RE: Scope of variables and subprocedures.

[Jon.Paris@xxxxxxxxxx]

I know we're not voting but ....... here are my comments on Barbara's list

Here are the things I think RPG IV needs to become a fully
"grown-up" language:
- scoped names within data structures so you can have subfield A in
  two different data structures

>> Please don't limit it to DS - it is equally valid for file variables (the
buffer is just a DS that I can't see!) I appreciate that this requires some kind
of F spec keyword - but that's OK.  This support should also include typedefs -
if COBOL can do it so can RPG!

- unlimited-length character variables (or at least no arbitrary
  RPG limit)

>> Yes - but I haven't hit the limit in RPG IV yet

- n-dimension arrays

>> I'd find it _way_ more valuable to be able to set the %Elem value so that
SortA and LookUp would work properly on dynamic array and MODS.
Multi-dimensional arrays are OK but I can't recall the last time I needed one.

- variable-type in prototyped parameters

>> Yes please - but it's only truly valuable if Rochester get off their bottoms
and finish the Operational descriptors support.  Not a lot of point in passing a
variable type if I can't tell what it is when I get there!

- bitwise operations for integer and character data

>> Yawn <grin>

- typed pointers with a dereference operator

>> Nice but ...... really needed for commercial apps?

AS/400 related things that ILE RPG should have:
- full null-value support

>> Agreed although 99% of RPGers don't have any idea what null value support
means or why they want it.

- access to the IFS file system

>> OK - but I doubt that this is enough by itself.  I can already do this quite
easily.  The hard part is not access - the hrd part is deciphering the data once
I have it.  Unless there were specific support for Excel, Word, CSV, BIFF5, etc.
etc. I suspect that it might cause more frustration than it cures.

- library-qualified data-areas and variable-named data-areas

>> Yes


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