Re: Define field as an indicator in D-specs

[Alan Campin <alan0307d@xxxxxxxxx>]

Yes, why IBM has not defined literal constants *True and *False I do not
know.

The reason for defining your own is obvious. Field type N are Logical data
type. Boolean only two values allowed True or False. The only reason for
them being character 1 with 0 or 1 is to maintain compatibility with
existing RPG code with indicators.

Using *On and *Off just means you have to translate into true or false and
you would never want to do

If LogicalField = *On

or

If LogicalField = *Off

You would always do

If LogicalField;   (If True)

If Not LogicalField    (If False)

Where the constants come in set the value of logical field obviously.

DisplaySubfileMessage = cTrue;

EditMode = cTrue;
DisplayMode = cFalse;

Condition is true or false.


On Fri, Dec 6, 2013 at 11:35 AM, Monnier, Gary <Gary.Monnier@xxxxxxxxx>wrote:

> Frankly *ON and *OFF do not equate to true and false except by your
> design.   They just mean '1' and '0'.  You can make this mean anything you
> want.  Barbara's comment about making them constants was a good one.  Many
> shops use this technique.
>
> One big issue with many developers for as long as I've been around is
> assuming everyone will understand their logic.  With some developers their
> thinking is quite clear.  With others you feel like you have to take a trip
> around the world and back then unwind a ball of twine to figure out what
> they did.
>
> I suspect IBM will add them eventually.  RPG gets more and more like other
> languages all the time.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: rpg400-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:rpg400-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx]
> On Behalf Of Englander, Douglas
> Sent: Friday, December 06, 2013 10:16 AM
> To: rpg400-l@xxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: Re: Define field as an indicator in D-specs
>
>
> I'm not confused. I don't understand why someone would want to write more
> code than they have to.
>
> If people steeped in other languages can't figure out what is meant by *ON
> and *OFF, then we, as developers, have bigger issues.
>
> Maybe we should ask IBM to include *TRUE and *FALSE as additional ways to
> signify *ON and *OFF.
>
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