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

[Jim Langston <jimlangston@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

John,

You consider having to put a semi colon at the end of every line a limitation?
I can understand not having a GOTO in a free format expression being a 
limitation,
but not having to put a semi colon at the end of every line.

Now, only being able to use 6 character variable names in RPG II was a 
limitation.

Basically, what we are going to have in RPG V is a cross between RPG and C 
format.

You will be able to, in the same program, have RPG II style commands along side 
the
new C style commands.

C    MyVar   COMP    0              99

C/freeform
           If *IN99;
               Message = 'MyVar is Zero!';
               SendMessage(Message);
           EndIf
C/EndFree

C          GOTO      EndTag  

Heck, where is the limitations in that???  I just used old style RPG, new style
free format RPG and even a GOTO statement in the same program and it would 
compile
and run!  Sounds pretty limitless to me!

I am actually fairly amazed that the RPG team is able to shove so much into one 
compiler.

Regards,

Jim Langston

John Taylor wrote:
> 
> Hans,
> 
> > > On the as400network feedback forum, the point was raised in
> > > one thread and I offered our reasons for the design.  I don't
> > > like having to repeat the exact same words over and over again.
> 
> Fair enough. I've replied to you directly on the forum.
> 
> > > Language design debates can be fascinating, and on occasion
> > > have even lead to fist fights.  (Although I've only heard
> > > verbal anecdotes, not written, regarding one particularly
> > > famous meeting during the 1960's!)  I've always been amazed
> > > that the ferocity of a debate is often inversely proportional
> > > to the importance of the topic.
> 
> Importance being relative to the extent to which an individual is affected
> by the subject matter. It's easy to avoid a debate simply by dismissing it's
> importance. However, it might be timely to remind everyone involved that the
> debate is being carried on by IBM's customers. In our business, when a
> customer has a concern about something, we don't deal with it by telling
> them it's not important.
> 
> > > Quite simply, if the presence of semi-colons and the lack of
> > > GOTO in the syntax is the biggest point of debate, then I
> > > think we've got a damn good design here.
> 
> Yes, you do. And just maybe that has something to do with the discussions
> that took place on this list when it was first on the drawing board? But
> I've looked in the archives, and I don't see anything about the semicolon in
> there. Rest assured that if anything had been mentioned about it, I'd have
> hollered then.
> 
> Furthermore, it's the fact that you do have a good design that just adds to
> my frustration. What should have been a joy to use is going to become a
> constant annoyance because of these unnecessary limitations.
> 
> Regards,
> 
> John Taylor
> Canada
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