Parameter passing of data structures where API and corresponding stored procedure are different versions/releases

A method of parameter passing of data structures where an API and corresponding stored procedures are of version/release levels different from one another, the method comprising:

• receiving from a calling program, a data structure having data structure elements used for communicating data between the stored procedures and the calling program;
• parsing the data structure for a first version identifier of the data structure;
• comparing the first version identifier of the parsed data structure to a second version identifier of the stored procedures, obtaining version control information from a library, and thereafter parsing data structure elements in accordance to an indication of data structure compatibility, wherein;
• when the comparing of the first version identifier with the second version identifier indicates compatibility of a data structure between the calling program and the stored procedures, providing parsing all of the data structure elements of the data structure known to both of said calling program and said stored procedures;
• and, when the comparing of the first version identifier with the second version identifier indicates incompatibility of a data structure between the calling program and the stored procedures, providing parsing of only data structure elements of the data structure that are known to either of the calling program or the stored procedures.