[Info-vax] DCL, DLM, APIs, RAS, RuleWorks, etc

[Arne Vajhøj]

On 10/27/2022 5:20 PM, Dave Froble wrote:
> On 10/27/2022 2:03 PM, Stephen Hoffman wrote:
>> The DLM API was and remains a nice box of parts arising from the 
>> 1980s, and does
>> still work and does work well, but the API is really showing its age.
> 
> Good ideas can have a length lifespan.
> 
> But I confess to curiosity, what would a better API for the DLM look 
> like?  I've used it from Basic, and anything one can use from Basic has 
> got to be rather simple.

Suggestions for best API is like suggestions for best programming
language or best editor.

:-)

I have no idea what Hoff want.

But if you want my take, then I think below would be good for 98% of cases.

Procedural:

lckid = lib$enqw(resnam, lockmode, flags)
...
lib$deq(lckid)

OO:

lck = new Lock(resnam, flags)
lck.get(lockmode)
...
lck.release()

Obviously something additional would be required for the 2% with
advanced requirements for async, but there are newer ways to
do async as well.

>> Also showing OpenVMS development's longstanding proclivity for 
>> flexibility over
>> usability, combined with the avoidance of having opinions, but I digress.
> 
> Three cheers for flexibility ...

Itemlists are not that bad. Sometimes the flexibility is really nice.

API's with itemlists just tend to come with a learning curve.

Arne