Re: external *PRTF (was: RE: 'ILE RPG' or 'RPG IV' . What's the diffe rence!!!) -- RPG400-L



I started using RLU back in 1993 (I think), I didn't know anything at all about
external printer files at the time (migrated from S/36 to AS/400). Midrange
Computing puplished a "Cheat Sheet" (if you will), for the commands and "how to
use RLU".  It was pretty easy (especially for a dummy like me) to follow.   I
can create a new report layout or change a report in just minutes and they look
very nice. I probably would have been very discouraged without the cheat sheet
though.

The other week I showed a co-worker how to use RLU, (he has been programming
much longer than I) and he was very excited and impressed. I think I have him
hooked on it now.

My 2 cents worth.   : - )




|--------+------------------------------>
|        |          Phil.Conibere@tgb.to|
|        |          yota.co.uk          |
|        |                              |
|        |          04/11/2000 09:44 AM |
|        |          Please respond to   |
|        |          RPG400-L            |
|        |                              |
|--------+------------------------------>
  >--------------------------------------------------------|
  |                                                        |
  |       To:     RPG400-L@midrange.com                    |
  |       cc:     (bcc: Darlene H Bryant/Banpharm)         |
  |       Subject:     Re: external *PRTF (was: RE: 'ILE   |
  |       RPG' or 'RPG IV' . What's the          diffe     |
  |       rence!!!)                                        |
  >--------------------------------------------------------|








Interesting, I didn't think many people used RLU because it's so unfriendly.




dbryant@banpharm.com on 11/04/2000 13:47:01

Please respond to RPG400-L@midrange.com

To:   RPG400-L@midrange.com
cc:    (bcc: Phil Conibere/ISD/ToyotaGB)
bcc:  Phil Conibere/ISD/ToyotaGB

Subject:  Re: external *PRTF (was: RE: 'ILE RPG' or 'RPG IV' . What's the
      diffe    rence!!!)





Have you used RLU lately?  It is absolutely GREAT!!  O specs (ugly), might as
well be an RPG-II program.
With RLU, no worries about end positions, page overflow, line spacing or even
knowing the field lengths. With RLU, you can quickly center a field. You can use
the REFER option for RLU to get the field attributes for you. You can copy, move
and delete fields with a quick function key sequence. Even highlight fields and
underline (you can even use indicators to control the different functions
available). But most of all I love the fact that RLU will output your TODAYS
date and time, and the page number with NO RPG coding at all.   Also you can
print a "Sample" prototype report to see how your report looks on paper.
RLU is cool!!!

IMHO.....




|--------+----------------------->
|        |          "Jim"        |
|        |          <jcannon@anti|
|        |          gua.com>     |
|        |                       |
|        |          04/10/2000   |
|        |          01:36 PM     |
|        |          Please       |
|        |          respond to   |
|        |          RPG400-L     |
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  >--------------------------------------------------------|
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  |       To:     RPG400-L@midrange.com                    |
  |       cc:     (bcc: Darlene H Bryant/Banpharm)         |
  |       Subject:     Re: external *PRTF (was: RE: 'ILE   |
  |       RPG' or 'RPG IV' . What's the diffe   rence!!!)  |
  >--------------------------------------------------------|






very well said! I agree!

From:               "Bale, Dan" <DBale@lear.com>
To:                 "'RPG400-L@midrange.com'" <RPG400-L@midrange.com>
Subject:            external *PRTF (was: RE: 'ILE RPG' or 'RPG IV' . What's the
diffe
     rence!!!)
Date sent:          Mon, 10 Apr 2000 10:35:02 -0400
Send reply to:      RPG400-L@midrange.com

Really don't mean to start a holy war here <g>, but...  IMNSHO:

External printer files - BLEAAHHH!  If it's used in only one program, which
is the case for 99.95% of all printer files I've ever come across, then keep
it in the RPG source!

Granted, had IBM's braindead RLU been something closer to what RDA (by
BugBusters???) is, then I might have formed a different opinion ten years
ago.  Then again, since RDA allows you to choose between creating printer
DDS specs or RPG O-specs, who knows?  There's really not a whole lot you can
do in DDS that can't be done in RPG O-specs for _most_ printer output.

Honestly, though, it really isn't an "ease of design / development" issue
with me.  For me, it's an "ease of maintenance" issue, since I do much more
maintenance than new development.
Internal: One source member. External: Two source members.
Internal: No confusing where the printer file source is; it's right there.
External: Ever been in a JBA shop? 'nuf said.
Internal: One edit session, one compile.  External: Two edit sessions, two
compiles.
Internal: When RPG compile error occurs, you just need to look for errors in
the RPG source.  External:  When RPG compile error occurs, you need to check
the RPG compile listing, oops - not there, now go check the printer file
DDS, make corrections, recompile DDS, recompile RPG.

All that said, I always follow the shop standards.  I can do printer specs
either way.

Jon, please indicate why you think "it is just better and safer to describe
these things externally."

- Dan Bale

> -----Original Message-----
> From:   Jon.Paris@halinfo.it [SMTP:Jon.Paris@halinfo.it]
> Sent:   Saturday, April 08, 2000 9:08 AM
> To:     RPG400-L@midrange.com
> Subject:     Re: 'ILE RPG' or 'RPG IV' . What's the difference!!!
>
> PS. I don't think printer files have _anything_ to do with using them in
> multiple places any more that display files do - it is just better and
> safer to
> describe these things externally.
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