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On 14/05/2008, at 6:40 AM, Doug Palme wrote:
Is anyone still using the old indicator style of INKC, INKA, etc.?
I'm sure some are still doing so but they shouldn't. The primary
reason is they are not self documenting. Sure, everyone (who knows
old RPG) knows that *INKA = F1 and *INKC = F3 but what does *INKP
mean (quickly now, without counting on your fingers)?
Is there any reason why this should even be used today?
No. They can be replaced with the more mnemonic 01 to 24 indicators,
or better use named indicators.
I know some are advocating using no indicators at all in a
program....but
is that not one of the strengths of RPG?
Indicators are not a STRENGTH of RPG. They are merely a feature. At
their heart they are just boolean flags and as a programmer I once
knew said:
Flags belong on flag-poles, not in programs.
Named indicators are better than numeric ones if only for their
documentation advantages. Numeric indicators have little purpose in
modern RPG IV. Even when communicating with display files the only
remaining use for an indicator is to control DSPATR(PC) which for
some reason cannot be specified using a program-to-system field to
control display attributes. With DSPATR(&PTSFLD) and I/O BIFs there
are few instances where an indicator (of any variety) is needed.
Regards,
Simon Coulter.
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