Re: Re: Long Constant Names

Alan,

When you write 'I'm not convinced about the utility of too-long names, or too 
many of
them anyway.', you introduce two interesting concepts.

First, what is too long for a variable?

This thread's context would suggest the 15-char limit is the boundary between 
what's good and what's too long. Why is 15 characters the right limit? Why not 
14? 16? Or 18 if we want a multiple of 3?

Secondly, you imply quantity may be factor.

I hadn't thought about that, but you could be right. When people say they want 
to prevent long names, they think about programs with many long names. Then, 
they start talking about a hard limit that each variable has to abide to. Yet, 
maybe
we approach this from the wrong angle. What about a rule stating that 90% of 
variables must be within the 15-char limit but the remaining 10% can be 
somewhat longer? Wouldn't it be a rule closer to human common sense?

You conclude with 'it won't matter too very much'. Well, I also have to 
maintain programs with 6-char variables, and I can tell you it takes much more 
time for me to understand these programs, compared to the others with 15-char 
variables.

Regards.

--
Antoine CONTAL



                                                                                
                                                       
                                                                                
                                                       
                                                Pour :   RPG programming on the 
AS400 / iSeries <rpg400-l@xxxxxxxxxxxx>                
                                                cc :                            
                                                       
                                                Objet :  Re: Long Constant 
Names                                                       
             Alan C                                                             
                                                       
             <steelville@xxxxxxxxxxx>                                           
                                                       
             Envoyé par :                                                       
                                                       
             rpg400-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx                                      
                                                       
                                                                                
                                                       
                                                                                
                                                       
             29/12/2004 02:05                                                   
                                                       
             Veuillez répondre à RPG                                            
                                                       
             programming on the AS400 /                                         
                                                       
             iSeries                                                            
                                                       
                                                                                
                                                       
                                                                                
                                                       




My inclinations are like this:

It is good practice to have a naming convention just to cut down the
time involved in naming things.

I'm not convinced about the utitility of too-long names, or too many of
them anyway.  Depending on what conventions are in use, and how much
they are faithfully followed, the longer the names are the more
variation is possible for finding what you're looking for, or finding
the variable you coded. It's one thing I didn't like when I did Cobol.
You can get lost trying to remember if you went top down in cateogory,
or regarded top-down categories at all,

Three-letter abbreviations like the IBM command-naming practice helps in
the mnemonics.

So my practice lines up maybe with Duane's in this, Michael's in keeping
the names not-too-long, jstevens with the 3-character practice, so I
guess I agree with just about everybody!

That said, whatever you wind up having to do on this one, it won't
matter too very much, and you'll get used to it of course! :-)

-- Alan


>it makes a difference when doing global find and change type changes.
>It cuts down on the number of false finds.
>
>in my experience constants are frequently grouped together.  all the
>codes for a status field is the classic example.  In such a case I
>think you have to have a naming convention.
>
>I find I spend a lot of time naming things.  almost to the point that
>I cant code it until I have named it.  having a naming convention that
>is reasonable simplifies that process.
>
>-Steve
>
>

--
This is the RPG programming on the AS400 / iSeries (RPG400-L) mailing list
To post a message email: RPG400-L@xxxxxxxxxxxx
To subscribe, unsubscribe, or change list options,
visit: http://lists.midrange.com/mailman/listinfo/rpg400-l
or email: RPG400-L-request@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Before posting, please take a moment to review the archives
at http://archive.midrange.com/rpg400-l.



Les informations contenues dans ce message sont confidentielles et peuvent 
constituer des informations privilegiees. Si vous n etes pas le destinataire de 
ce message, il vous est interdit de le copier, de le faire suivre, de le 
divulguer ou d en utiliser tout ou partie. Si vous avez recu ce message par 
erreur, merci de le supprimer de votre systeme, ainsi que toutes ses copies, et 
d en avertir immediatement l expediteur par message de retour.
Il est impossible de garantir que les communications par messagerie 
electronique arrivent en temps utile, sont securisees ou denuees de toute 
erreur ou virus. En consequence, l expediteur n accepte aucune responsabilite 
du fait des erreurs ou omissions qui pourraient en resulter.
--- ----------------------------------------------------- ---
The information contained in this e-mail is confidential. It may also be 
legally privileged. If you are not the addressee you may not copy, forward, 
disclose or use any part of it. If you have received this message in error, 
please delete it and all copies from your system and notify the sender 
immediately by return e-mail.
E-mail communications cannot be guaranteed to be timely secure, error or 
virus-free. The sender does not accept liability for any errors or omissions 
which arise as a result.
$!2$!