Re: newbie question on cobol syntax

In article <JrSWh.116487$aG1.66743@pd7urf3no>,
James J. Gavan <jgavandeletethis@xxxxxxx> wrote:
docdwarf@xxxxxxxxx wrote:
In article <1177272149.938765.13260@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>,
Mayer <mayer.goldberg@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Hello:

[snip]

Can someone please explain to me the function of the period in cobol,
what is the basis for the difference in syntax, and what is
recommended.

[snip]

(Even the term used to define this particular bit of punctuation varies
from one group to the next; some adherents to a primitive language which
serves as a basis for a bit of what Americans speak will insist on using
two words ('full stop') to describe it, rather than the one ('period')
which can be found in citations as early as the seventeenth century...
their reasons for doing this are still unknown but they are, at times,
*most* insistent.)

Very insistent, us folks from the 'Mother country'.

Yes, quite insistent... and the reasons, as noted above, are still
unknown. Time passes, terminologies change - not much talk of women
having 'the vapors', is there? - and yet this particular bit still rolls
on.

Not sure of origins,
but in days of telegrams :-

'WILL BE LEAVING BY FLIGHT AC 124. STOP. PLANE ARRIVES CALGARY 13.05
LOCAL TIME. STOP'.

See above and the OED, Mr Gavan... the use Americans make is first cited
in 1609, not too many telegrams back then.

(note to Mr Goldberg - this was pointed out to this newsgroup a half-dozen
years ago, see
<http://groups.google.com/group/comp.lang.cobol/msg/f5a18356c2cad15b?dmode=source>


Same sort of thing using teleprinters in military to send signals :-

'FROM C-IN-C MEAF TO AOC-IN-C IRAQ. STOP. FOR UK EYES ONLY. STOP. YOUR
A12345 12 SEPTEMBER 1954. STOP. GOD HELP US WHEN THE YANKS TAKE OVER. STOP.'

See above, Mr Gavan... teleprinters postdate telegrams (shouldn't that be
'telegrammes'?) and both postdate Davies' used in the early seventeenth
century by a goodly time.

[snip]

Another interesting one from TV. Do you know the origins of 'freelance' ?

Off the top of my head I'd say it might be related to samurai traditions.


BTW - Afterthought. You refer to hiring agencies as those 'pimps' Don't
disagree with your conclusion/description. However, if a pimp is trying
to gain you useful paid employment does that make you an whore (or in
line with Imus an 'ho') ?

No more than one is trying to change one's hat-size by visiting a
'headshrinker' or expecting an amputation from one's annual visit to the
'sawbones', Mr Gavan.

DD

.

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