Re: Request for CL, DDS, SQL RPG enhancements

["Simon Coulter" <shc@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hello Buck,

You wrote:
>I believe that extending CL's ability to do subroutines and handle the
newer data types would be a significant addition to my ability to write
easy scripts to install and clean up.

Use Rexx.  It supports subroutines.  It doesn't have support for the newer
data types but I'd rather see that support added to Rexx than to CL.

>Imagine the common and simple chore of checking out a dozen source files
>from production to development, compiling them and promoting the objects
>back to production, ensuring that one hasn't disturbed the security
>scheme.  Being able to access date/time, read files (pipes?) and act on
>dynamic input is crucial to this sort of task, every part of which is OS
>specific.

All of this can be done with Rexx although it does have limited built-in
file support.  That support can be added programmatically and I would like
to see IBM add full file support to Rexx before it adds additional file
support to CL.

>So, I agree that we should use the right tool for the job, and I believe
>that CL is indeed the right tool for some complex jobs.

And Rexx is better suited to complex jobs that CL simply cannot do well
because it lacks decent control constructs.

Regards,
Simon Coulter.

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