Re: Service Programs & Copy Source -- RPG400-L

I personally would add them the the existing /copy source, and make a
new/additional signature in the service program with the binder language so
old programs will use the old signature until recompiled.

As for your constants, etc like endpoints, other values, I used to make
them constants in source but remember if they change it will require a
recompile of everything. So instead I make "control files" with a name and
value and make a simple getControlValue() function that does a simple SQL
on the control file to get the value... like this:

endpoint = getControlValue('AMAZON_BASE_URL');

This way if anything changes it's a simple file update. I used to use data
areas before that and that turned into a headache with so many contants
that could change in the future for some functions with Google, Microsoft,
UPS, etc.

On Thu, Oct 16, 2025 at 8:49 AM Greg Wilburn <
gwilburn@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

I have a question related to the copy source associated with a service
program I have for communicating with Amazon SP-API. I've had this service
pgm for quite a while for managing merchant fulfilled orders.
I recently was asked to add the ability to get(buy) shipping labels. I
debated whether to create a standalone program vs. creating a separate
service program vs. adding a procedure or two to the existing service
program.
Because the authentication and base URLs are the same (and the new
procedure would be called from multiple programs), I decided to add it to
the existing service program.

Now, I'm wondering about the /copy source. For better/worse it contains a
lot of named constants, defined values (templates), and exported procedures
that wouldn't be necessary (or relevant) in programs that call this new
procedure.

So my question... do I just add the new prototypes to the existing service
program /copy source, OR should I create a second /copy source containing
JUST the prototypes necessary (two of them) for the other programs. Is
that "OK" to do, or is it frowned upon? I'm thinking about complexity,
conflict of named constants, procedure names (no prefix), etc.

Thoughts?
Greg
[Logo]<https://www.totalbizfulfillment.com/> Greg Wilburn
Director of IT
301.895.3792 ext. 1231
301.895.3895 direct
gwilburn@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:gwilburn@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
1 Corporate Dr
Grantsville, MD 21536
www.totalbizfulfillment.com<http://www.totalbizfulfillment.com>
--
This is the RPG programming on IBM i (RPG400-L) mailing list
To post a message email: RPG400-L@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
To subscribe, unsubscribe, or change list options,
visit: https://lists.midrange.com/mailman/listinfo/rpg400-l
or email: RPG400-L-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Before posting, please take a moment to review the archives
at https://archive.midrange.com/rpg400-l.

Please contact support@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx for any subscription related
questions.