RE: RPG - conversion vs re-write

[Bob Cozzi <BobCozzi@xxxxxxx>]

Hans,

> Bob:  There's nothing wrong with the implementation of null-capable
> fields in RPG.  I have my concerns about the design, but the
> implementation is just fine!

Well, yes, the design, but don't you guy usually design it and write it? 
Then if it's accepted that's the way it is?

Anyway, I agree, I'm talking about the design.

But it seems like the whole idea of NULL is difference from things like C.
For example, if a pointer is NULL, it is set to X'00' isn't it? I thought 
that was how C did it. This happens to be the value of the pointer 
variable, is it also the attribute?

Sometime this dictionary definition of a word and the practical use of the 
word are often two different things. Take the *OMIT and *NULL use on 
parameters.  Why do we have to pass *OMIT, and then actually do an

IF myParm = *NULL

This is very confusing to me. I'm sure there's a reason, but wouldn't it 
have made it more clear to the end-programmer to have been written as

  CALLP   MyProc(value1, value2,  3 + 4,  *NULL, value5)

Then do the IF myParm = *NULL?  I would have liked that 1 million time 
more.  I avoid things like this because it's so unclear that maintenance 
programmers may not easily identify with it. (and that includes me.)

I guess you really said what is bothering me more than each of these little 
subtle issues in RPG IV.  It the point that stuff isn't ever finished. It's 
always "almost the way we wanted it" or "we're looking at doing that in a 
future release."  Since the biggest thorn in RPG's side seems to have moved 
on with his life, there really isn't any distractions or subversive 
actions. Maybe we can start fresh with V4R2?


Bob Cozzi
Bob@RPGIV.COM
www.rpgiv.com
AS/400 Books:  http://www.rpgiv.com/as400Books.html



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