RE: What is a Modern RPG Programmer???

Let me say again:
The "use procedures" maxim implies the use of local files/variables to the extent possible.





-----Original Message-----
From: Scott Klement [mailto:midrange-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Monday, February 05, 2018 12:25 PM
To: Midrange Systems Technical Discussion <midrange-l@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: What is a Modern RPG Programmer???

"accomplishes little"? It's a step in the right direction.

There's absolutely no advantage to using subroutines instead of subprocedures. Even if you use all global variables, the subprocedure can do everything the subroutine could do, and just as easily.

And, you've taken a step. Years later, you might want/need a local variable, and since it's already a subprocedure, it can be done easily.

When you bring in a new programmer, it's easier to understand. Someone who is learning RPG for the first time will understand a call like "myRoutine()" because that's what you see in every other language.
Whereas "exsr" is ugly and intimidating at first.

The attitude of "I'm not changing anything, even if it costs me nothing, even if I lose nothing, I'm not changing anything unless I see concrete immediate benefits" is one of the biggest things that holds us back. We need to stop taking this attitude.