Re: Command Creation (Was: Recursive CL - Data decimal error)

[Jim Langston <jlangston@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

I believe there is a reason command creation is underutilized
on the AS/400, er, eserver, um, iseries?

I create an RPG program, very simple to compile.  14 using PDM.
I create CL program, 14 using PDM.
I create DDS, 14 using PDM.
I create command source.  14.  Remember to prompt, now what is the
   call I want to use?  And going back having to recreate commands
   months later, what program was this command supposed to call?
   No idea.  I hope they documented it in the command source
   (yeah, right, like that'll ever happen).

I think commands would be utilized a lot more if you could
actually specify the program to call inside the command source
itself, then just compile with 14.

Anyway, that's why *I* don't utilize them that much.

Regards,

Jim Langston

Message: 11
From: David.X.Kahn@gsk.com
Subject: Re: Recursive CL - Data decimal error
To: midrange-l@midrange.com
Date: Wed, 24 Oct 2001 11:17:36 +0100
Reply-To: midrange-l@midrange.com

Pete wrote:

> Write your own command, which knows the correct data types of the
> parameters and passes them accordingly. It's really very easy to
> write simple commands.

That's the stuff! Commands must be one of the most under-utilised features
of CL. I've been to many shops where they are not used at all, for no very
clearly defined reason. I've also known one quite large shop where numeric
parameters were prohibited as well, because "it is not possible to pass a
packed decimal parameter".

As well as ensuring that parameters are correctly formatted commands, with
a validity checker if necessary, can also take care of the parameter
validation thus simplifying the CPP and letting the programmer concentrate
on the function it's meant to perform.

Dave...