Programmer Tip: Three ways to program more efficiently

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Title: Programmer Tips

August 25, 2004 Published by  Search400.com    Programmer Tips Issue Sponsored By:   > ASNA   > Profound Logic Software's RPG-Alive IN THIS ISSUE:   >  The Lazy Coder: Three ways to program more efficiently   >  How to use RPG's IMPORT and EXPORT keywords to share data across modules   >  RPG comment lines in different colors   >  The Lazy Coder: Get the bugs out   >  Hot programming tips   >  Free Book Excerpt: XML for eServer i5 and iSeries The Lazy Coder: Three ways to program more efficiently [Search400.com] by Andrew Borts As programmers, we write these monster RPG programs and hope the compiler helps us out. But how can we be lazy with the code itself? What can we do to make sure the programs are written to take advantage of ALL the features of the OS/400 so they finish at about the time that we want to take a nap? Here are just a few things we can do. MORE INFO: > View previous tips by Andrew Borts   Nothin' but .NET! The ASNA Advantage: The only proven iSeries migration and extension solution to .NET! Modernize solutions that extend & enhance legacy business apps. Get fast, seamless access to iSeries and/or SQL Server data. Reap the benefits of cost-effective, modern solutions. Click here for more information.   How to use RPG's IMPORT and EXPORT keywords to share data across modules [Search400.com] Do you have two modules that need to use the same variable? One option is parameter passing in which that variable is passed between the modules. However, that can lead to excessive parameter passing and a decrease in CALL-operation performance. Another option: external variables. Using the RPG keywords Export and Import, you can define and declare, respectively, a particular field as external. RPG comment lines in different colors [Search400.com] This program from Search400.com member Stefan Simmerlein generates a file with different colors. You can then use these lines as colored comment lines in your RPG programs. The Lazy Coder: Get the bugs out [Search400.com] You've created the masterpiece of all masterpieces. This is THE definition of GREAT programming, poise and pride. But then Q/A calls and says there's a problem. Unfortunately, you need to go back and find the bugs wreaking havoc. Here are some tips for debugging your programs and how to troubleshoot your programs as you build them to avoid problems at the end. Hot programming tips [Search400.com] Programmers take notice. Did you miss any of our past programmer tips? Don't worry. We've pulled together the 10 most popular tips YTD just for you. FREE BOOK EXCERPT:  Free Book Excerpt: XML for eServer i5 and iSeries Log on and download for free Chapter 1 of XML for eServer i5 and iSeries written by Steve Bos and David Morris and published by MC Press. This chapter, "XML: Where Did It Come From? Where Is It Going?" provides an introduction to XML and introduces you to some ways in which you can use XML on your iSeries platform to exchange information and create Web applications. Win a copy of the book: After you've read the chapter, test how much you learned and then send us the results for a chance to win a copy of XML for eServer i5 and iSeries. Send your e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED].   Edit & Analyze RPG code up to 5 times faster Any complex RPG programs at your shop? Let RPG-Alive make sense of them instantly! RPG-Alive, 2004 APEX Award Winner for Best Programming Utility, takes away the mundane & boring tasks associated with RPG development. Within 1 minute, RPG programming can be fun again! Free Download! Effortless 1-Minute Installation!   LEARN IT:  iSeries vocabulary quiz Do you speak fluent geek? Take our iSeries vocabulary quiz and see if you can match up each term with its correct definition. All Search400.com members that submit quizzes that are complete -- and correct -- will be placed into a drawing for a $25 Amazon gift certificate. Go ahead and test out your iSeries knowledge. EXPERT ANSWER CENTER:  Fast answers for difficult questions With more than 12,000 answers from IT experts, the Expert Answer Center KnowledgeBase may just have your question answered before you ask it. Can't find what you're looking for? Our rotating lineup of featured experts are waiting for your questions (they're writing blog entries instead of twiddling their thumbs); every two weeks, their specific topic changes. So see what's in store this week and what's coming up. If you ask your question early, you'll be among the first to receive a reply.   Contact Us Sales For sales inquiries, please contact us at: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Editorial For feedback about any of our articles or to send us your article ideas, please contact us at: [EMAIL PROTECTED]     Free E-Newsletters! 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