[Info-vax] Access to _all_ VMS system services and library functions from DCL ?

[David Froble]

John Reagan wrote:
> On Monday, July 10, 2017 at 3:46:22 PM UTC-4, David Froble wrote:

>> If I can "include" the data structure in my programs, and then reference the 
>> data by name, sure would make things simpler.
> 

> Some of that data is expensive to obtain.  I don't think you want SYS$GETJPI
> to collect all possible data just so you can check the account name or CPU
> time consumed.  And the layout then gets fixed for all time so the OS would
> have an even harder time to expand the username beyond 12 chars for example.

Until it is defined just how "expensive", I think exploring the concept is a 
good thing.

I could imagine a few places where certain data is not retrieved, unless 
explicitly asked for.  Hopefully with some flag method better than item lists. 
But better if all data was just included.  Simpler.

Now, for data layout, if the data structure is included in VMS, and "ALWAYS" 
used as-is, and no expectations are made on data size, then after a fresh 
compile and link, you got the new sizes, and it's up to you what you do with 
them.  VMS can make changes.  If they are incompatible with your code, that's 
"your" problem.  Fix it.

If you're using Basic and dynamic strings, what's the problem?

:-)