Re: Named indicators (was DOW vs DOU)

Subject: Named indicators (was DOW vs DOU)

>> 
>> Believe the ability to define your own named indicators has been
>> announced for V4 - although it may be V4R2 - still, 1998. (Neil)
----------
>> > D  CRok           I           IND           (IND is for "logical
>> > INDicator") D* CRok = *ON = the indicator for "customer's CRedit is ok"
>> >
>> > See what I mean?  Of course that's easy to duplicate but 50 programmers
>> > will each have their own version. (Booth)
----------------
>We have been using variables for the same purpose.  Having named
>indicators would save some memory, but I'm not sure that CRok IFEQ *ON
>adds more clarity than  CRok IFEQ 'Y'
>James W. Kilgore   | Progressive Data Systems, Inc.

James;
I think you may be right.   I remember a couple of instances as examples.   One
guy I know (this is true) wrote his programs with named variables instead of
indicators BUT he named all his variables and routine names and everything else
as PARTS of SHIPS.   Routine & variable  names like Starboard, Port,  Mast,
Bulkhead, Porthole, etc.   DID NOT mean better readability.  
I worked with another guy once that named all his routine names, etc.  as
Russian General names (true story) Imagine trying to figure that code out!
But he was a C programmer so we thought it was normal.

On the other hand I have worked on RPGII code which used EVERY indicator (and I
mean Every) even U1-U8 and H1-Hx  It even moved banks of indicators (80-89) to a
save field, did a subroutine and then restored them.   WHAT A MESS!

Remember Named does not necessarly mean Understandable( to whom?)

John P. Carr  CDP
EdgeTech
74711.77@compuserve.com  804-739-7689

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