Lars wrote: > > John wrote... > > >CI functions: Call script/UDC & return value > > >This enhancement would empower the community to add > functionality to the CI. > >For example, wrap the program above in a script or UDC that > handles input > >and returns TRUE or FALSE and you have a ISPRINTER(LDEV) > function that you > >can integrate into your script. Note also, that the VOLINFO, > DEVINFO and > >SPOOLINFO functions can be created this same way BY USERS IN > THE COMMUNITY. > > Wouldn't it also be a viable workaround to have the community-supplied > program (in your example) return the result via HPCIPUTVAR to HPRESULT > or another variable that might have been named via the INFO string? It > could then be used in expressions for IF, WHILE, etc. > Of course. I've done this many time myself. However, the fact that this workaround exists has not led to any significant contributions that extend CI functionality. My hope is that by creating a common interface specification through this enhancement we will stimulate the community (perhaps under the auspices of OpenMPE, though I have not discussed this with them) to start some Open Source projects to add functionality to the CI. Baby steps to perhaps something bigger down the road? > Don't get me wrong. The CI enhancements like function results would be > nice, but I suspect that the effort might be high and maybe they would > only be provided as patch for the very latest MPE version(s), whereas > relatively "straightforward" workarounds could be used in all > versions. We were given an estimate of "medium" for this and there is some interest within vCSY to do it. You do raise a valid concern about patches, but then the same concern applies to nearly all the enhancements on the SIB. I guess I feel we cannot afford to just do nothing and lose our one and only opportunity to get anything added to MPE before EOL. I do not know of any obvious reason why this patch could not be provided for 6.5, 7.0 and 7.5, but then someone like Jeff Vance would need to comment. Jeff? What about it? * To join/leave the list, search archives, change list settings, * * etc., please visit http://raven.utc.edu/archives/hp3000-l.html *