IMS Category Interview Question: Difference Between COPY and INCLUDE Statements in IMS DB/DC Environment

When working in an IMS DB/DC environment, it is essential to understand the distinctions between COPY and INCLUDE statements:

1. COPY Statement: The COPY statement is used to copy the contents of one program or macro into another program. It is a way to reuse code and ensure consistency across multiple programs. When a COPY statement is encountered during compilation, the contents of the referenced program are inserted into the current program at the specified location.
2. INCLUDE Statement: The INCLUDE statement is used to include copybooks or macros in a program to provide definitions for data structures, constants, or other elements. This helps in modularizing the code and promoting code reusability. The INCLUDE statement does not insert the content directly into the program but rather provides a reference to the external definition.

Therefore, while the COPY statement physically inserts the contents of another program, the INCLUDE statement merely references external definitions without inserting them directly into the program.

Understanding the differences between these two statements is crucial for efficient coding and maintenance in an IMS DB/DC environment.