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Status Future consideration
Workspace IBM i
Categories Languages - RPG
Created by Guest
Created on Oct 30, 2022

Improve PCML to allow non-integer return variables and SQL service to retrieve PCML

Please update PCML to allow any return variable or parameter that RPG natively supports and add a SQL service to pull PCML from the object. This was mentioned in a comment for IBMI-I-2812 but I thought it warranted it's own request. The PGMINFO control option would need an extra option to enable full features so it doesn't impact current Java usage. Additionally please add what source file and line number data structures and procedures were defined in.

This would be a huge help to automate building web application interfaces that use the IBM i XMLSERVICE to interface with RPG. Right now you have to manually build your own interface but being able to fully take advantage of PCML to create interfaces programmatically would greatly simplify the process. The SQL service would make it much easier to write a PHP, NodeJS, etc program to pull PCML out and create interfaces from the information.

Also this would help requests like IBMI-I-59 as a data source to build documentation from that doesn't require a custom language parser. Ie if PCML could additionally be allowed to export documentation notations that would be awesome. For example if the preceding comments had a docblock (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Docblock) the compiler could extract that into a super extended PCML definition.

If all of these requests are allowed for, perhaps the compiler should be able to produce multiple PCML exports - ie one that is Java compatible, one that is full variable/parameter information, and one with the extra docblock information. For example on a procedure declaration (dcl-proc) the PGMINFO might have an option to exclude it from Java compatible PCML but include it in the full feature PCML. Also non-exported procedures might have an option to only have them appear as private in the documentation PCML.

Even if the PCML could not be extended to include doc block information with the source file & line number each data structure & procedure were defined in we could more easily write a program to retrieve that information ourselves.

Idea priority Urgent
  • Guest
    Reply
    |
    Nov 9, 2022
    IBM will use this Idea as input to planning, but no commitment is made or implied. This Idea will be updated in the future if IBM implements it. IBM will use votes and comments from others in the community to help prioritize this Idea.

    If this Idea is implemented, it will address the aspect of this Idea for the RPG compiler to have an option to generate PCML for any type of return value or parameter passed by value.

    Please open a separate Idea to request an SQL service to pull PCML from an object.

    Note that the RPG compiler already adds a comment indicating the line number in the listing where the dsta structure or procedure is defined. However, the comments are only generated into the stream-file version of the PCML. They are not included in the PCML that is placed into the RPG module.

    Please open a separate Idea to request that the RPG compiler expand the line-number comment to also give the source file and line number where the data structure or procedure is defined.

    Please open a separate Idea to request that the RPG compiler add an option to generate the comments when it generates PCML into a module.

    IBM Power Systems Development
  • Admin
    Nancy Uthke-Schmucki
    Reply
    |
    Nov 8, 2022

    The CAAC has reviewed this IBM Idea and recommends that IBM view this as a high priority Idea that is important to be addressed. This would help rocket-propel RPG forward. This would make adoption by new programmers easier and help experienced ones to be more productive. PCML support seems to be unfinished without additional functionality.


    Background: The COMMON Americas Advisory Council (CAAC) members have a broad range of experience in working with small and medium-sized IBM i customers. CAAC has a key role in working with IBM i development to help assess the value and impact of individual IBM Ideas on the broader IBM icommunity, and has therefore reviewed your Idea.


    For more information about CAAC, see www.common.org/caac


    Nancy Uthke-Schmucki - CAAC Program Manager