Re: iconv query

[Scott Klement <midrange-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Vern,

> I suspect the first parameter is an integer but I don't know for sure -
> it's called a conversion descriptor and in the docs has a data type of
> iconv_t, so I'd have to go to the QSYSINC/H source file to find what
> that is.

in RPG the first parameter should look like this (for those of you who 
are too lazy to search for examples)

     d iconv_t         DS                  qualified
     d                                     based(Template)
     d   return_value                10I 0
     d   cd                          10I 0 dim(12)


> Well, it turns out to be a struct - comprising 1 integer and an array of
> 12 integers. This has to be by VALUE, because C-structs are passed that way.

It's true that this API expects the structure to be passed by value. 
However, it's *not* because "C-structs are passed that way". The vast 
majority of structures I've seen used in C are passed by reference.

This one just /happens/ to be passed by value.

Just do what the API is expecting.  No need for trial and error, or 
doing things wrong just because you have some preconceived notion of how 
it should work.  Just do what it wants you to do.  It'll save you years 
of headaches.