Re: Indicator Coding Technique

[Booth Martin <booth@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Here is an interesting solution:

http://tinyurl.com/8fjub



Booth Martin wrote:
> I suppose one could refine the technique and copy the old External 
> Switches concept, where there were 3 choices: 0, 1, or X.  X meant 
> unchanged.  So in your example:
>
>  > if condition;
>  >   functionKeys = 'XXXX0XXXXXX0XXXXXXXXXXXX';
>  > endif;
>
> could be used.
>
> See how much improved a solution that is?  errr... let me count those 
> again....
>
> Larry Ducie wrote:
> > Hi Rick,
> >
> > <snip>
> > Anyway, thank you all for your opinions. Hopefully, I will be able to use 
> > them to reinforce my own arguments against this "standard". At least I can 
> > tell them that message board was unanimously against it!
> > </snip>
> >
> > One last example to help you bury this mad idea:
> >
> > /free
> >
> > if condition;
> >   functionKeys = '000100000000001000010010';
> > endif;
> >
> > /end-free
> >
> > OK, what change didl I make to the indicators when executing the line above?
> >
> > Possible answers:
> >
> > 1) Switched indicator 4 on.
> > 2) Switched indicator 15 on.
> > 3) Switched indicator 20 on.
> > 4) Switched indicator 23 on.
> > 5) Switched on any combination/permutation of the four indicators listed 
> > above on.
> >
> >
> > Answer?
> >
> > I switched indicators 5 and 11 off. :-)
> >
> > The idea is madness. It is totally unworkable. Regarding people 
> > understanding the system once they have got used to it - it's patent 
> > nonsense. If I look at an eval statement like the one above I have no idea 
> > what will be changed by that statement unless I know the exact state of the 
> > indicators prior to the execution of the statement. The problem is, except 
> > for extremely simple programs, this information is only known at runtime. 
> > How on earth am I you supposed to develop a program with that kind of 
> > constraint?
> >
> > Sheer folly.
> >
> > ** Please deduct my account the sum of 0.02 Euro Dollars **
> >
> > Cheers
> >
> > Larry Ducie