The REDEFINES clause can be specified for an item within the scope of (subordinate to) an area that is redefined. In the following example, WEEKLY-PAY redefines SEMI-MONTHLY-PAY (which is within the scope of REGULAR-EMPLOYEE, while REGULAR-EMPLOYEE is redefined by TEMPORARY-EMPLOYEE).
05 REGULAR-EMPLOYEE.
10 LOCATION PICTURE A(8).
10 GRADE PICTURE X(4).
10 SEMI-MONTHLY-PAY PICTURE 9999V99.
10 WEEKLY-PAY REDEFINES SEMI-MONTHLY-PAY
PICTURE 999V999.
05 TEMPORARY-EMPLOYEE REDEFINES REGULAR-EMPLOYEE.
10 LOCATION PICTURE A(8).
10 FILLER PICTURE X(6).
10 HOURLY-PAY PICTURE 99V99.
The REDEFINES clause can also be specified for an item subordinate to a redefining item, as shown for CODE-H REDEFINES HOURLY-PAY in the following example:
05 REGULAR-EMPLOYEE. 10 LOCATION PICTURE A(8). 10 GRADE PICTURE X(4). 10 SEMI-MONTHLY-PAY PICTURE 999V999. 05 TEMPORARY-EMPLOYEE REDEFINES REGULAR-EMPLOYEE. 10 LOCATION PICTURE A(8). 10 FILLER PICTURE X(6). 10 HOURLY-PAY PICTURE 99V99. 10 CODE-H REDEFINES HOURLY-PAY PICTURE 9999.
Data items within an area can be redefined without changing their lengths. For example:
05 NAME-2. 10 SALARY PICTURE XXX. 10 SO-SEC-NO PICTURE X(9). 10 MONTH PICTURE XX. 05 NAME-1 REDEFINES NAME-2. 10 WAGE PICTURE XXX. 10 EMP-NO PICTURE X(9). 10 YEAR PICTURE XX.
Data item lengths and types can also be respecified within an area. For example:
05 NAME-2. 10 SALARY PICTURE XXX. 10 SO-SEC-NO PICTURE X(9). 10 MONTH PICTURE XX. 05 NAME-1 REDEFINES NAME-2. 10 WAGE PICTURE 999V999. 10 EMP-NO PICTURE X(6). 10 YEAR PICTURE XX.
Data items can also be respecified with a length that is greater than the length of the redefined item. For example:
05 NAME-2. 10 SALARY PICTURE XXX. 10 SO-SEC-NO PICTURE X(9). 10 MONTH PICTURE XX. 05 NAME-1 REDEFINES NAME-2. 10 WAGE PICTURE 999V999. 10 EMP-NO PICTURE X(6). 10 YEAR PICTURE X(4).
This does not change the length of the redefined item NAME-2.