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Status Future consideration
Workspace IBM i
Categories RDi (Rational Developer for i)
Created by Guest
Created on Sep 27, 2018

RELATED IDEAS

Add an RPG refactor feature to add the ALIAS keyword to a file or data structure and handle all the renames

Using the alias names for externally-described files or data structures makes the RPG code more readable. But it's difficult and error-prone to change an existing program to use the alias names instead of the short names, even using RDI's existing rename-refactoring feature. Currently, each field or subfield must be renamed separately, ignoring the errors from the refactoring about how the name comes from an external file.

It would be great if there was a refactor feature "Add Alias". That way, all the references to the related fields and subfields could be changed all at once.


Use Case:

I start with this code:

dcl-f orderfile;
dcl-ds orderDs likerec(orderRec);
dcl-ds otherDs likerec(orderRec);
dcl-ds custDs extname('CUSTFILE') end-ds;
...
custId = nextId();
if splrNm = *blanks;
...
orderDs.splrNm = getSupplier(orderDs.partNo : custId);
otherDs.partNo = 0;

I want to add the ALIAS keyword to the file and the EXTNAME data structure to get the source looking like this:
dcl-f orderfile alias;
dcl-ds orderDs likerec(orderRec);
dcl-ds otherDs likerec(orderRec);
dcl-ds custDs extname('CUSTFILE') alias end-ds;
...
customerId = nextId();
i f supplierName = *blanks;
...
orderDs.supplierName = getSupplier(orderDs.partNumber : customerId);
otherDs.partNumber = 0;

To use RDi's existing rename-refactor feature, I first have to rename each external field name and the subfield names in each LIKEREC data structure, and the subfield names in the EXTNAME data structure, ignoring the errors about breaking the link with the external file. Then I can add the ALIAS keyword to the file and EXTNAME data structure.

I would like to do this with one alias-refactor for the file and one alias-refactor for the EXTNAME data structure. The refactor for the file would add the ALIAS keyword and do a "rename" for both the standalone fields associated with the file and the subfields of the LIKEREC data structures associated with the file. The refactor for the data structure would add the ALIAS keyword and do a "rename" for the subfields of the data structure.


Idea priority High
  • Guest
    Reply
    |     Jan 25, 2022

    The CAAC has reviewed this requirement and recommends that IBM view this as a high priority requirement that is important to be addressed. New and young developers to IBM i need to see that there is a path to easy and understandable code by first converting it/refactoring it. This preserves the argument that RPG is the language of business -- the first step in addressing older code is to convert it.

    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 RFEs on the broader IBM i community, and has therefore reviewed your RFE.

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

    Nancy Uthke-Schmucki - CAAC Program Manager

  • Guest
    Reply
    |     Jan 20, 2022

    As we try to convince young programmers that it is easy to write in RPG because it is similar to other languages we can't keep presenting barriers like the traditional short name without a convenient solution. They have got to see that there is a path to easy and understandable code by first converting it/refactoring it. For me this is a high priority that preserves the argument that RPG is the language of business, and the first step in addressing older code is to convert it. This is an essential request to address as soon as possible.

  • Guest
    Reply
    |     Oct 21, 2020

    We have reviewed this requirement and we feel it would be a beneficial enhancement to the product. We hope to be able to add it to our development plans in the future.

  • Guest
    Reply
    |     Feb 17, 2020

    The COMMON Europe Advisory Council (CEAC) has reviewed this requirement and recommends that IBM view this as a MEDIUM priority requirement that should be addressed.

    Background: The CEAC members have a broad range of experience in working with small and medium-sized IBM i customers. CEAC has a crucial role in working with IBM i development to help assess the value and impact of individual RFEs on the broader IBM i community and has therefore reviewed your RFE.

    To find out how CEAC help to shape the future of IBM i, see CEAC @ ibm.biz/BdYSYj and the article "The Five Hottest IBM i RFEs Of The Quarter" at ibm.biz/BdYSZT

    Therese Eaton – CEAC Program Manager, IBM

  • Guest
    Reply
    |     Oct 4, 2018

    Although the theme of this request is consistent with our business strategy, it is not committed to the release that is currently under development.

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