Impacts of modifying record structures

[pablo grim]

Howdy folks,

Ok, I have a record structure called EMPLOYEE-PER that is used in about a
zillion programs.  The record structure includes "filler" fields for future
expansion.  This is handy to avoid having to recompile everything when
adding a new item to the record structure.  Simply take some bytes from the
filler and use them for the new item.  Therefore, the record length stays
the same.  I'm sure most of you have done something similar.

Well, I did this, but I'm getting the error:

*d* The screen linkage parameters don't agree with local definitions.

when I call a subscreen passing the EMPLOYEE-PER record.  This is
disappointing as it looks like I will have to recompile every subscreen that
receives this record structure as a parameter (a very significant task).  I
don't remember this happening before when using this old tried and true
technique for avoiding recompiles.  Is this something new?

Does anybody have any suggestions for modifying my record structure without
having to recompile?  All I am trying to do is add a new 2 character field
to the record.  The "filler" field that I have shortened is not a parameter
being passed to the subscreens.

VMS 7.1
PH    7.10
RMS files

thanks!

p