[Info-vax] Indexed file read question

[abrsvc]

On Wednesday, 18 November 2020 at 13:41:14 UTC-5, Stephen Hoffman wrote:
> On 2020-11-18 17:42:32 +0000, abrsvc said: 
> 
> > OK Thanks. That is what I thought. These are not segmented keys. I 
> > will look further, but posts here have supplied what I needed. 
> > 
> > RE: The overall application design: There are numerous instances of 
> > files being used as message communication mechanisms with 1-10 records 
> > each. Not very efficient, but that is how this system was created. 
> > Many cases of the following sequence: Open file, update 1 field in a 
> > record, close file. Very crude synchronization technique as each open 
> > is in a loop such that if file is locked, go back and try again 
> > (forever...) until you get it open. 
> > 
> > Many other such items throughout the code. I am not involved with 
> > "fixing' the problem, only to explain how it currently "works".
> Somebody's seemingly doing a port off of OpenVMS, eh?
> -- 
> Pure Personal Opinion | HoffmanLabs LLC
Regretably yes, but not because  of VMS itself.  There is specific hardware tied to VAX (yes, I know), that is no longer available and spares are becoming scarce. 

The project is a factory control system that is better suited to PLC systems with a backend driver/collector.  Sadly, while a VMS solution would be easier overall in concert with PLCs, there is limited VMS experience at the site with that experience slated for retirement in the next year or so.  PLCs and some X86 servers will replace the old VAX systems.