> -----Original Message----- > From: IBM Mainframe Assembler List > [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Kevin Lynch > Sent: Wednesday, May 16, 2012 10:59 AM > To: [email protected] > Subject: Re: OT? Assembler "enhancements"? > > I too would like a more free form syntax, particularly > allowing greater width. > > The ability to drop a dependent but not labelled Using would > sometimes be useful, and yes I know there are ways around > this but they are all a little cumbersome. > > But most of all would be some way to imply the length of the > second operand on SS format instructions. I cant begin to > imagine how much time I have spoent counting the length of > some second operand and having to manually code its length in > the first operand. This is time consuming and error prone and > should be done by the Assembler. And yes I know there are > ways around this too but again they all rather cumbersome. My > suggestion would be to omit/nullify the length of the first > operand thereby asking the Assembler to use the length of the > second operand instead. e.g. > > MVC PRINTLINE(),=C'a nice long constant whose length I > dont have to count' > MVC 0(,R1),=C'or correct because someone else didnt count > it correctly' > > Kevin Lynch > Senior Software Developer for Implex > William Data Systems
This is why I have abandoned using character literals. I ususally put an area in my program, usually at the bottom of the code area, which contains all my "constants", similar to: CONSTANTS DC 0D'0' ... ECONSTANTS EQU *-1 In my code, I do something like: LARL Rn,CONSTANTS USING (CONSTANTS,ECONSTANTS),Rn The biggest problem is keeping unique and meaningful names. I can then MVC operand1(l'operand2),operand2 The MVC operand1(),operand2 syntak to have the length of operand2 be inserted into the length field of operand1 is interesting, but I don't know if it could lead to problem. I might perfer some special value such as: MVC PRINTLINE(L'.OPERAND2),=C'This is the string' Might be more understandable. But that's just me. -- John McKown Systems Engineer IV IT Administrative Services Group HealthMarkets(r) 9151 Boulevard 26 * N. Richland Hills * TX 76010 (817) 255-3225 phone * [email protected] * www.HealthMarkets.com Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail message may contain confidential or proprietary information. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message. HealthMarkets(r) is the brand name for products underwritten and issued by the insurance subsidiaries of HealthMarkets, Inc. -The Chesapeake Life Insurance Company(r), Mid-West National Life Insurance Company of TennesseeSM and The MEGA Life and Health Insurance Company.SM
