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Status Future consideration
Workspace IBM i
Categories Languages - RPG
Created by Guest
Created on Feb 24, 2023

Default parameter values for parameters defined with *omit or *nopass

Allow the definition of a default value for optional parameters so that rather than having to have to check %parms and use a second field as currently :-

dcl-pi addItemToBasket;
sku char(10);
workQty int(10) options(*nopass)
end-pi;

dcl-s qty like(workQty);

if (%parms > 1);
qty = workQty;
else;
qty = 1;
endif;

You could instead write something like the following which is clearer, more explicit and readable :-

dcl-pi addItemToBasket;
sku char(10);
qty int(10) options(*nopass) dft(1);
end-pi;
Idea priority Medium
  • Admin
    Maria del Carmen Ruvalcaba Cevallos
    Reply
    |
    Nov 28, 2023

    The CAAC has reviewed this IBM Idea and recommends that IBM not implement this request.

    This request has potential unintentional consequences. By defaulting the value, you are hiding whether or not the value of a parameter is what it is (it passed to that value or defaulted to that value).

    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 i community and has therefore reviewed your Idea.

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

    Carmelita Ruvalcaba - CAAC Program Manager


  • Guest
    Reply
    |
    Jun 7, 2023

    There is an easy way to do this in ILE CL using a small snippet of sample code shown below:

    START: PGM PARM(&ENVI)

    DCL VAR(&ENVI) TYPE(*CHAR) LEN(1) /* Input +

    environment parameter */

    DCL VAR(&ENV) TYPE(*CHAR) LEN(1) /* Environment +

    field used in the program */

    CHGVAR VAR(&ENV) VALUE(&ENVI) /* MCH3601 occurs, +

    if &ENVI omitted */

    MONMSG MSGID(MCH3601) EXEC(DO) /* Catch MCH3601 +

    error */

    RCVMSG MSGQ(*PGMQ) MSGTYPE(*LAST) RMV(*YES)

    /* Remove MCH3601 from joblog */

    CHGVAR VAR(&ENV) VALUE('A') /* Set default of &ENV +

    to 'A', if &ENVI was omitted */

    ENDDO

    ENDPGM

  • Guest
    Reply
    |
    Mar 8, 2023
    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.

    However, if this Idea is implemented, the DFT keyword would only be supported for parameters defined with the VALUE or CONST keywords. It would also only be supported if OPTIONS(*NOPASS) or OPTIONS(*OMIT) were specified.

    - IBM Power Systems Development
  • Guest
    Reply
    |
    Feb 24, 2023

    I think this would only make sense for VALUE or CONST parameters.

    - Barbara Morris