Sources for External Data Structures

[John Carr <74711.77@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

RE:     Sources for External Data Structures
Roger Vicker, CCP wrote:
> Greetings,
>
> I would like to drum up some support for a change in how the RPG
> (III/IV/ILE) compilers handle external data structure definitions.
> Currently, you can only effectively reference a *PF or *LF. If you
> reference a *PRTF it will compile but tell you:

<SNIP>

> Please let IBM (Hans are you still following the list?) know that RPG
> <SHOULD> accept any type of externally described file and pull in the
> field definitions. I know this is not a major item but is in the same
> line as being to rename fields for an *OUTPUT only file. It would make
> some things much easier or clearer.
>
> TIA

Roger
I don't think the problem is so much that it won't recognize *PRTF files
much as it is the fact that it only sees fields defined with a type of INPUT
or BOTH in the DDS.  Try and use a Display file(Single format) as a test
 which has all three types (Input, Output, & Both) of fields and see which
ones show up.  

Personally
Before we get *PRTF's implemented in RPG, I would rather see (for 10 years 
now)  getting my externally defined data structures Initialized from the 
values from the DDS  DFT (Default value)of each field implemented!!!!

TORONTO are you listening?  IBM has been talking of pushing the business
definitions out of the language and into the data base where they belong
(Triggers, RI, ETC) However they have forced us to HARD CODE initial values
for variables(data base entities) in our programs.

And while I'm on the subject,  Why can't we "override" some of the
characteristics of variables which are defined using the LIKE keyword.
DDS lets you change Length, Type, ETC. while using the REF or REFFLD
keywords!!!  Why can't I use the LIKE keyword (referring to a Packed
Numeric) and say in this Instance I want it to be Zoned Decimal ?! ETC.
Hans???? (ya know we should be able to)

John Carr CDP
EdgeTech
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