Conference bulova::decw_jan-89_to_nov-90

2305.0. "Incorrect parameter types in DECW$X_.ADA" by GSRC::WEST (Variables don't, Constants aren't) Mon Feb 19 1990 15:11

  The following has been submitted as a QAR (Number 3987).  It is also posted
in the ADA conference.

================================================================================


  This is to address the problem with DECW$X_.ADA.  This issue is an extension
to QAR #3734.

  There are several Xlib routines that have UNSIGNED_LONGWORD_ARRAY as a
parameter where this type will not work.

  The above referenced QAR concerns XQueryColors where the return value
is an array of records, where the records are of type COLOR_TYPE.  In the
file that is delivered with VMS V5.2 and VMS V5.3 the parameter
SCREEN_DEFS_RETURN is of the type UNSIGNED_LONGWORD_ARRAY when in reality
this parameter needs to be an array of COLOR_TYPE.

  I understand some of the limitations with the code generated from the SDL
files.  What I would like to understand is, the process in which the file
is reviewed after it is generated.

  The file as it stands now will not work correctly with certain calls
until the customer makes the necessary modifications to it which then raises
problems since this file is supposed to be supported by Digital.

  I only know of the problems with the Ada package but I suspect that other
language DEF files have similar problems.

  What can be done about this ?  I for one volunteer to do anything I can to
help insure that these files are as correct as possible.  I work in the field
with customers who use this file and it can be quite embarrasing to have the
customer find these problems when these problems should have been taken care
of before the customer ever sees the development files.

  I'm currently making modifications to DECW$X_.ADA to fix all the parameter
problems I can find.

  Below is a list of the calls that currently have this particular problem:

	XAddHosts
	XDrawArcs
	XDrawPoints
	XDrawRectangles
	XDrawSegments
	XDrawText
	XDrawText16
	XFillArcs
	XFillPolygon
	XFillRectangles
	XPolygonRegion
	XQueryColors
	XRebindKeySym
	XRemoveHosts
	XrmParseCommand
	XSetClipRectangles
	XStoreColors


					-=> Jim <=-