Re: Is this the Free-Format that we asked for?

[Jim Langston <jimlangston@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

John, there is actually a reason for the semi colon.  You can continue
statements in C/Java/Pascal on as many lines as you want and the compiler
doesn't care, because it knows that the end of the statement is the ;

In RPG we can do this with the Eval statement, but we can do it because
the compiler knows if there are statements without an OP code it must be
a continuation of an Eval statement.

    If (Not %EOF) And (Continue) And
         (CusNum = ThisCus) And (CompNo = ThisComp);
        /copy something
    EndIf;

And as for the GOTO statement, I do not use it.  Ever.  Period.

Regards,

Jim Langston

John Taylor wrote:
> 
> Folks,
> 
> News/400 is hosting a feedback forum related to the new enhancements within
> the upcoming release of RPG 5. The forum is sponsored by IBM, and includes
> the participation of both Barbara, and Hans.
> 
> As most of you are aware, the biggest enhancement to the new release is the
> free-format "CF-spec" that has been discussed at length on this list. Here
> is an example, straight from an article written by George Farr, of how we
> would code the new free-format statements:
> 
> /free
> 
>     Read(n) MASTER;
>     If (not %EOF);
>       /copy something
>          For i = 0 to num;
>               x = y(i);
>          EndFor;
>     EndIf;
> 
>  /endfree;
> 
> I'd like you to take notice of the semi-colon at the end of each statement.
> According to the new rules, each program statement MUST terminate with a
> semi-colon - ala C/Java.
> 
> The only reason that Java required this at all is because it was designed to
> closely resemble C syntax, in order to facilitate adoption of the language
> by existing C programmers. Why C had it in the first place is beyond me. But
> now we're being shackled with the same superfluous baggage.
> 
> There is no shortage of free-format languages that have managed to do the
> job without requiring the programmer to type an explicit end of statement
> character. Why does RPG need one? Think about this folks. EVERY SINGLE LINE
> of code needs the new terminator. How many extra keystrokes will that amount
> to in a given day of coding? And what is it gaining you? NOTHING!
> 
> One other point that should be brought to your attention is the elimination
> of the GOTO statement from the free-format specifications. How many of you
> have code that looks like this:
> 
> P   DataOk       B
>                              PI               N
> 
>  *  Clear error conditions
> C                         Clear              GlobalErrStruct
> 
>  *  Perform an edit
> C                         If        Not SomeCondition
> C                         Eval        MsgID = 'ERR1000'
> C                         Eval        MsgData = 'MyDiagData'
> C                         Eval        CursorOnField1= *On
> C                         Goto       Proc_Error
> C                         Endif
> 
> *  Perform a bunch of other edits
> 
>    * Clean up & Exit
> C                          Return       *On
> 
>    * Errors found
> C  Proc_Error       Tag
> C                           Eval      GenErrorID = *On
> C                           CallP     SndDiagMsg( MsgID: MsgData: '*CALLER')
> C                           Return     *Off
> 
> P  DataOk            E
> 
> Granted, it's not the only way to accomplish the goal, but (IMO) it is clean
> and simple. You may choose to do it using nested IF's, or one big SELECT, or
> a handful of other ways. But the point is that you have a choice. Now, IBM
> has decided to take away one of our choices in the matter.
> 
> If any of you have an opinion with respect to either of these limitations, I
> urge you to speak up now. Once released, the chances of us getting this
> changed will be slim for the GOTO, and absolutely NONE for the statement
> terminator.
> 
> Ideally, you can participate in the feedback forum at www.as400network.com
> to share your opinions. If you can't do that, then please share them on this
> list; since we know that Hans & Barbara monitor it.
> 
> Regards,
> 
> John Taylor
> Canada
> 
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