Those variables are used in only one place, but they are accessed more than once, since they live in a Where lambda. So it makes good sense to extract them! Or can you assure that the Where lambda is called at most once? If yes, then drop it, because in that case, LinQ is overkill. Rolf

Weeell, yes, unless your company is gobbled up by another that's stuck with IMS/DC and kicks CICS out. Been there, done that and sold the T-Shirt :(

If you want to program against an stable and never changing platform, learn COBOL and move to z/OS. Since most COBOL programmers are retired or retiring soon, you might find there a job that will keep you well fed until YOU retire. Even if you are 20 now. SCNR :)