  DCL BUFOVF buffer overflow errors? 
 The Question is:
 
I am using DCL to read a .LOG file.
Some of the records are very long.
How do I avoid the message :
"DCL-W-BUFOVF, command buffer overflow - shorten expression or command line"
when using the F$LENGTH lexical to determine the length of the record.
 
If I do not know the contents of the record, how can I sensibly shorten it?
 
 
 The Answer is:
 
  DCL buffers are 1024 characters in length, you'll want to check the
  longest record on the file -- use f$file_attributes or similar, and
  consider shortening record(s) in the file via a text editor, CONVERT,
  or other similar file alteration tool.
 
  Details on symbols and symbol processing are available in "HELP
  SYMBOL_ASSIGN Parameters" in recent OpenVMS versions.
 
