Re: Procedure Problem

Jim,

Just because something is common, doesn't make it good. <g>  I think this is
pretty much a style thing, and I have to side with Alan on this one. I
dislike having to pass in the size of a variable, so I code the service
procedure accordingly.

If you want use a function call, as in Jon's example:

    Eval    NiceChar = Center(%Trim(MessyChar): %Size(NiceChar))

you're going to have to pass the size of receiving variable. To avoid this,
I just write the routine as a procedure call, so that the centering is done
within the parameter that it's passed in. For example:

    Eval    NiceChar = MessyChar
    CallP  Center( NiceChar )

In my own string library, I have both versions available, but I don't recall
ever having to use the first one.


John Taylor
Canada

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim Langston" <jlangston@conexfreight.com>
To: <RPG400-L@midrange.com>
Sent: Wednesday, December 22, 1999 15:51
Subject: Re: Procedure Problem


> Actually, passing string lengths I find is a very very common
> requirement in a lot of functions in other languages, most notably
> C.
>
> I do not think it is unreasonable for the person using the library
> function to have to pass the string length.
>
> Regards,
>
> Jim Langston
>
> Alan Campin wrote:
>
> > >> Personally I'd pass the length of the output field to the procedure
using
> > %Size.
> >
> > Would disagree with you there, Jon. I studiously avoid use of passing
the
> > length of the string, especially when writing service program. Including
> > that parm means that I am forcing the user of the function to understand
how
> > the function works instead of just calling the function. It takes some
more
> > work but I have a cleaner implementation. The whole idea as I see it in
> > building a function is to completely hide how it works. Passing the
string
> > length means I am asking the user to do part of the work or, at least,
that
> > is my opinion and we know what those are worth <g>.
>
> <SNIP>
>
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