NEW RPG RFE - %Pos() BIF

Subsequent to the recent discussions on the best way to redefine record fields in an array (or some other redefinition) I decided to resurrect an old COMMON requirement in a slightly different form.

The biggest problem with one of the approaches discussed was that it required that you manually calculate the start position of the first field in the array. RPG IV did away with the need to use the old From/To definitions and avoid the problems that subsequent changes in the field definitions can cause. So it saddens me to see a solution that effectively forces you to go back to the bad old days.

Enter the %POS() Built-In Function. The idea is that this returns the start position of the named field as an integer and could be used to replace a hard-coded value.

I'm sure it can also find other uses but this is good enough for me.

I won't include an example here as there is one in the RFE. Please check out the RFE and if you think it is a good idea please vote for it. The URL is:

http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/rfe/execute?use_case=viewRfe&CR_ID=121317 <http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/rfe/execute?use_case=viewRfe&CR_ID=121317>



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