Re: A Spec?

[Booth Martin <booth@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Remember that we use columnar placement for indicating purpose.  
Originally these specs were designed for 80 or 96 column paper punch 
cards, and to be run through a card reader.  The abilities of the 
equipment were quite limited.  Column 6 was reserved to tell us what was 
going to follow in the card.

Bruce Vining wrote:
> I'm just guessing, but evidently someone in the past thought some type of 
> identifier was needed (most forms do have them when looking at RPG, Sort, 
> WSU, etc if memory serves) and 'A' was picked perhaps as a good starting 
> point.
>
> Some quick testing though shows that not only is the 'A' optional, but you 
> can just as easily use:
>
>      ?          R RECORD 
>      >            TEXT          50 
>
> which compiles just fine... So maybe 'A' is for 'Anything can go here'? 
>
> A bit more seriously (but still not answering your question) is that the 
> 'A' (or a blank) does at least give the prompter a clue as to what you're 
> trying to enter with utilities such as SEU.
>
> Bruce Vining
>
>
>
>
> "Mark Allen" <scprideandms@xxxxxxxxx> 
> Sent by: midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx
> 05/08/2007 08:00 PM
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> A Spec?
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>
> David may shoot me since this is kinda not on topic, but a student in one 
> of
> my wifes classes asked why for files (PF/LF/DSPF/PRTF) the "A' was used in
> column 6?
>
> Told them neither of us knew (never thought about it) but I'd find
> out.......
>