Re: /FREE RPG compiler errors -- RPG400-L

Gary, may I ask one further question?  It is my opinion that Freeform, like
most forms of codewriting, can be done very well.  I might even buy into  
Good Free form is better than Good fixed format"
 
However I would like your opinion about bad free-form vs. bad fixed format. 
 
What worries me is maintenance 2 years later.  I still have nightmares over
some of the programs written where 100 indicators wasn't enough.  I am now
getting nightmares of free-form programs written by the grandchildren of
those programmers of yore.
 
 
 
---------------------------------------------------------
Booth Martin   http://www.MartinVT.com
Booth@MartinVT.com
---------------------------------------------------------
 
-------Original Message-------
 
From: RPG programming on the AS400 / iSeries
Date: Monday, February 10, 2003 12:47:02
To: RPG programming on the AS400 / iSeries
Subject: Re: /FREE RPG compiler errors
 
I'm utterly astonished at the amount of nonsensical talk about the woes
of free-format RPG. You don't need a background in calculus or physics,
or even a knack for pushing the envelope for transitioning from
fixed-format RPG to free-format RPG. I wonder, would these same
programmers who speak of free-format's
"Difficulty/Bugs/RidiculousMadeUpImaginedNegativeUsedAsAnExcuseRemark"
not be able to drive a Ford because it isn't a Chevy?
 
I've avoided this discussion for some time, but it's time to move
forward. If you can't drive the Ford, maybe you're not cut out to be a
truck driver, afterall. 
 
Sure there are bugs in free-format RPG. There are bugs in fixed-format
RPG, too. There are bugs in every corner of the system - thousands of
them. They get fixed. And, bugs that bring trees to their knees get
fixed quickly. There are many levels of bugs. Those you hit all the
time, those that occasionally bite you, and those that you never
experience. Unless an area is coming apart at the seams, the bug
argument is pointless.
 
If folks spent a fraction of the time considering reasons for using
free-format RPG that they spent on "reasons" not to, it would be obvious
that free-format is the choice. And, there are many reasons for choosing
free-format, from clarity (maintainability) to function (that's where
enhancements to RPG will be found).
 
The following is NOT an opinion: Free-format RPG is better.
 
There, now that that's settled, what else should we talk about?
 
Gary Guthrie
Senior Technical Editor, iSeries NEWS
 
 
 
"Mark A. Manske" wrote:
> 

> I have not run into any bugs myself.

> I would tend to think those that think something is

> buggy are the ones most afraid of change.

> 

> As for whole-heartedly embraced - I am the only

> one in the shop using it - the rest of the crew

> thinks it looks cool, but have not tried it yet.

> 

> I took the hill by little steps,

> first some quick code to clean up files, or

> to set fields for when projects went live that

> where too complicated to run a sql statement for.

> 

> >From there I have been intermixing /free with code

> as I see the need (some calcs especially are MUCH

> easier to read, code and understand in /free...for me,

> but then I have a background in calculus, physics, and

> a knack for pushing the envelope of my own abilities.

> It keeps this mind fresh and growing.

> 

> Good luck :)

> 

> Mark

> 

> -----Original Message-----

> From: rpg400-l-bounces@midrange.com

> [mailto:rpg400-l-bounces@midrange.com]On Behalf Of E Doc

> Sent: Monday, February 10, 2003 9:12 AM

> To: rpg400-l@midrange.com

> Subject: /FREE RPG compiler errors

> 

> Hi all

> 

> I have a situation at work where I'm trying to determine if there is a

> severe

> impact going to free-format RPG. There are a couple of issues:

> 

> 1. I have people who are very "anti" that continue to state that

> "free-format

> RPG" is buggy. I cannot get any specifics out of these folks, but it does

> make

> me wonder a bit-- has anyone on this list encountered any compiler bugs

> using

> free-format RPG?

> 

> 2. Has any shop whole-heartedly embraced using RPG Free? If so, how large

> was

> the hill you had to climb? Also, how did the staff take the news that they

> were going to use this "new" stuff.

> 

> Thanks!

> 

> -Doc