An odd structure (?)

[SCHENCK_DONALD <schencd%AM_LZCH%VASELL@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

>>>But for all of the below average programmers (that'd be half or more,
>>>right?) I'd like at least some structure there that is recognisable a few
>>>weeks later.  Rambo-style makes me jittery.


Rambo-style??

Compare:

CHAIN  FILE( Customer )   KEY( Id )  NR( CustomerNotFound )
IF     CustomerNotFound
         MOVE  'This Customer does not exist'  TO  ScreenErrorMsg
ENDIF

             -- OR --

        ID    CHAINCUSTF                            54
      *IN54 IFEQ *ON
            MOVE ERR,1          SCRERR
            ENDIF


Waitaminit!  Did I get the columns right???


Free-format does NOT mean that you can't align the code. In fact, a
professional programmer (see any book by Henry Ledgard for the definition of a
"professional" versus "P-sub-A") will use good style to make the code more
readable.

(I had put together a COMMON session on coding style, but left the "AS/400
world" for two years before I got a chance to deliver it. I'm hopeful for FALL
1998)

Instead, you're FORCED into a box with RPG.

Remember -- and I know YOU understand this -- a language's strength lies it its
ability to communicate between a programmer and ANOTHER PROGRAMMER.

I'm not trying to BASH RPG (although I am doing quite a job, eh? <g>), but
rather trying to point out the weaknesses of the language. Forget the religious
wars and "pride of ownership" stuff; RPG's weaknesses need improvement.

Having said that, let me repeat: ILE RPG is MUCH, MUCH, MUCH nicer than the
previous messes. I can actually look at my ILE RPG programs and read them.

IBM is moving -- albeit slowly -- in the right direction. So ... if I'm "holier
than thou" for pointing out the weaknesses in RPG, do I later get credit for
being right all along??? <VBG>

Peace,

-- Don "I'd rather be building my canoe" Schenck

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