RE: ACCEPT and the INFDS

["Jon Paris" <Jon.Paris@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

 >> I am happy, joyous and free.  Really I am.

Welcome to the joys of standards driven languages Joe <grin>

One of the biggest problems with languages like COBOL are the huge
"implementer defined" areas.  The standard dictates that CONTROL-AREA is
available, but that is not sufficient for an iSeries shop where there is a
lot more information available about the actual file in use, etc.  COBOL
allows for those extensions, but if you want to stick in the standard, you
have to use the implementer extension areas such as ACCEPT DISPLAY.  You
can't just opt to have an addition structure "just there" like RPG does.

Of course the fact that COBOL doesn't copy a bunch of data around with every
IO is one of the reasons it tends to outperform RPG particularly in batch
type operations.

Just wait 'til you have to implement the new V5R2 RPG I/O options - I
suspect that will give you almost as much fun!  Of course some of them
(LIKEREC for example) would have made your life a lot easier a year or two
back.

Keep smiling oh joyous one!

Jon Paris
Partner400
www.Partner400.com