power-systems.ideas.ibm.com/ideas/IBMI-I-4547)
then it opens for other options like *MAX4G
and perhaps *MAX1G, *MAX2G etc. in case you want smaller arrays.

Idea priority Medium