RE: Defining a function key...

["Richard B Baird" <rbaird@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Bob,

Not widely used in new code since '83?  do you have your dates whacked?

I've been coding on 34,36,38,400 since 82.  I've seen Kx used at least as
often as CA02(03), and I rarely run across any home grown code that uses
the aid byte.  I'll admit that I haven't worked a lot with 3rd party
packages, but I've seen my share of code in the past 19 years and I haven't
noticed one method dominating any other.

I didn't even know of the aid byte until I read about it in news/400
somewhere around the late 80's - early 90's.

I don't have a problem with the aid byte technique per se, I have the
copybook in my toolbox, and have used it on a rather inconsistant basis for
years, but I just find it incredible that *ink would be confusing for more
than about 30 seconds to anyone who first encountered it.

btw, remember the old 24 key cardboard templates we used to place over our
function keys on 5250 terminals?  mine always had a little a, b, c, thru y
written on it next to the appropriate keys... :)

rick
----original message----
Richard,
> What I really can't understand is the comment that *inkx is obscure.
> Kx indicators have been a solid and reliable part of IBM operating
systems
> (3, 32, 34, 36, 38, 400) for oh, say, 40 years now?  Obscure?

True enough, however they also haven't been widely used in new code
since 1983.