Re: RPG400-L Digest V3 #258

 >> With all the RPG team is swapped with I wouldn't blame them for not
thinking of a small enhancement such as this on (if it is simple)

As I understand it is isn't - or they'd have done it already.

I told you my example was a simple one - I really don't have the time to
discuss this but I'll have one more try.  Note that the problem is to a
degree one of design or at least of designing something that will be
useful!

Consider this:  File A contains a field called X which is null capable.  A
DS is created using File A for its external definition.  You move (say)
spaces to the DS - what do you want to happen to the null flag - the field
was changed so the flag should change - is that what you want/expect to
happen?  Are you certain that all (or at least most) of the other RPGers in
the world will agree with you on that?  What about RESET or CLEAR on the DS
or to a record format for that matter.  Do those set or clear the flag?
The data changed - but was it really to a non-null value?

There are lots of similar design issues.  I've always felt that at least
some of these decisions should be simpler once you have qualified data
names in place - which with V5 we now have so ...

I shall now leave this debate alone and let Hans or Barbara chime in if
they want.


Jon Paris
Jon.Paris@e400.com

www.e400.com - A new wave of iSeries and AS/400 Education

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