dds validity check

Hmmmm - don't often get a chance to disagree with Al but ....

 >> This is a loaded question.  If you use the new data types, the screen
will validate them for you, but this requires you to program in ILE.

The old RPG/400 compiler supports the use of date fields which, given the
appropriate compiler directive CVTOPT(*DATETIME) will be accepted as
character fields.  The programmer is then free to manipulate them as Al
states.

 >>  Regardless of what IBM says, most people do not use ILE.

They may not use ILE, but the majority _do_ use RPG IV for all their new
development.  Well perhaps not the majority in the New York/New Jersey
areas which seem remarkably backward in this regard <grin>.  Nevertheless
at _every_ user group or conference I have presented at in the last 12
months 70% + are using RPG IV to some degree.

Using RPG/400 for new code makes about as much sense as continuing to use
S/36EE, S/38 compat - or SEU for that matter (running and ducking!)

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