RPG IV and pointers

[Rob Berendt <rob@xxxxxxxxx>]

I used to think that pointers were strictly used by propeller heads.  
After a few sneers from experienced RPG IV programmers I decided to 
look at the examples in the redbook regarding list API's.  I use several 
list API's.  I've always used the 'Retrieve User Space' API.  Frankly 
the pointer is a little easier to understand and much more efficient.

Tried to explain this to a coworker.  He's a pretty sharp cookie.  
Although he wouldn't use a service program - prefers to write his own 
code from scratch.  Anyways he is afraid that pointers could be used 
to trash a system - him being an old assembler programmer and all.  I 
tried to assure him that there are plenty of safeguards in the 400.  
What with user domains and mucho other stuff.  I also explained that
I've gotten strange results myself prior to pointers by doing bad
things like trying to use fields in multiple data structures, 
mismatched parameters, and so forth.  Oh well, to each their own.

Anyways I have a program that uses three user spaces to solve the 
following problem - 'Go out and UPDPGM all programs that use a certain 
service program and have the wrong signature.'  I've started using 
binder language, but I've got to fix past evils.
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