RE: converting string to a numeric

Actually, it would have to be a blank in positions 6 and 7, because an
asterisk in position 7 indicates a comment, except in /free where a slash is
required, and a plus indicates an SQL continuation.  Come to think of it,
position 7 is also used for level break indicators.

I'm with you on this one, Joe, I don't understand why the need for a special
section marker unless they felt the need to be consistent with /Exec.
Perhaps it makes distinguising /free from fixed easier in the event some
people like mixing the two together?  Perhaps it made the compiler code
easier to write?

Donald R. Fisher, III
Project Manager
Roomstore Furniture Company
(804) 784-7600 extension 2124
DFisher@xxxxxxxxxxxxx

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But I'll weigh in (once) on this issue: we don't like /free and /end-free
because they aren't
needed.  By simply saying that a blank in position 6 makes the spec a
free-form calculation, we wouldn't have an issue.  But the compiler team
decided it would be better for us if we had to code the bracketing
statements.  Heck if I know why.
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