RE: /FREE RPG compiler errors

I believe both sides of this argument are correct, however, there is a big 
difference between a line of code being readable and then it being 
understandable.    While the move command is very readable, unless you are 
familiar with the program, it may take more time to actual understand what the 
move command is accomplishing than the /free format statement.   
 
Joe, I am with you on some things, and I am with the majority on the /free 
format as well.  One thing I absolutely do not like to hear is "Don't ever use 
THAT technique or opcode in a program!".   Well, I beg to differ.  Sometimes, 
programming demands us to think outside the box and use the best method to 
accomplish what we are doing.   Also, wouldn't it be a dream come true to have 
as much time as needed to complete any project?   
 
Anyway, while I love /free format, I do miss the simple move statement.  NOT 
because it is easier to read, but it was just easier to code.    Now, they will 
go away once I further develope my skills and knowledege of the /free format.   
Pretty soon, it will be so routine, that I will feel awkward ever using a move 
statement again.  That is how it usually turns out.   Learning something new 
usually takes some time to get used to, however, once you do grow accumstomed 
to it, using the previous method seems the odd way then.
 
Regards,
 
Tracy L. Ball
Sr. Programmer/Analyst
Total Response, Inc.
 

        -----Original Message----- 
        From: rob@dekko.com [mailto:rob@dekko.com] 
        Sent: Tue 2/11/2003 9:59 AM 
        To: RPG programming on the AS400 / iSeries 
        Cc: 
        Subject: RE: /FREE RPG compiler errors
        
        

        Joe,
        
        That is only readable if you know that A is numeric, B is alpha and the
        sizes of each and all of the various other RPG rules dealing with MOVE.
        
        Rob Berendt
        --
        "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
        safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."
        Benjamin Franklin
        
        
        
        
        "Joe Pluta" <joepluta@PlutaBrothers.com>
        Sent by: rpg400-l-bounces@midrange.com
        02/10/2003 01:16 PM
        Please respond to RPG programming on the AS400 / iSeries
        
                To:     "RPG programming on the AS400 / iSeries"
        <rpg400-l@midrange.com>
                cc:
                Fax to:
                Subject:        RE: /FREE RPG compiler errors
        
        
        > From: Gary Guthrie
        >
        > 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.
        >
        > The following is NOT an opinion: Free-format RPG is better.
        >
        > There, now that that's settled, what else should we talk about?
        
        Pure free-format is not necessarily "better" than fixed-format.  There 
are
        some things better, some not.  And it *IS* an opinion.  Replacing:
        
           MOVE A    B
        
        with
        
           eval %subst(b : 2 : 2) = %editc(a : 'X');
        
        is NOT better, in my opinion.  I don't care how readable it is to a C
        programmer, I care how readable it is to an RPG programmer, and the 
former
        is more readable, and a lot easier to code.  This is where the opinion 
bit
        comes in.
        
        Now, most of my objections would go away if they'd just allow some
        transitionary syntax.
        
           eval %move(a : b)
           eval %movel(a : b)
        
        If those were acceptable, I'd be far more likely to embrace the 
language,
        and there's no reason not to support them.  You think they're 
unreadable?
        Go in and change them.  But don't force your idea of readable on me.
        
        Joe
        
        
        
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