Re: *SRVPGM vs. dynamically CALLed *PGM from ILE COBOL...

[Buck <kc2hiz@xxxxxxxxx>]

> Could someone point me to a document or manual where I can get a quick 
> understanding of the advantages and disadvantages for using and accessing 
> modules and service programs vs. separately compiled *PGM objects from ILE 
> COBOL? All of them would be ILE COBOL. TIA

That's a very broad topic, perhaps best covered in a school or tutorial 
setting.  I don't personally know of any: COMMON just ended, which would 
have been a great venue for this question (and those sure to follow.)

I have a feeling that you haven't had the opportunity to try out a 
service program yet.  Like so many things, the worst part of this 
process is working up the motivation to get started in the first place.

The best sort of initial service program is a clear-cut function. 
Imagine having to write a function that takes a US format date as input 
and returns an *ISO date as its output.  One parameter and a return value.

I'd advise giving it a whirl and seeing how it goes.  Read the ILE 
Concepts book (http://www.iseries.ibm.com/infocenter) and then do the 
first service program.  Add a new function (subprocedure) to convert 
from *ISO to US format and work through the issues that arise.  Then 
read the ILE Concepts manual again.  It made more sense to me the second 
go round :-)

When you start working on it, post specific examples of what you expect, 
what you tried and what you got (probably on the Cobol list) and someone 
will be able to be more helpful than this.
  --buck