RE: Field type for Array index

[Jon.Paris@xxxxxx]

 >> I should add that this is old RPG, I'm not sure if theres any reason or
benefit with RPGLE.

In "old" RPG the only binary data type available was very inefficient since
type B fields were "filtered" through packed fields whenever math
operations were performed upon them.  I'd have to run a compile to check
the MI to know if they went through double translation when used as array
indexes or if the compiler was smart enough to use them directly.  No
matter what - type B was generally a lousy choice for most anything in
RPG/400 (RPG III).

In RPG IV types I and U are real binary types and are handled correctly.
They are therefore a good choice for an array index.

 >> Although using a binary index will work slightly better, it may be
confusing to those that follow after you.

They are clearly numeric types (as witnessed by the decimal place entry) so
why on earth would they confuse anyone?  Frankly I think I would wonder why
I was employing any programmer who was confused by their use.


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