Re: RPG runtime

[Vern Hamberg <vhamberg@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Seems to me that if there had been an EXIT opcode, it would still be 
there. But I just found an RPG II reference manual on bitsavers - the 
EXIT opcode is there, and, yes, it is for transferring control to an 
assembler language subroutine. System 34 days!

I'm glad I don't have to have THAT much fun these days!

Regards
Vern

On 4/19/2021 2:31 AM, Gad Miron wrote:
> > I vaguely remember that RPG II had an EXIT Op Code you could use to call
> external
> (Assembly?) Subroutines.   used that for sorting or conversions me think.
>
> Gad
>
>
>
>
> > date: Sun, 18 Apr 2021 10:32:24 +1000
> > from: Frank Kolmann <Frank.Kolmann@xxxxxxxxx>
> > subject: RPG runtime (was Upcoming spring 2021 RPG enhancements)
> >
> > RPG evolved from a very simple language. I was stunned when I found in
> > RPG II one could add only 2 variables together in one line of cpde.
> > RPG II III IV never had a concept of functions that you could import
> > into your code.
> > There were no standard or other librarys one could access.
> > All I/O functions and op codes were built in for want of a better term ,
> > ( is that? runtime?)
> > There was some ability to code SPECIAL routines defined on the F (file)
> > specs but hardly no one knew how to do that.
> > To compare RPG to C is not imo a comparison that makes sense.
> > With C one has capabilities to code compilers and operating systems.?
> > RPG never had that.
> > RPG was perfect for coding solutions to business requirements.
> > I found C was a bit like using a military tank to go to your local
> > shops, way to much overkill to solve business issues.
> > I found simply getting C code to compile was next to impossible.
> > I could not write C code like I wrote RPG.? I could code an entire RPG
> > program then use the compiler to flush out coding errors.
> > With C I needed to start with a very small bit of C code that compiled,
> > then add a line or two and compile that.
> > It was the only way I could construct a C program , I needed hundred or
> > even thousands of compilations.
> > Luckily todays C compilers are very fast so C coding in that manner was
> > feasible.
> > When you throw OOP into the ring RPG never had that.
> > Only relatively recently did RPG ILE even have a concept of functions.
> > It was only when I learnt C did I begin to understand what functions
> > were, what library functions were etc.
> > I am old and retired from coding but I wonder, do we really need to
> > convert RPG from a family car into a military tank.
> >
> > Frank