Service programs suck

Hi everyone,

We have this problem with 1 procedure that calls another that calls another :


Module 1 Procedure 1 calls Module 2 Procedure 1.
Module 2 Procedure 2 calls Module 3 Procedure 1.

Module 3 Procedure 1 gets the following modification : a parameter M3P1Parm that is a DS declared LIKE another DS in the same module. Module 2 Procedure 2 is modified accordingly.

Module 3 is recompiled, no problem.
Module 2 is recompiled, the compiler imports the protoypes of all the exported procedures of Module 3 with the definition of M3P1Parm, again no problem.
Module 1 is recompiled, the compiler imports the protoypes of all the exported procedures of Module 2 : Procedure 1 that is uses, and Procedure 2 that it doesn't - PROBLEM, it doesn't know what is M3P1Parm.


Bigger problem : the policy is to systematically compile ALL the modules that use the module modified. I realise that probably raises a few eyebrows but that's the way things are!

Now, I am asked what I think of this way round the problem :

If an exported procedure contains a DS as a parameter then that procedure must have its own module.

I suggest that Module 2 should be a service program and that Module 1 would not have to be recompiled.
I am reminded that we do not use service programs as they use dynamic calls and that would mean the same as going back to RPGIII.

Any enlightenment would be greatly appreciated.