Re: Benefits of Sub-procedures

[Hans Boldt <boldt@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Booth Martin wrote:
>  Hans, I respectfully disagree about how "easier" is interpreted in this
> context.  
>
>
>
> A metaphor might be a wandering brook through a field.  One might think that
> a straight line from high spot to low spot would be the "easier" way for the
> brook to flow but gosh...  the brook finds it is way easier to meander all
> over the field.  Its all of those  little bumps and rocks and soft spots
> that determine where the brook goes.  
>
>
>
> Programers all have days of little bumps, rocks, and soft  spots.  I won't
> accept the implication that most older RPG programmers are too lazy to
> accept new stuff.  We have all gone down the 'next new way' a time or two
> too many.

I understand what you're saying. Technologies and techniques come 
and go. Like SNA and SAA.

But the current thread is on procedures. This is a programming 
technique that's been around forever, and like I said before, is 
perhaps the most important and commonly used structuring technique 
in practically every other programming language. It absolutely 
boggles my mind that there could possibly be any resistance at all 
to that well-established technique.

I don't mean to suggest that most older programmers are too lazy to 
accept new stuff, or are somehow incapable of learning new things. 
(I don't believe that anyways. Besides, laziness afflicts people of 
*all* ages!) But if there is a reluctance to accept procedures in 
particular, then perhaps early retirement should be offered.

Cheers! Hans