This should be easy in DB2. The statements below work in v8. If they
fail on your v7 system, you should have the PMR reopened and get an APAR:

C:\tmp> db2 create TABLE ELMT_T (CDTY_CD varchar(48))
DB20000I The SQL command completed successfully.

C:\tmp>db2 create view elem2 as select cdty_cd from elmt_t
DB20000I The SQL command completed successfully.

C:\tmp>db2 ALTER TABLE ELMT_T ALTER COLUMN CDTY_CD SET DATA TYPE VARCHAR(51)
DB20000I The SQL command completed successfully.

Jane wrote:

> Spoke to someone from IBM and I am told that if there is a view on the
> table, the table columns cannot be extended.
>
> Solution:
> -Drop the view
> -ALTER the table and Extend the varchar column.
>
> Nothing is easy in DB2 ...
>
> Thanks for everyone's input.
> -Jane