Re: Select Columns in Left Margin

[jays@SUN4.MITI.COM]

     I know this has been out in the listserv a while, but I'd like to
     offer additional information beyond what's already been said (in
     short, that this is the way it is, and that MITI might be fixing it in
     a future version, at least a little bit).

     Along with the 'inches only' problem often brought up by our
     international clients, the 'silly indentation rule' is something I
     hear about quite often.  A not-too-difficult resolution is to create
     a simple SQR preprocessor which accepts SQR in a slightly different
     format and then reformats it into standard SQR.  This would be utterly
     trivial to write, depending of course on exactly how you chose the
     preprocessor rules.

     If you did this, then you would _write_ SQR like this:

        begin-setup
        declare-layout abc paper-size=(~CM~21.6, ~CM~27.94) end-declare
        end-setup ! should be 8.5x11.0 if I remember my conversions right
        . . .
        begin-select
          +firstcol
          +secondcol
            add 1 to #cntr
          from tabname
        end-select
        . . .

     The preprocessor would look for that ~CM~ and the + at start of line
     inside begin-select/end-select paragraphs.  These don't have to be
     the symbols used, (~CM~ and +).  They are simply a suggestion.

     It could make the code more readable.  To run, simply write a script
     or batch or command proc and have it run the preprocessor and then
     SQR.  Easy, really!

     I find this solution quite appealing especially for companies that
     consult with SQR (or have their own customers for whom they use SQR).
     The preprocessor adds some convenience and makes the company look good
     to the customer (e.g. the preprocessor would mention the company's
     name at run time).

     Jay Sax
     Manager of Education, MITI


______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Select Columns in Left Margin
Author:  SQR-USERS@usa.net at Internet
Date:    4/3/96 5:24 AM


Does anyone know why you have to place column names at the left margin in
SELECT paragraphs? The User's Guide explains that it is to differentiate
column names and commands. Couldn't there be a more aesthetical solution? A
structured program in SQR is because of this an oxymoron...

Have I perhaps overlooked any "work around" of this matter?

Orjan Nordlund
National Council for Crime Prevention Sweden