Re: sneak preview - BACKUP/REPAIR

Dave Froble wrote:

David J Dachtera wrote:
Dave Froble wrote:

David J Dachtera wrote:

Dave Froble wrote:


David J Dachtera wrote:


Dave Froble wrote:



David J Dachtera wrote:



...and, of course, we'd like to see that back-ported further than
possible (V5.5-2, V6.2[-1H3], V7.2-2, V7.3-2, V8.2[-1?]).


Here's the diagnose part of your backport.


Of course, I meant back-port the additional cod to the earlier versions
of BACKUP. There's already a DCL proc. on the freeware CD to do this.


I know what you meant. My post was a not subtle way of saying "go pound
salt". I really don't understand these types of requests.


You're obviously not effected by ISV abandonment that locks you into
V5.5-2 or such.

While that is an issue for some, there is no linkage to what VMS
development can/should do with old versions of utilities.


It's hard
enough keeping the current version of any software working. To ask for
a feature to be placed in an older version assumes that it can easily be
plugged in.


Well, no it doesn't. Speaking for myself, at least, I realize that code
- especially code as old as VMS BACKUP, even the current incarnation -
is likely not sufficiently modular as to allow for extension,
enhancement, etc. without a fair amount of work. I just don't dismiss
the possibility out-of-hand that it may be possible, and that those who
lag behind through no fault if their own would appreciate some
enhancements to their otherwise burdensome environment (say "DILOG",
"CMD", "CIQBA", "Emulex", etc.).



This assumption too many times will be invalid. To expect
an in-depth analysis of every prior version of any utility is asking way
too much.


A quick look-see would probably be sufficient to say whether it looks
possible or whether the "looker" shuddered at the thought of attempting
to tackle the older code.

No, a quick look-see is NOT sufficient. I cannot count the times I
broke something because of a quick look-see. Many times when someone
thought that their mod should be simple. Guess who is to blame when
something is broke?


"Looks possible" is hardly casting anything in stone, or commiting one's
self to an irreversible course.


Along the same line as "innocent until proven guilty", how 'bout
"possible until proven otherwise"?


No, it's more like not possible until proven otherwise. That proving
otherwise would include a through analysis of the existing app, what the
mod would do to existing capabilities, and a significant
re-certification of the application, including all capabilities, not
just the newly added capability.


Seems like a lot of work to go through for a simple "I told you so".

How much of your flying did you approach with the attitude "This crate
will never fly!" or "No way in hell!"? How many safely concluded flights
do you think you could you have conducted while holding such a mindset?

If I think the crate will never fly, it will take a large number of
really large guys to first catch me, and then stuff me in the crate.

Safe flights are conducted when you check everything out and insure

Did you mean "assure"?

yourself that an aircraft is airworthy.

Of course, like EDP, that's only one part of the puzzle.

For a flight:
o Will instrument skills be required?
o Is the aircraft instrument certified?
o Is the pilot instrument certified?

For mod.'-ing a program:
o I sthe code capable of being comprehended by a capable programmer?
o Is the programmer capable of understanding what it will take to make
the mod. successful?

Reads to me like you're shooting your own position in the foor. Do you
advocate reckless modification of software?

I advocate positive attitudes.

Zig Ziglar said it this way: "Positive thinking won't let you do
anything... but it will HELP you do ANYthing better than negative
thinking will".

--
David J Dachtera
dba DJE Systems
http://www.djesys.com/

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