RE: RPG Cycle (was Reinventing Code)

["Fisher, Don" <DRF@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

RPG is a position oriented language.  While RPGIV has removed the position
specific requirements to some extent (EVAL), we are still mostly working
with set positions for factor 1, the operation code, factor 2, result, and
the indicators.  to expand the variable names to 30 characters would require
a much wider form, making it necessary to use F20 and F19 to shift from each
part of the form.  This, in my opinion, would be a nuisance.

The only practical way to expand the variable name lengths would probably be
to use a freeform entry format like COBOL.  I seriously doubt that will ever
happen and I'm not sure I would want it.

Now, 15 character variable names are probably not outside the realm of
possibility if you dropped the "LEN" part of the form and the left hand
indicator columns.

Donald R. Fisher, III
Project Leader
Heilig-Meyers Furniture Company
(804) 784-7500 ext. 2124
Don.Fisher@HeiligMeyers.com

Is there any reason why we cant have 30 character variable names in a
future release of RPG. Why the restriction in the number of characters
for RPGIV?
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