Re: Same field names

[John Hall <jhall@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Almost all non-as400 databases that I see in use today use the same
field name from file to file.

A Vendor is a vendor is a vendor no matter what file it is in.  Like
Field Names are how they define their cross references.

Vendor Master File :  Vendor, Name, Address, Etc.
Invoice File       :  Vendor, Invoice#, etc
Check File         :  Bank, Check, Vendor, etc
Invoice Pay File   :  Bank, Check, Vendor, Invoice, etc

This is a problem for languages which use global scope for most/all of
their variables.  This means RPG.

If you use data structures to hold the records this is not a problem.  

If you want to be able to go in and extract the data with various tools
(excel for example) like field names allow the tools to automatically
link up the files for you.

If you always use prefixes or Data structures you will not have any
problems unless you forget to put the prefix on two files in the same
program.

John Hall 
Home Sales Co.
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