RE: CF-Spec - another call for opinions

[Colin Williams <Williamsc@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I beg to differ. Having to change source on an upgrade is a very big
deal. Thats the sort of thing that prevents people from upgrading!

>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: John Taylor [mailto:john.taylor@telusplanet.net]
>>> Sent: Wednesday, August 11, 1999 11:09 PM
>>> To: RPG400-L@midrange.com
>>> Subject: RE: CF-Spec - another call for opinions
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> > 2) Allow EVAL and CALLP to be omitted:
>>> >
>>> >       CF KeepLooping = *ON
>>> >       CF dow KeepLooping
>>> >       CF    read MasterFile
>>> >       CF    if %eof
>>> >       CF       HandleEndOfFile()
>>> >       CF    endif
>>> >       CF enddo
>>> 
>>> This would be my first choice.
>>> 
>>> > 3) Option 2 with a commitment from us that no new opcodes will
>>> >    conflict with any possible variable or procedure name.  For
>>> >    example, opcode ON-ERROR could never be confused with a var or
>>> >    proc name.  This may mean some goofy looking opcodes in the
>>> >    future.  On the other hand, since most enhancements these days
>>> >    seem to be in BIF's, this may not be too big a deal.
>>> 
>>> Don't even need that commitment. I have no problem with the 
>>> compiler issuing
>>> an error if it finds a variable declaration or procedure 
>>> name that conflicts
>>> with any current, or future "reserved" name. Even for 
>>> existing applications,
>>> it is not that big a deal to change a procedure name if you need to.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> > 1) Make EVAL and CALLP always required:
>>> >
>>> >       CF eval KeepLooping = *ON
>>> >       CF dow KeepLooping
>>> >       CF    read MasterFile
>>> >       CF    if %eof
>>> >       CF       callp HandleEndOfFile()
>>> >       CF    endif
>>> >       CF enddo
>>> >
>>> 
>>> This would be my second choice - if you REALLY have to do 
>>> it that way.
>>> 
>>> >
>>> > 4) Optional EVAL and CALLP, but use some special character to
>>> >    distinguish opcode names from var or proc names:
>>> >
>>> >       CF KeepLooping = *ON
>>> >       CF /dow KeepLooping
>>> >       CF    /read MasterFile
>>> >       CF    /if %eof
>>> >       CF       HandleEndOfFile()
>>> >       CF    /endif
>>> >       CF /enddo
>>> >
>>> >    If you don't like "/", what about some other character?
>>> 
>>> Yuck! This is the absolute worst. My fingers are getting 
>>> sore just thinking
>>> about all the additional typing.
>>> 
>>> > 5) Is there some other alternative we've missed?
>>> 
>>> Not another alternative.. just another request... any way 
>>> to drop the "CF"
>>> as well?
>>> 
>>> 
>>> BTW, thanks for allowing us to have some input into the decisions.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> John Taylor
>>> 
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