Well said, Mark. Your simple 5-step example could save a newcomer hours of trial and error.
Until the full-blown "Incubator and Learning Pack" is available, this would be a perfect addition to the U2UG web site. Maybe there are some draft pieces already written that could be posted. Perhaps other members of the list can suggest some online resources for getting started that could be added to the U2UG "Links" page, too. Regards, Tom >>> [EMAIL PROTECTED] 03/07/07 9:13 AM >>> Sidebar to ms Anita's questions: We've lived through all of the quirks of the evolution of our beloved MV database and programming language. It's second nature to us. Virtually all of our techniques preceed those developed in other databases and languages. Thus, we endeavor to learn the new stuff after having success with MV. Hers is an opposite case. This begs the question if there is an MV for Dummies or something to give the experienced non-MV professional a quick start onto the obvious (to us) differences between MV and the SQL-like world. (I use SQL as the nominal 'other side of the fence' database). In my travels I have seen programs written in MV by persons proficient in other environments yet aren't the best methods for programming MV. Not to dictate a 'standards committee' but to provide ms Anita with an illustration of the popular differences and comparisons between the two. Thus, persons like ms Anita won't get frustrated when trying to support or develop in MV. IMHO the first place to start would be the MV file structure itself, to illustrate that not all data structures are flat and SQL-like. Granted, we all have seen flat files in MV and certainly 3 dimensioned files in MV. Second place to start would be her question here of just generic programming file concepts. Does she really need a separate BP file for programs and subroutines. We all know that you can have INCLUDES, Programs, Subroutines and even data in the same BP file. A simple tutorial like 1. CREATE-FILE blah, blah 2. EDIT BP PROG1 3. BASIC BP PROG1 4. CATALOG BP PROG1 5. RUN or PROG1 to actually use it. would be a great help instead of a newbie trying to figure it out for themselves. Virtually every reference manual is just that, a reference. While she may learn a lot from reverse engineering the MV environment she's working in, that only serves to perpetuate the home-rules for that application and may teach her (and promote) bad techniques. My 2 cents Mark Johnson <snip> ----------------------------------------- This e-mail and any attachments may contain CONFIDENTIAL information, including PROTECTED HEALTH INFORMATION. If you are not the intended recipient, any use or disclosure of this information is STRICTLY PROHIBITED; you are requested to delete this e-mail and any attachments, notify the sender immediately, and notify the LabCorp Privacy Officer at [EMAIL PROTECTED] or call (877) 23-HIPAA / (877) 234-4722. ------- u2-users mailing list u2-users@listserver.u2ug.org To unsubscribe please visit http://listserver.u2ug.org/
