Conference iosg::all-in-1_v30

OA$MAIL_SET_DRAWER and its brother, OA$MAIL_RESET_DRAWER, are "shorthand" 
functions intended to go and do something quickly in the mail subsystem. If 
you want to retain control over drawer context use the CABINET SET_DRAWER 
function.

	For example:

	GET #OLD_DRAWER = OA$CURDWR
	CABINET SET_DRAWER OA$MAIL_DRAWER
	Do some mail operations
	CABINET SET_DRAWER #OLD_DRAWER

Tony

    Hi Tony, 
    
    Thanks for your workaround.  The customer feels there is a bug in the
    functions and they would like to raise an SPR, I shall do this on
    Monday, unless it's already been reported.
    
    Regards,
    
    Sunil 

    I don't think there is a bug.  The documented method for navigating
    within drawers is the CABINET SET_DRAWER function.  That's what the
    customer should be using if they want their code to survive into the
    future.  Using shortcode functions that are built for the convenience
    of people developing (in this case the electronic mail) subsystems is a
    bad idea...
    
    IMHO, T

re .3

It's probably a documentation bug, as the books don't make it clear that these
functions are 'shorthand' designed for specific purposes, and to be used by
people who know what they're doing!

Scott

    Hi Scott,
    
    I liked your reply mate :-).  Well it's a bit of a catch 22 situation
    in some way.
                    
    If it's not documented correctly in "The book" how are people ment to
    know if they are doing the coding correctly ? So they cannot possibly
    be in a position to becoming people in the know :-).  As you said "to
    be used by people who know what they're doing!".  I am just having a
    bit of a laugh.  I sound like Mr. Appleby in "Yes Prime minister" :-).
    
    Could you or someone give us an example of the correct use of these
    functions so we can become people in the know.  Having read the
    documentation they aren't doing what they are suppose to as far as the
    customer is concerned.
    
    Tony I read your reply and I do agree with you in that the CABINET
    functions are probably easier to use.  However, if these function
    become unsupported/taken out in the future I feel that may not be a
    good idea because we will have some unhappy customers.  Reminds me of
    the NEWDIR function when I was involved in tailoring ALL-IN-1 2.%, we
    were told it would become an unsupported function !!!!  
    
    Sorry I am not having a dig at anyone, but it seems to me that the
    documentation and the fuctionality do not match.  I cannot go to a
    customer and tell them that's how it works unless they are "in the
    know". I am sure you would agree it doesn't sound right.  An example and an
    explaination would be very helpfull, I would hate to CLD a call for a
    trivial documentation problem as the customer has voiced his concerns.
    
    Regards,
    
    Sunil

    As long as Digital insists on finishing documentation before products
    are frozen there are always going to be cases where the two don't
    match.  As long as there are software engineers there are going to be
    undocumented shortcuts.  For example, the Windows API...
    
    Customers should play safe and use documented functions.  I even say
    this about CABINET SET_DRAWER in my V3.0 book (page 168) when
    discussing the OA$MAIL_SET_DRAWER and OA$MAIL_RESET_DRAWER functions.
    There's an example of OA$MAIL_SET_DRAWER on the same page, but the
    caveat still applies.
    
    I guess if documentation was perfect all the time then people like me
    wouldn't get the chance to write books about some of the undocumented
    corners...
    
    Tony

    Hi Tony, 
    
    Thanks for your advice as usual it was very helpful, I gave the
    customer the verbage from the book and he accpeted it.  I could
    not pursuade him to buy the book as he already had a copy.  The customer
    very casually said it must be Tony Redmond's book and accepted what I
    was saying :-).  I wish I could close my calls at the mention of my
    name :-).
    
    >Customers should play safe and use documented functions.
    
    The functions were documented !!!! Sorry I am just nit picking and
    having a bit of a laugh :-).
    
    I hope that you don't mind me quoting the botton line from your book so
    here it goes:
    
    "Do not use these functions when moving between nonmail drawers. Always
    use CABINET SET_DRAWER in case of doubt-or just to be sure.".
    
    And I'll add avoid them where ever possible the old trusted CABINET
    functions are robust.
    
    Thanks for your help and regards,
    
    Sunil

    I'm glad the customer accepted the advice.  From a previous life
    (working in a support centre -- it seems so long ago now), I know that
    any and all weapons are useful when closing calls quickly. If my name
    (in any shape or form) helps to close a call then please don't hesitate
    to use it.  Kind of..... "if you don't accept my answer and close the
    call then the Redmond boogeyman will appear late and night and take
    you away to never-DSAB land...."
    
    Being happy, Tony