Re: What is a Modern RPG Programmer??? -- MIDRANGE-L

Consistency? I try very hard to use consistent names in my code.

For example, for almost every loop I code, I try to use Idx as the counter unless I need something very specific like idxCust or nested loops. Local variables in a procedure mean I never have to worry about stepping on globals.

Your subroutine may use only globals now, but next month???

Roger Harman
COMMON Certified Application Developer - ILE RPG on IBM i on Power

From: MIDRANGE-L <midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx> on behalf of Richard Schoen <Richard.Schoen@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, February 5, 2018 9:09 AM
To: midrange-l@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: What is a Modern RPG Programmer???

I was thinking on this one a bit and aren't sub-procedures main functions where you pass parms in and get info back.

Much like in other programming I do, I like to think of them as a black box, especially when used across applications.

If a sub-procedure for some reason uses all the global program variables and is simply being used to encapsulate some looping logic or something similar, why not use a subroutine instead ?

Just thinking out loud on this.

I don't do a ton of RPG coding any more so a few example use-cases would be good to hear about.

Regards,
Richard Schoen
Director of Document Management
e. richard.schoen@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
p. 952.486.6802
w. helpsystems.com

----------------------------------------------------------------------

message: 1
date: Mon, 5 Feb 2018 11:23:02 -0500
from: Jon Paris <jon.paris@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
subject: Re: What is a Modern RPG Programmer???

I have to agree with Rob on this.

My policy is that if you want to use a subprocedure go ahead. If you want to use a subroutine then you need to explain to me what benefits it offers and why you are convinced that it will never need parameters or a return value.

Future protection - I don't want my programmers producing future relics.

Jon Paris

www.partner400.com

Partner400 - Your partner in iSeries education
www.partner400.com
If you are looking for the very best in IBM i* Education, Consulting and Mentoring services you have come to the right place! We are dedicated to helping our ...

www.SystemiDeveloper.com

System i Developer - Home Page
www.systemideveloper.com
Modernize at the RPG & DB2 Summit. i can… you can, too! Refresh your skills at the RPG & DB2 Summit and feel the thrill of delivering innovative software solutions ...

On Feb 5, 2018, at 10:57 AM, Rob Berendt <rob@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

John Erps,

I didn't say never use a subroutine. I said that I personally went
hardcore on only using subprocedures for a year. And stated my reason.
You can see that below in the thread. Once I broke the habit of
falling back to what was easy and comfortable I used subroutines where
appropriate. I really thought I was quite clear on that.

One thing to keep in mind is to always think of the future.
What may be a subroutine in an existing program could evolve.
- First into a subprocedure
- Next moved out of the main program into a service program.
- Then someone could create a UDF from that service program
subprocedure
- That UDF could be called by SQL with stuff like Select item_number,
onhand(item_number)...
- That UDF could be imbedded into an SQL view Create view Item_user
as (select item_number, onhand(item_number)...
and thus making user queries easier.

Rob Berendt
--
IBM Certified System Administrator - IBM i 6.1 Group Dekko Dept 1600
Mail to: 2505 Dekko Drive
          Garrett, IN 46738
Ship to: Dock 108
          6928N 400E
          Kendallville, IN 46755
http://www.dekko.com

http://www.dekko.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/design-dev.png

Dekko | Innovative Leader Providing Manufacturing Solutions
www.dekko.com
Dekko is your trusted electrical solutions partner focused on power and data systems, LED lighting solutions, and electrical components and assemblies.