----------------------------------<snip>---------------------------------- CDC 6000 batch source maintenance tools (UPDATE?) even in the late
1960's had much more elegance than IBM counterparts. User supplied source statements for the Assembler were constrained to 80-byte card images (72 columns + sequence), but the assembler actually supported 90 byte input lines, which allowed library maintenance tools to introduce a much longer sequence identification which included a modification name (analogous to a SYSMOD ID) and a sequence number within that modification. I believe the sequence numbers were generated automatically as part of the initial storing into the source library or updating of the source member, and then could be used afterwards to uniquely refer to a specific statement for future updates. It was always clear which named modification introduced a statement without having to resort to manually inserted and possibly incorrect comments. Statements could be replaced or deleted, but the original statement was still retained in a disabled state and could be resurrected at a later time by another modification, or at any time you could choose to undo modifications and revert to an early source version. I can still remember my disappointment on discovering the lack of comparable built-in facilities on MVS in the mid 1970's. ----------------------------<unsnip>------------------------------------ If there's anybody out there old enough, they'll remember Assembler-G, from University of Waterloo, with it's temporary update facility. You supplied updates in IEBUPDTE format in a separate input file. The Assembler would apply those updates to create a temporary file, which was then assembled. IIRC, it was invoked by executing the UPASM program, instead of ASMGASM. I used it extensively and it saved my bacon more than once, when IEBUPDTE would have left me with a useless source deck. Rick --- [This E-mail has been scanned for viruses by the YourNet Connection Virus system] [For more information, please go to http://www.ync.net/YourMAIL] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
