Allow multiple definitions in a Dcl-s statement

Colons are not the problem: let the developers be free to choose what they prefer.

Colons are not the problem: let the developers be free to choose what they prefer.

IBM does not intend to provide a solution to this request at this time, so it is being closed.

For languages such as C and Java, style guidelines often recommend against defining multiple variables in the same definition. For example, http://www.informit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=2133373&seqNum=2.

As an aside, as suggested by Matt's comment, the syntax for this would require colons to separate the names being defined::

Dcl-s a : b : c int(10);

I'm not a fan of this at all. I think it will become harder to read and you could easily confuse variables.

Plus, with the example provided you could easily cut and past the data definition section and just paste after you define the variable name.

Jason

Nice idea - but it does make me nervous. I can envisage problems as this could so easily be misread:

Dcl LastCustomer Name Char(50); // Two separate variables declared

Dcl LastCustomerName Char(50); // One variable declared
Dcl LastCustomer_Name Char(50); // One variable declared

Dcl LastCustomer:Name Char(50); // Might be better - two separate variables declared

Hmmm - on balance I think it safest to declare each variable separately; clear and easy to maintain with no opportunity for misinterpretation

Don't other languages require a token separator when declaring variables? This example confuses keyword tokens from variable tokens.