What is the limit on the number of columns we can output in a COM formatted file?
What is the limit of the total number of characters we can output in a COM formatted file?
What is the limit of the number of characters each column can contain in a COM formatted file?

I don't think there are any limits on these items, but a lot may depend on the platform on which you're running, the workspace available, and the attributes of the allocated output file.

Jan,

Yes, there are limits. And indeed they are dependent on the platform and product and release you're using.
You did not mention what you are using, so it is not possible for us to give you exact information.
The number of columns to be used may also depend on the type of output file you're creating.
For instance, for excel the limit is 256 columns.
But mostly, the limit that is reached the first is the limit on the total record length, which cannot exceed 32 KB.

Please update your profile, so we can answer you better.
Also, it would be helpful if you explain why you're asking what the limits are.

The limitations are the same for all WebFOCUS requests with additional restrictions imposed by some target types

The maximum no of columns used to be 256 pre 76 is now 1024

There may or may not be a limit on the total number of characters and number of rows
dependant on how the file is created and what it's content is.

Alpha fields had a limitation of 256 characters pre 76, the limit is now 32k
Numerics fields is dependant on format integer 11, double 25, packed 32 as output formats.

Total file size if focsort is used will be less than 2 gig if the file is created in a single pass,
however if it is created using append then the limit is whatever your file system allows
in the case of a Windows NTFS volume that is theoretically 256 terra bytes

Dependant on the intended use of the .com you create other limits outside the control
of WebFocus may come into play.

for example Excel 2003 has a limitation of 256 columns * 64k rows
where as Excel 2007 the limitations are 16k columns * 1024k rows

quote:

Yes, there are limits. And indeed they are dependent on the platform and product and release you're using.
You did not mention what you are using, so it is not possible for us to give you exact information.
The number of columns to be used may also depend on the type of output file you're creating.
For instance, for excel the limit is 256 columns.
But mostly, the limit that is reached the first is the limit on the total record length, which cannot exceed 32 KB.

Please update your profile, so we can answer you better.
Also, it would be helpful if you explain why you're asking what the limits are

A client was wondering what the limits are. We are running web focus 7.6 on UNIX. The coding is all done within FOCUS using text editor