Re: Chalk one up for "The Cycle"

[Vernon Hamberg <vhamberg@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

The fact is, as Jerry knows and others seem to have chosen to forget, 
every RPG IV program (i.e., has a main) uses the cycle - no matter 
what you think. You still always have to turn on *INLR to end the 
program - if you have only full-procedural files, or no files, the 
cycle goes once around.

All it is is, another tool. Use it where it fits. Don't become 
ignorant of good techniques that are older, just because of 
concentrating on only the so-called latest and greatest fad.

I love free-form - and I will still write a primary processing 
program where it seems appropriate.

BTW, look at chapter 3 of the "current" RPG IV manual - whadya know? 
The Program Cycle!!!

If you really don't want to use the cycle, write your code in C or 
Java - then YOU get to do all those file opens and closes and all 
that overhead that is done for you through F-specs and all. And I 
challenge anyone to do display file stuff in C - I've done it, it is 
not impossible, but it is not my idea of a good time.

JMNSHO
Vern

At 07:53 AM 4/26/2007, you wrote:

> No, because it is sometimes easier to do something with the cycle than
> against it.  Try doing matching records in a non-cycle program.  99% of
> my programs are non-cycle, but knowing the cycle can be a time saver.
> When I was teaching RPG (eons ago it seems), teaching to the cycle was
> the first step.  Today I doubt that it is even mentioned in RPG classes,
> like it's a bad thing to be avoided.  Pshaw!
>
>
>         * Jerry C. Adams
> *IBM System i5/iSeries Programmer/Analyst
> B&W Wholesale Distributors, Inc.* *
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