Re: CHGPF Question -- MIDRANGE-L

> > Art wrote:
> >  During the UPS strike, a customer of mine called Monday morning that he
> >  had just landed a major account.  He needed some software changes
> >  immediately.  One of the changes required adding a field to a file.
> >  Should I tell the customer that changes to the database require more
> >  care than that, turn down the business?  No.  It has to be done.  Just
> >  do it (That's a great slogan, someone should use that)
> >  
> >  Got to go with LVLCHK(*NO).  Remember to compile all programs that add
> >  or update that file.  It'll work smooth.
> >  
> >  Art (seat of my pants) Tostaine, Jr.
 
> Dean wrote:
> Those pants must be awfully tight!  ARE YOU NUTS????!!!!  How does CHGPF
> alter this over just adding the field and compiling the file (other than
> making sure you save the data)?  How does the speed difference between
> compiling the file and using CHGPF make or break taking the customer's
> business?  How much MONEY is the customer going to lose because YOU 
> missed a program that added to or updated the file?  THAT's what LVLCHK is > 
>FOR!!!
> 
> If you already know what programs add/update the file, why DON'T you know
> which ones access it at all (HINT:  DSPPGMREF to an outfile)?  If you know
> both, what the heck is the big deal with re-compiling them ALL?  Yes database
> changes require careful consideration, but simply adding a field is NOT
> rocket science!
> 
> I disagree VEHEMENTLY with using LVLCHK(*NO) under ANY circumstances.  I'll
> make the same challenge that I did with GOTO -- show me a SINGLE example
> under which it would be valid, and I'll admit my mistake (haven't gotten one
> in almost a year on GOTO yet, but you're welcome to try with LVLCHK).
>  Otherwise, I've still got a couple of customers with S/34's in their
> warehouse that they're trying to get rid of -- ITS database should suit you
> just fine...IF you can afford the electricity to run it :-).
 
Users needed a field added to the item master to track an atrribute of that 
item. They needed it ASAP (At least they thought so). I knew which programs 
updated (add/change) and which ones just used it. I did exactly what Art did. 
Recompiling all of the programs, moving to another system and installing would 
have been a huge drain on resources. Although I did recompile and install all 
of them on the following weekend.

Joe Teff
QDS
Bloomington, MN

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