Re: what is unclear about 01 02 03 -Reply -Reply

Scott Cornell wrote:
 
> The example is a bit of a "loaded dice" scenario, since, unless I missed
> something in RPGIV, 

You did (not for very long though :)

> RPG still *requires* indicator use on file I/O to
> trap exceptions like EOF or (as in your example) record not found
> (geezers and/or whippersnappers are invited to correct me on the
> point at their leisure :)) The point of the thread is "Don't use 'em
> unless they're absolutely necessary," but your example is one of the
> (thankfully dwindling number of) times when one MUST use 90 or 73
> or 22 instead of Rec_Not_Found.

Brand new bifs in V4R2 - %eof() for READx operations, %found() for chain, 
lookup and scan ops, %error(), for most file operations,
%equal for setll and lookup ops.   Now you can write any program without 
indicators.
WOOHOO!!!!

I was browsing dejanews in comp.sys.ibm.as400.misc, and came across a thread 
where someone new to the 400 asked what RPG was.  One
of the responses was the best description of the language I've ever read.

Ed Smith <nojunk.ersmith@scvnet.com> said:

<<<It's forms-oriented, in which special forms are used to define file,
data, calculations, output. There were once many forms but we try to use
only a few.

It's an indicator-based language, in which indicators (flags, bits) are
turned on or off to represent a condition. But, we try to use as few as
possible.

It's a column-sensitive language, in which certain columns are used to
name files, fields, indicators, and operations. But, we try to use the
free-form methods.

It's a fixed-logic language, in which a built-in logic cycle takes care
of opening files, reading them, and closing them. But, we prefer to
circumvent the logic cycle.

It's a language of paradox, in which we try to avoid all the things it
was designed to do for us! Cool, eh? >>>
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