[Info-vax] Hard links on VMS ODS5 disks

[Dave Froble]

On 7/18/2023 10:01 PM, Arne Vajhøj wrote:
> On 7/18/2023 9:25 PM, Dave Froble wrote:
>> On 7/18/2023 8:47 PM, Arne Vajhøj wrote:
>>> On 7/18/2023 8:34 PM, Dave Froble wrote:
>>>> On 7/18/2023 1:13 PM, Arne Vajhøj wrote:
>>>>> I am pretty sure that if VMS kernel had most Macro-32 and
>>>>> Bliss code rewritten to C, then VMS kernel would be
>>>>> smaller than just systemd. :-)
>>>>
>>>> I have to wonder why you think re-writing in C would be "smaller" (whatever
>>>> that is) than what's there today?
>>>
>>> Same functionality implemented in different languages
>>> result in a different number of lines of code.
>>
>> So, you're talking about source files?
>
> Yes.
>
>> Do you also claim that the executable code would also be smaller?
>
> No.
>
> Arne
>
>

Then, what would be the benefit?

For example:

         Stat% = SYS$QIOW(       ,                       !  Event flag &
                                 Ch% By Value,           !  VMS channel &
                                 IO$_ACPCONTROL By Value,!  Operation &
                                 IOSB::Stat%,            !  I/O status block &
                                 ,                       !  AST routine &
                                 ,                       !  AST parameter &
                                 Temp% By Desc,          !  P1 sub-func code &
                                 URL$,                   !  P2 URL string &
                                 RetLen%,                !  P3-return len &
                                 IP$,                    !  P4-output string &
                                 ,                       !  P5 &
                                 )                       !  P6

The above is rather easy to understand, from some perspectives.  Would it be 
"smaller" if strung out on one line?  Sure.  Would it be a bit harder to 
understand?  Most definitely.  Prone to mistakes also.

Compilers, assemblers, and such ignore the "white space", so it really doesn't 
matter to the executable.  However, the white space and comments can make code 
easier to understand, and avoid mistakes.

So, what's the issue with larger source files?

-- 
David Froble                       Tel: 724-529-0450
Dave Froble Enterprises, Inc.      E-Mail: davef at tsoft-inc.com
DFE Ultralights, Inc.
170 Grimplin Road
Vanderbilt, PA  15486