title: RPGLE Externally Described Data Structures
body: <p>I have used externally described data structures in the past to use file fields. Now when i debug the data structure is blanks. I cannot recollect if i have missed anything. Please assist.</p>
  
  <pre><code>H option(*nodebugio) cvtopt(*datetime)                           
  FEMPMSTP   IF   E           K disk    prefix(A_)                 
  D empDs         E DS                  extname(EMPMSTP) prefix(A_)
  
             dou %eof(EMPMSTP);                                    
                 read EMPMSTP;                                     
                 if %eof;                                          
                    leave;                                         
                 endif;                                            
             enddo;                                                
  
             *inlr = *on;    
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>After the read statement the empDs is to have the value of the record that was read.                                      </p>