Re: using LIKE() for data length and changing data type

[Barbara Morris <bmorris@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Dan wrote:
> ...
> Is there any reason why you added this to kludge #1?:
>  D CustNumberAlpha      S              LIKE(CustNumberDs)
> 
> CustNumberDs seems to work fine as a stand-alone "field".  I can compare it, 
> I can use it as a
> parameter, etc.

I added it only because I thought you wanted another field, not an
overlay.

> 
> Does the RPG compiler development team see any value in making this a little 
> more
> programmer-friendly?  I guess I wonder why the compiler does not allow data 
> type to be specified
> when the LIKE keyword is also specified.  I'm sure there are examples of data 
> types where this
> combo wouldn't make sense, but numeric and character "redefines" would be 
> extremely useful, IMO.
> 

Sure, something like it was one of our survey items.  It got a few votes
... 
[ ]   9   $5  Format change on a LIKE define for numerics.