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I *think* I understand... A prototype tells the compiler how to expect the program to be called, so that when it is compiled it only has to make one pass, instead of two. And then, the Program Interface is the declaration of how it is being used. I understand it, because it is done in PC languages extensively, such as C and Pascal. The Prototype is only needed for the compiler, if you had many callable subroutines in your source code, you would put all the Prototypes at the top, but put each program interface by each subroutine? Wait, that doesn't make since, since all D specs have to be declared at the top of code anyway! Also, I don't think it would be a good idea, if using the /COPY, to use external definitions for the prototype, since another program that /COPYes the file in may not use the same files, so won't have the definition for the variable. Am I right in all this? Since this is all new to me anyway. Regards, Jim Langston Peter Dow wrote: > Can someone please explain why the repetition between the prototype and > procedure interface? The ILE RPG manual has the following definitions: > > "A prototype is a definition of the call interface." > > "A procedure interface definition is a repeat of the prototype information > within the definition of a procedure." > > Why all the repetition? Assuming there's a reason, then I suppose IBM's > recommendation for using COPY's is a good one, although I have not used > those for years because they tended to make it difficult to find a statement > number in source code from the one given in an error message, a problem > which cropped again when I started using ILE RPG. In most cases now it is > necessary to use STRDBG to find the actual statement in the source code > given a statement# in an error message. > > Also, aren't external definitions preferable? As in: > > D* First the prototype > Dprogramname pr > DTrailer LIKE(BSXTRL) > DSCACCode LIKE(SCACCode) > D* Now the procedure interface > Dprogramname pi > DTrailer LIKE(BSXTRL) > DSCACCode LIKE(SCACCode) > > Regards, > Peter +--- | This is the RPG/400 Mailing List! | To submit a new message, send your mail to RPG400-L@midrange.com. | To subscribe to this list send email to RPG400-L-SUB@midrange.com. | To unsubscribe from this list send email to RPG400-L-UNSUB@midrange.com. | Questions should be directed to the list owner/operator: david@midrange.com +---
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