[Info-vax] Logical names, was: Re: Command Procedure Pipe output to a variable

[Dave Froble]

On 10/8/2021 2:07 PM, Simon Clubley wrote:
> On 2021-10-08, Stephen Hoffman <seaohveh at hoffmanlabs.invalid> wrote:
>>
>> As for the use of logical names in managing apps, the sheer unmitigated
>> joy of having some logical name silently and out-of-band defined
>> somewhere else utterly derailing production processing in some weird
>> way is something I will always treasure, of course.
>>
>
> Perhaps what we need is a schema for logical name tables so that
> only expected logical names can appear in a table. :-)
>
> On a more serious note, does anyone else wish you could attach a comment
> to a logical name definition so that you could see in SHOW LOGICAL
> what the purpose of a logical is ?
>
> The comment could also include the valid values as well if the logical
> is used for configuration.
>
> Simon.
>

To first address Philip's comment, anyone with sufficient privs can 
define a logical name.  There is no other controls.

So then I ask, just why do we design and write programs with specific 
controls on what can be done?

Say an Accounts Receivable system has an application for applying 
payments.  That would include updating cash, decreasing what is owed, 
and such.  There is a specific design to be followed, and enforced. 
Someone getting a check and throwing it into cash without decreasing the 
receivable would be chaos.  Using a logical name for the cash G/L 
account might occur to someone, but, lends itself well to corruption and 
theft.

So while a logical name for defining where the A/R files are located 
might be reasonable, not following the design of the system is not 
reasonable.

Logical names can be used to good purpose, or, they can be used for 
chaos.  Your choice.

Many tools can be used for both appropriate and inappropriate jobs. 
Hammers for screws might work, but not well.  Screwdrivers for nails 
doesn't work too well, if at all.

As for logical names, Simon has a point.  More so for inappropriate use. 
  Not so much for appropriate usage.

I do like Steve's example.  The possibilities, and chaos, are endless.

:-)

-- 
David Froble                       Tel: 724-529-0450
Dave Froble Enterprises, Inc.      E-Mail: davef at tsoft-inc.com
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