# Defining Buffers

You can define a new buffer definition or select an existing buffer definition for modification.

Note: Do not consider any dependencies before starting these steps.

## Procedure

1. Select option 2 - Define Buffer Areas to go to the Buffer Definitions panel.
   For more information about this panel, see Buffer Definitions Panel.
2. If you want to select an existing buffer definition to modify, enter `S` in the Sel field, and then press Enter.
3. If you want to create a new buffer definition, enter `ADD` on the command line, and then press Enter. Define the following fields in the Define Fields in a Buffer panel:
   1. In the Buffer Id field, enter up to 16 characters to name the message definition.
   2. Optional: In the Maximum Size field, enter the maximum size of the buffer.
   3. In the Type field, enter the mainframe data type that the invoked application expects.
   4. In the Start field, enter the offset at which the field starts.
   5. In the Len field, enter the value to use for the length of the field.
      The length is in bytes, not decimal characters retained. Thus, a COBOL PIC S9(9) COMP retains nine characters but is four bytes in length.
   6. In the Dec field, enter (if applicable) the implied number of digits after a decimal point.
   7. In the Name field, enter up to 45 characters to name the buffer field.
   For more information about the Define Fields in a Buffer panel, see Define Fields in a Buffer Panel.
4. Enter `S` under Sel, and then press Enter to go to the Buffer Field Details panel, where you can configure the details of a buffer definition field:
   1. In the Pad Character field, enter (if applicable) the character to use for padding purposes.
   2. In the Separate Sign field, enter (if applicable) `Y` for the sign selection.
   3. In the Justify Right field, enter (if applicable) `Y`.
   4. In the Leading Sign field, enter (if applicable) `Y` for the sign selection.
   5. Enter the value to be used to fill in the field if the field is missing in the inbound message and the field required option is No. Then the initial value in the buffer field is defined in the Initial Value field.
   6. In the Initial Value Length field, enter (if applicable) the value for the length of the Initial Value field. Press Enter.
   For more information about the Buffer Field Details panel, see Buffer Field Details Panel.
5. Exit the Define Buffer Areas panels in either of the following ways:
   - Press PFK3.
   - On the command line, enter `END`, and then press Enter.
6. Review the message displayed in the upper-right corner of the Transformer Configuration panel to verify that your changes have been saved.

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