Jon;
Have you started a thread on the forum (I don't see one) to request PCML improvements or am I missing something?
I agree that a fully functional PCML definition could be extremely useful. I could see the binder using it for procedure overloading and validating, dynamic binding, programmatically examining/listing/documenting procedure interfaces, replacing copybook prototypes...
Duane Christen
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Duane Christen
Senior Software Engineer
(319) 790-7162
Duane.Christen@xxxxxxxxxx
Visit PAETEC.COM
-----Original Message-----
From: midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Jon Paris
Sent: Tuesday, August 18, 2009 8:03 PM
To: Midrange-L Midrange-l; Rpg400 Rpg400-L
Subject: PCML Enhancement requests
(X-posted to RPG400-L)
There have been a number of threads here in recent months concerning the fact that PCML is far less useful than it could be because it fails to include a number of valid native data types (such as dates).
In recent years the compiler folks have taken the initiative to generate PCML as a file - or imbedded into the program object. This offered many possibilities for tool builders and others to be able to perform a modicum of introspection against programs and procedures to discover the number and types of parameters that they required. Sadly the lack of full native data type support renders this almost useless for such purposes.
PCML is no longer just used for Java, and already supports constructs such as structures which Java does not directly support. So why continue to restrict it to data types that Java directly supports?
PCML has the potential to be so much more than simply a parameter definition mechanism for Java interfaces if only the "missing" data types were added to the PCML definition.
For some years now I've been trying to find out who in IBM "owns" the PCML definition in order to be able to request such enhancements. A friend in IBM has finally been able to track down the fact that the team that "owns" PCML accept requests for enhancements via this forum:
http://www-912.ibm.com/j_dir/JTOpen.nsf/%28$All%29?OpenView
If like me you would like to see some enhancements made to PCML then please make your voice heard on this site.
Jon Paris
www.Partner400.com
www.SystemiDeveloper.com
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