RE: Function Opinion

So far Roy no one has discussed performance; only technique and style. 
 
What are the facts on what happens in the various scenarios? Is there a
difference in the compiled application if one has included dozens of unused
modules vs. spending the time and energy to be sure only those modules
needed are included?
 
Coding styles and standards are important of course but what worries me is
that the idea of black boxing solutions for everyday problems seems to be a
casualty in this discussion.  It would seem to me that the end game is to
provide a simple and well documented means for a shop to provide tested and
error-free solutions to everyday programming problems. It seems obvious from
the amount of interest, the variety of opinions, and the length of this
discussion that the Service Program algorithm is neither simple nor clear. 
 
Here is an instance where we really don't care about efficiency in my
opinion, we only care about effectiveness. Effectiveness includes such
things as ease of documentation, ease of training, ease of use, ability to
find existing code and reuse it, and the ease of passing on knowledge to new
staff members as they come on board.
 
(my terminology is no doubt wrong however please look past that to the issue
I am trying to get a handle on.) 
 
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Booth Martin http://www.MartinVT.com
Booth@xxxxxxxxxxxx
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-------Original Message-------
 
From: RPG programming on the AS400 / iSeries
Date: Thursday, October 16, 2003 11:25:12 AM
To: RPG programming on the AS400 / iSeries
Subject: RE: Function Opinion
 
Yes, let's debate this one intelligently. I am trying to compromise
between some people on my shop on this one. Most of those who object,
performance wise, against a big service program and/or a big /COPY of all
the prototypes for the service program are those who wouldn't use a
service program not written by them regardless.
 
Rob Berendt
--
"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."
Benjamin Franklin