RE: Free Form RPG Opinions Wanted

["Joe Pluta" <joepluta@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> From: Douglas Handy
>
> With an intelligent converter of fixed to free form, it could
> analyze the field
> types and lengths and replace all "normal" uses of MOVE with the
> proper eval
> constructs.  This would cover the vast majority of MOVEs.  And
> make the rest
> stick out like the sore thumb they are.

Hey, if IBM provided this I'd be thrilled.  I'd be mroe thrilled if they
also included the %MOVE BIF.  Then, we could convert everything, remove all
the MOVEs, and still have the %MOVE to "stick out like a sore thumb".

See, it really isn't that difficult to come up with a scenario where we're
both satisfied.  But it does take BOTH sides getting off their butts and
meeting in the middle, without this "I'm right and that's all there is too
it" attitude.

Here's what I'm sick of:

I have been REPEATEDLY making suggestions as to things that would improve
the language, not crush poor old Hans' vision of the future, and at the same
time make legacy programmers' lives easier.  And I get stymied every time by
some version of the statement, "that old stuff sucks, and it should all be
rewritten."

What a load of crap!  The retesting costs alone would bankrupt most shops!
But anyway, you've made your position known.  It's diametrically opposed to
mine.

Joe