Sources for External Data Structures

Hi Roger!  Yes, I'm still reading this list.  (I was away for a few
weeks in May/June - I was able to escape and take a vacation!)

I'll add this suggestion to our list.  Just don't hold your breath
waiting for it, though - we have our hands full already with our next
release.  I don't want anyone to think that offering suggestions is a
waste of time.  At least one new function was added to our plan based
on a note posted here!  So we are listening.

Cheers!  Hans

Hans Boldt, ILE RPG Development, IBM Toronto Lab, hboldt@vnet.ibm.com

Roger Vicker, CCP wrote:
> Greetings,
>
> I would like to drum up some support for a change in how the RPG
> (III/IV/ILE) compilers handle external data structure definitions.
> Currently, you can only effectively reference a *PF or *LF. If you
> reference a *PRTF it will compile but tell you:
> 
>+----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
> :                             Additional Message
> Information                     :
> :                                                                  :
> :  Message ID . . . . . . : RNF3530       Severity . . . . . . . :
> 00              :
> :  Message type . . . . . :
> Diagnostic                                           :
> :
> :
> :  Message . . . . :   Data structure has no valid
> subfields.                      :
> :  Cause . . . . . :   The data structure does not have any valid
> subfields.       :
> :    Since a length has been specified for the data structure, the
> definition is   :
> :
> accepted.
> :
> :  Recovery  . . . :   Specify valid subfields for the data structure.
> Compile     :
> :
> again.
> :
> 
>+----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
> and it will not bring any field definitions (even if your are
> referencing them. Ex. INZ) into the program.
>
> >The EXTNAME keyword is used to specify the name of the file which contains 
>the
> >field descriptions used as the subfield description for the data structure 
>being defined.
> The v3r7 CD-ROM does not mention any restrictions on this for ILE.
>
> Please let IBM (Hans are you still following the list?) know that RPG
> <SHOULD> accept any type of externally described file and pull in the
> field definitions. I know this is not a major item but is in the same
> line as being to rename fields for an *OUTPUT only file. It would make
> some things much easier or clearer.
>
> TIA

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* This is the Midrange System Mailing List!  To submit a new message,   *
* send your mail to "MIDRANGE-L@midrange.com".  To unsubscribe from     *
* this list send email to MAJORDOMO@midrange.com and specify            *
* 'unsubscribe MIDRANGE-L' in the body of your message.  Questions      *
* should be directed to the list owner / operator: david@midrange.com   *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *