RE: List Usage (was: Seeing a file on the IFS in V3R7)

I would leave RPG400-L as is.  It has been my opinion that _anything_ AS/400
that is not RPG related should stay OFF the RPG400-L list.  

However, I would not vote for a separate list for _all_ of these, as the
traffic probably wouldn't justify it, _and_ there is a common bond here,
i.e., if you're doing DDS, you're probably also using Query, CL, SQL, etc.
The traffic on MI400-L is sooooooo light (hey, is that list still alive?  I
haven't seen anything for a few weeks now), but only a select few have any
interest in it.

Booth makes a good point, though.  Currently, some topics are beyond both
the scope of my duties and my interest on the MIDRANGE-L, such as anything
to do with SMTP, tape drives (or most hardware, for that matter), IPL
issues, PTF issues, version/release upgrade issues.  Maybe a single, new
PROGRAMMING-L list that covers programming issues not covered by any other
lists, i.e. RPG, COBOL, MI400.  I could go for that.

(Look ma!  No flames!)
- Dan Bale

Damnit Simon, you just had to, didn't you!  OK, _WHY_ is DOU/IF wrong?  None
of this, "it just is", stuff.  You, of all people, are not a man of few
words.  (New thread, please.)

- Dan Bale (Is it time to go home yet?)

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Simon Coulter [SMTP:shc@flybynight.com.au]
> Sent: Sunday, April 16, 2000 7:55 PM
> To:   RPG400-L@midrange.com
> Subject:      List Usage (was: Seeing a file on the IFS in V3R7)
> 
> 
> Hello Booth (and David),
> 
> Well COBOL has it's own list, although it's VERY quiet (Is that because
> COBOL programmers 
> are _better_ than RPG programmers and don't have to ask so many questions?
> Or just 
> 'cause no-one uses it?  Tongue firmly in cheek!).  
> 
> I'd think programming languages are sufficiently different to warrant
> separate coverage 
> -- hence the Java, MI, and COBOL lists.  REXX should also have a separate
> list if there 
> is enough activity.
> 
> Perhaps the ideal is a PROGRAMMING list for the CL, DDS, possibly REXX,
> OPNQRYF, SQL and 
> other general programming issues thus leaving MIDRANGE-L for the topics
> you suggest.  
> Even when those techniques are being used in an RPG application they are
> rarely related 
> to specific RPG issues.  A general programming list could be used to argue
> the DOU/DOW 
> issue (but not if I'm the moderator** -- and you can take that as me
> volunteering for the 
> job) and other language-independant issues.
> 
> What say you all?  Should we separate the topics or alter the function
> (and name) of the 
> RPG400 list?
> 
> I can see Midrange Dot Com taking over from the trade rags ... pity about
> the NASDAQ ... 
> the IPO for Midrange Dot Com would have been interesting :)
> 
> ** A read loop should almost always be a DOW.  The issue being currently
> argued is really 
> whether a priming read should be used or a single read in an IF test
> inside the DO.  I 
> used to be in the IF camp when I first started programming but after a
> while I started 
> thinking about the construction of the loop and the additional unnecessary
> IF test and 
> changed to the priming read.  I know there is nothing worse than a
> reformed convert but 
> those still in the DOU or extra IF camp are simply wrong.  You can mask
> that with 
> arguments about religion, style, or "it's always worked for me" but the
> fact is it's 
> wrong.  No amount of persuasion from either side will create a convert.
> You have to 
> THINK it through for yourself.  ITER and LEAVE (and the appalling LEAVESR)
> fall in to the 
> same category and I've said enough about them in the past.
> 
> Regards,
> Simon Coulter.
> 
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> //--- forwarded letter
> -------------------------------------------------------
> > X-Mailer: Lotus Notes Release 5.0a  May 4, 1999
> > Date: Sun, 16 Apr 2000 16:07:06 +0000
> > From: boothm@earth.Goddard.edu
> > To: RPG400-L@midrange.com
> > Reply-To: RPG400-L@midrange.com
> > Cc: none
> > Subject: Seeing a file on the IFS in V3R7
> 
> > 
> > No. its probably a matter of misunderstanding on my part.  I tend to
> think 
> > of the Midrange List as being more for the operations and management 
> > aspects of the AS/400.  For instance, I'd think that list was the place 
> > for  comments and questions about IBM marketing & advertising, security,
> 
> > policy, model characteristics, management and training, connectivity,
> the 
> > internet and software packages. 
> > 
> > I think of the RPG list as being more for language and database
> questions. 
> >  For instance I would consider this the right list for questions and 
> > comments about  CL, COBOL, DDS, FMTSRC, and REXX, but not Java or 
> > Code/400.
> > 
> > _______________________
> > Booth Martin
> > boothm@earth.goddard.edu
> > http://www.spy.net/~booth
> > _______________________
> 
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