Re: a file in a service program

> > I would prefer to leave the file closed until i call one of the
functions
> > that use it, then i'd like it to remain open until the calling program
is
> > done.

> before using it do:

>        if not %open(MYFILE);
>           open MYFILE;
>        endif;

fer sure.

> >
> > Should I let the program open the file or open it myself?
> >

> For some reason (maybe just because the compiler generates a warning) it
> is considered "wrong" to let the program open the file in a service
> program.

this makes sense, since the cycle is what opens files, and srvpgms don't
use the cycle (i think?)

> > If I open it myself, will it close automagically when the current
> > activation group ends?

> No matter what you do, it's going to be closed when the activation group
> ends. :)

that's what I thought, but wasn't sure.

> However, I think it makes for better code if you close it manually
instead
> of letting the environment do it.   For this reason, I often code
> procedures like:
>         mysrvpgm_load() -- called when a program first references the
>                              service program.
>       mysrvpgm_unload() -- called when a program is done with the
>                              service program.
>
> Another option, if you want the files to open/close "automagically" (from
> the callers point of view, anyway) would be to register a procedure to be
> called when the activation group is ended which can close the files
> nicely.

is there any discernable difference between 'nice' and 'rough', other than
the code is cleaner?

I'm not adverse to the 'file should be closed implicitely' warning message
at compile time, but i do try to write clean code whereever possible.

thanks, Scott,

"sometimes we plays it nice, and slow, sometimes we plays fast and
rough!....
      big files keep on closin'...."