Re: free-format move *USA date value to 6-digit numeric in YMDformat

Douglas Handy <dhandy@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> Historically, I think many RPG only programmers settled into
> a comfort zone with RPG III and the fact it didn't evolve for
> years on end.  Overly simplified, I think they just don't want
> change.  And that can add up to only one outcome...

I think that's a very sharp observation. I know people who refuse to use
ENDxx because that'll make their programs "incompatible" with older ones
that only use END. I've tried offering them a tool that'll automatically
update all their old source code to put the correct xx on the end of each
END to make it ENDxx. The very suggestion generally means they have to go
and lie down in a darkened room for a couple of hours. Try convincing them
to switch to free-format RPG/IV.

But are we not falling into the same trap by demanding that IBM hold back
enhancements until major release boundaries? Sure, I'd like to have it all
now, but that doesn't seem to be possible. So I'll settle for taking each
enhancement as soon as it's ready. Shops that need backward source
compatibility won't be able to make use of them immediately, or possibly
for years, but that's a matter for them, surely?

--
Dave...


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