[Oorexx-bugs] [ oorexx-Bugs-2767433 ] External function registration 'lifetime'

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Bugs item #2767433, was opened at 2009-04-15 21:12
Message generated for change (Comment added) made by miesfeld
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Category: External Functions
Group: v4.0beta
Status: Open
Resolution: None
Priority: 5
Private: No
Submitted By: Brian Jongekryg (jnairb)
Assigned to: Nobody/Anonymous (nobody)
Summary: External function registration 'lifetime'

Initial Comment:
In previous releases, I could register several external function packages one time per IPL (on Windows XP) and all REXX scripts started after that would have access to those external functions without needing to re-register. Now, each program must register external functions itself. 

For example, in one program, I run, one time, after IPL:
  call rxFuncAdd 'SockLoadFuncs', 'RXSOCK', 'SockLoadFuncs'
  call SockLoadFuncs

and all other REXX scripts have access to the RXSOCK external functions without doing the same.

Is this an intentional change from previous releases? I didn't see it listed in changes/readme.

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>Comment By: Mark Miesfeld (miesfeld)
Date: 2009-04-15 21:36

Message:
It is the consequence of an intentional change, that I suppose we didn't
really think about.

We did not anticipate that someone would write a program that required,
say the rxsock external library, and not register the functions in that
program.  That their program would rely on some external program,
hopefully, running first.  It would seem a little less than robust. <grin>

The loading of external function libraries is much improved.

1.) You are guarenteed that the functions are really available.

2.) It is much easier to load the external function library.

For the rxsock library you can load the external library using this
syntax:

::requires "rxsock" LIBRARY

See the rxftp.cls and the socket.cls that are part of the distribution. 
They both use the rxsock library.

The changes/readme does talk about the new native API, the new LIBRARY
keyword, and the new way 'required' packages are handled.

Maybe Rick can add a little more as to why the functions are not available
to other programs that do not require / register the external functions in
their program source.  I know in general why, but I get a little hazy
explaining it.  Rick can explain the details better.

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