Re: EXTNAME questions...

Christopher (et al),

I haven't seen it mentioned, but the reason the /36 allowed the dot (.) is to 
enable group files.  Since you couldn't have files in different libraries, 
you could group them by having a prefix, a dot, and a file name.  As was 
mentioned earlier, you could have files grouped by application (AR.), or you 
could group them by production or development files (PR., DV.).  Group files 
could be backed up or restored as a set, and it sure simplified (although 
nothing compared to the AS/400) establishing a test database.  Major packages 
of the time (DMAS, MAPICS, etc.) even incorporated renaming files to 
"nn.aaaa" prior to backup to prevent usage and renamed them back to ensure 
that backup was successful.

Cheers!

Dean Asmussen
Enterprise Systems Consulting, Inc.
Fuquay-Varina, NC  USA
E-mail:  DAsmussen@aol.com

"If you haven't got anything nice to say about anybody, come sit next to me." 
-- Alice Roosevelt Longworth

In a message dated 10/29/99 11:36:34 AM Eastern Standard Time, 
rpg@cross-check.com writes:

> Actually with a S36 RPG II program you must have the OCL file statement for
>  all files, even if the object name is the same in the F spec and does not
>  contain the dot.  And no the S36 will not fail, but all S36 applications I
>  have ever seen us the dot to separate the system from the file name.  i.e.
>  AR.CUST is the customer file for Accounts Receivable.  If IBM said today,
>  You can not put a dot in an object name, all S36 applications, I have ever
>  seen, would have to have their files renamed and the ocl file statements
>  update to the new file names.  That is what I meant by the S36 environment
>  would fail.  I just wish that IBM would be more consistent on object naming
>  rules.  If the object can have a dot, all applications that reference the
>  object should be allowed to use it with the dot.  That is what bugs me.
>  
>  Christopher K. Bipes  mailto:ChrisB@Cross-Check.com
>  Sr. Programmer/Analyst    mailto:Chris_Bipes@Yahoo.com
>  CrossCheck, Inc.  http://www.cross-check.com
>  6119 State Farm Drive     Phone: 707 586-0551 x 1102
>  Rohnert Park CA  94928 Fax: 707 586-1884
>  
>  *Note to Recruiters
>  Neither I, nor anyone that I know of, is interested in any new and/or
>  exciting positions. Please do not contact me.
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