[WDSCI-L] Re: Indenting Fre-Format RPG

[craigs@xxxxxxxxx]

Scott,
I'm not sure what IBM thinks about free format RPG.  I'm not sure what you
are trying to actually do.  Under LPEX, you can show indentation under
"Source" > "Show Indentation".  Under CODE, it is under "View" > "Indent".
Also, CODE has another option that LPEX does not.  Under "Actions" >
"Convert all to C Free-Form" or "Convert selection to C Free-Form".  I
think this may be closer to what you want?  The convert to free-form allows
you to convert the RPG member to free-form.  A word of caution though.
Once you convert to free-form, there is no converting back and there is no
reformat option to fix indentations.  By not having to include this
reformat option, I think IBM is trying to say they want programmers in
charge of cleaning up the source to be more "flexible".  If you indented it
ugly, you must have wanted it ugly?  I think I have heard people mention
other software packages that allow this and I am not sure what is holding
IBM back.  I know there were lengthy posts awhile ago on the CODE list
about how to properly keep source indented and I am not sure there will be
a solution soon.  I have not been keeping up on it.
My opinion:
Personally, I prefer to keep everything columnized and then view in
free-form to see indented if's, etc.  I still need to get used to using the
end-free (ex: SQL, prod headings, KFLD).  I always avoid using legacy
opcodes (ADD, MOVE, IFEQ, DOWEQ, etc) that hinder convert to free-form.
Eventually, I could just convert to free-form in CODE and it is done.
Sometimes though I just write the whole program in straight free-form if I
am doing large variables assignments (eval's).  I think right now it is a
matter of taste.

Craig Strong

** Rob wrote:
I believe IBM thinks that if you wanted indented free format RPG then you
should be using SEU and RPGAlive.

Rob Berendt