I completely disagree.
I've been doing RPG for about 30 years and I would MUCH rather have free as
opposed to fixed format. There is just so much in free that is more
intuitive. Complex calculations without needed temp variables to store
results, I/O with the key fields on the same line as opposed to searching
for the keylist to see what fields were used, etc. And embedded SQL, so
much easier than lots of reads and chains when you have to access many
linked files. I was also overjoyed when I didn't have to deal with stuff in
specific columns. Those HI/LO/EQ indicator columns for I/O results were a
pain.
I just wished embedded SQL worked like the .NET languages where a failed SQL
is an error and I don't have to remember to check the return codes to see if
it succeeded or failed. I constantly get bit by a failed but unmonitored
SQL in RPG.
-----Original Message-----
From: MIDRANGE-L <midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> On Behalf Of James
H. H. Lampert via MIDRANGE-L
Sent: Thursday, March 14, 2024 11:59 AM
To: Midrange Systems Technical Discussion <midrange-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Cc: James H. H. Lampert <jamesl@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: Visual Studio code convert to **free
On 3/14/24 8:32 AM, stefan@xxxxxxxxxx wrote:
WHAT *WHY?!?*
Why would one WANT to convert RPG source to "/free" format? It seems like an
utterly pointless exercise to me. Why make one language look like another?
What I'd like to see would be a "Convert to Traditional Format" function.
Then again, I will note that back at CSU Long Beach, I was introduced to
CDC's cockamamie free-format version of FORTRAN. And I loathed it intensely,
and avoided it entirely.
I believe that programming languages should keep their character. Which is
why when in RPG, I not only avoid "/free," but still ride The Cycle whenever
it suits the task at hand.
--
JHHL
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