IBM Mainframe Assembler List <[email protected]> wrote on 02/24/2014 04:35:24 PM:
> From: John Gilmore <[email protected]> > What Tom Thackrey says is literally true, but perhaps also a little > misleading. It was possible to enter lower-case characters, using as > he says an overpunch; but it was not possible to interpret such > overpunched cards, and this was important in the early days of OS/360 > when source programs existed chiefly as decks of cards. > Or again, it was certainly possible to change trains to print > mixed-case output, but that output was significantly slower, and if > you wanted it it was usually produced for you only at intervals during > the day. Turnaround for it was much longer than it was for > upper-case-only printed output. > In practical terms mixed-case source programs were not really feasible > in most OS/360 shops in the late 60's and in the 70's. Thereafter, of > course, things changed; and it is more than a little unfortunate that > upper-case-only source programs are still in wide use. The only > rationale for them today is the old saw that 'old habits die hard'. well said ----------------------------------------- The information contained in this communication (including any attachments hereto) is confidential and is intended solely for the personal and confidential use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient or an agent responsible for delivering it to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you have received this communication in error and that any review, dissemination, copying, or unauthorized use of this information, or the taking of any action in reliance on the contents of this information is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by e-mail, and delete the original message. Thank you
