Re: RE: Free-format RPG

[jrc@xxxxxxxxxx]

>I know it's more work, but if you do it that often
>why not create a procedure/function?  
>
>#getNumericTime( *current );
>#getAlphaTime( *job : *usa ); 
>
>Haven't done it, but I suppose it would work.
>
>


Mike really hit the bulls eye here.  If you are *really* utilizing ILE then 
rarely should you wait around for IBM to provide you with a BIF: you have the 
power to write your own!

<shameless self-promotion>
This has been my approach since I started to use ILE and is the focus of my new 
website http://www.RPGNext.com, which will soon have tutorials and downloads 
for just such an occasion.  And everything I do on the site is in /free.  I 
still need a couple of weeks to finalize the site but feel free to stop by and 
give me some feedback.
</shameless self-promotion>

As for the rest of the /free debates, I really haven't seen any argument that 
would make me think twice about using it.  For what it's worth, the policy in 
my shop, which I set, says that all new code will be written in /free.  Old 
code can stay lke it is, but if you add something or change something 
significant then do so in /free.  If you *REALLY* need something in fixed 
format (like a MOVEA or something similar, then wrap it in a subprocedure so 
that it only has to be done once.

I also agree with Doc that dropping in and out of /free for SQL statements 
bites and I was disheartened to hear Hans say it won't be changed in the next 
release, but I can live with it.  I want to say thanks to the Compiler team for 
giving us both /free and embedded SQL.  With any luck I'll get my VB programmer 
to learn RPG yet! ;-)


Joel