Re: 2 calls to same program using different parameter lengths

I never change the signature. So I never need to recompile anything except the programs using the new procedure. Always add new procedures to the end of the binder source, and everything is fine.

Mark Murphy
Atlas Data Systems
mmurphy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx


-----Rob Berendt <rob@xxxxxxxxx> wrote: -----
To: "RPG programming on the IBM i \(AS/400 and iSeries\)" <rpg400-l@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
From: Rob Berendt <rob@xxxxxxxxx>
Date: 05/18/2017 03:04PM
Subject: Re: 2 calls to same program using different parameter lengths


Well, if you're completely comfortable changing out all your consumers of
that service program every time you change the signature on the service
program then all the more power to you.
We were getting burned by missing a program. Or having to schedule an
update for some obscure time (which made changing the service program
undesirable). After all, if you're still concerned about record format
level checks with RLA don't you find that it slows down your willingness
to add new columns to a table?
Sure, I expect to hear the argument that if I knew how to effectively use
my change management software (or had a decent analysis tool) and didn't
have my head in some dark pit of stench that I would feel absolutely
comfortable adding columns and that it's really no big deal. And the same
argument could then be applied to the service program signature situation.
I agree that neither is insurmountable but it still is something that may
be easier to address with other methods.

I sure don't want people to get bad experiences with service programs and
shy away from them.


Rob Berendt