The Life and Times of Jim |
Hi, there. I'm Jim. Welcome to my phlog! This site was written for Las Vegas, then LouisVille. Now, it seems to be about anywhere. In these phlogs, you'll see a lot of my personal notes and pictures. I like to post my observations here to remember life and celebrate it. I'm not religious. I don't pray for good fortune. I'm ecstatically grateful for the gift of life and I think our time should be remembered and not taken for granted. I'm not a writer. I think pictures tell stories so much better than words. I love just about everything in this life, and, I guess that would have to include you. So, if you've seen me, don't be surprised if your picture is in here somewhere. Of all the critters, people are absolutely the most interesting. |
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07/30/2009 18:28:36 jim Moon, Pa - Jimmys Restaurant | Thu |||||||||||||||||||
07/26/2009 14:49:15 jim Ross, Pa - Mad Mex | Sun |||||||||||||||||||
07/26/2009 10:02:16 jim Work Places | Sun |||||||||||||||||||
07/25/2009 16:59:56 jim Washington, Pa | Sat |||||||||||||||||||
07/25/2009 16:07:24 jim Eighty Four, Pa | Sat |||||||||||||||||||
07/25/2009 10:50:44 jim Out and About | Sat |||||||||||||||||||
07/24/2009 17:48:21 jim More about C Data types | Fri ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
#pragma EXTENSIONS #include Best practices. Don't use int. use long or short instead. Put environment specific functions in an #include Avoid HP specific, and C extensions to data types if possible. Use unsigned only for short and long.
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07/24/2009 17:48:20 jim ..AWAITIOX - C Example | Fri |||||||||||||||||||
Hahaha...there probably are...none of which were caught by the compiler. I'm having to get familiar with C and Tal, since they are usually bound into Cobol programs. I'm just glad I don't have to review the MUMPS language! I'm supposed to be overseeing a full system recompile and its never been done. After compiling what seems like a million programs, I'm seeing warnings all over the place, with no idea what is normal. I'm both the new guy on the block, and I'm a short timer. This has been keeping me up at nights. This is going to be a killer month for me. 4 weeks and 2 days, and it'll be time for another 8 week vacation...yeah!!! |
07/24/2009 17:48:20 jim (Reply)AWAITIOX - C Example | Fri |||||||||||||||||||
!From http://docs.hp.com/en/524521-012/524521-012.pdf, Page 157 #include <in.h> C / TAL Comparisons (Using SEND_NW as an example): C Synopsis, used for data type comparisons #include <....lost in html conversion> #include <...lost in html conversion> error = send_nw (socket, nbuffer_ptr, nbuffer_length, flags,tag); int error, socket; char *nbuffer_ptr; int nbuffer_length, flags; long tag; Tal Synopsis, used for data type comparisons ?NOLIST, SOURCE SOCKDEFT ?NOLIST, SOURCE SOCKPROC error := send_nw (socket, nbuffer_ptr, nbuffer_length, flags, tag); INT(32) error, socket; STRING .EXT nbuffer_ptr; INT(32) nbuffer_length, flags; INT(32) tag; |
07/24/2009 08:36:18 jim Tal | Fri |||||||||||||||||||
-- This is a comment ! This is a comment ! This is a bracketted comment ! STRING - 1 bytes integer 0 to 255, EG STRING(2) x; is a 2 byte ascii string INT - 2 bytes, 0 to 65,535 or -32,768 to + 32,767. This can also be a string EG: INT twochars := "CH"; INT(32) - 4 bytes UNSIGNED(1~15) - n bits, 0 thru (2**n - 1) UNSIGNED(16) - 0 to 65,535, or -32,768 to +32,767. This is your standard address FIXED - 8 bytes, for FIXED(0) or FIXED(*) the range is -9 kazillion to +9 kazillion REAL - 4 bytes, precise to 9 digits REAL(64) - 8 bytes, precise to 17 digits INT(16) is the same as INT INT(64) is the same as FIXED(0) REAL(32) is the same as REAL Examples: LITERAL double_word = (4 * 8); INT (double_word) num; ! num is a INT(32) INT x := 4 ! x is decimal 4 INT x := %177 ! x is Octal 177 INT x := %B01010 ! x is Binary 01010 INT x := %B0000000000000010 ! x is 2; INT x := %B1111111111111110 ! x is -2 (using twos compliment); INT x := %H1A ! x is Hex 1A FIXED(3) x := 0.642F; ! x is 642000, the 3 shifts the decimal right FIXED(-3) x := 642945F; ! x is 642000, the -3 shifts the decimal left FIXED(*) x := 123 ! x is stored, not scaled BLOCK x ; ! Declare Global Variables INT flag := TRUE; INT(32) index := 22 ; END BLOCK ; BLOCK PRIVATE ; ! Declare Local Variables INT myflag := TRUE; INT(32) myindex := 22 ; END BLOCK ; PROC paragraph_x ; FORWARD ; ! Declares that paragraph_x will be out of compile sequence PROC called_program; EXTERNAL ; ! Declares that a paragraph can be found in a called program PROC paragraph_x (param) ; BEGIN INT param; END; PROC paragraphs_nested (param) ; BEGIN ENTRY entry_point ; ! Declares a programs entry point some code SUBPROC entry_subroutine(x) ; ! Declares a subroutine with a PROC BEGIN some code END; entry_point: some more code END; PROC myproc; BEGIN !Local data declarations SUBPROC some_sub (param); !Declare subprocedure INT param; ENTRY sub_entry; ! Declare entry-point identifier INT var; ! Some code here sub_entry: ! Apply entry-point var := var - param; ! identifier to statement some code ; ! Tal can get ugly very quickly END; ! End subprocedure some code !Local statements CALL sub_entry (1); !Call entry-point SUB_ENTRY END; PROC xx(v1,v2,v3); BEGIN...END; ...CALL xx(v1, !nothing!, v3) ! Comments help document ommited variables DEFINETOG omit ! some code ?IF omit some code ?ENDIF omit Sample compile statement: suppress octal code after each line, suppress all but header information, compile for syntax only and puts the errors in a file called xxx, and sets the omit toggle on TAL/in myprogram/;nocode, suppress, syntax, errorfile xxx,settog omit, Operators: x := 2 ! move 2 to a number x ':=' 'AB' ! move characters to a string x := @var ! x is the address of var .x ! convert x from a INT to the word address of another variable << ! Signed Left shift '<<' ! Unsigned Left shift + - * ! Signed operators for add, subtract and multiply '+' '-' '*' ! Unsigned operators for add, subtract and multiply = <= >= ! comparisons '=' '<=' ! comparisons (unsigned) <> ! Not equal According to the manual, you can do math on a string variable. EG: STRING x; x ':=' 'A"; x := x * 2; Go figure? |
07/21/2009 20:11:06 jim WestView, Pa - DPietros | Tue |||||||||||||||||||
07/20/2009 18:08:29 jim The Flame BBQ | Mon |||||||||||||||||||
07/20/2009 07:17:22 jim A week of Goodbyes | Mon |||||||||||||||||||
It was nice hanging with you guys. Goodbye for now: Jeff, Jennifer and Glen. We took Jennifer to the airport. She went to Vegas and we went to the Moon Township. We never got a good chance to take her to Mars. (I'm serious) While at the airport, Jen got into a little bit of trouble. It was her first time flying alone. She misplaced her ticket and her birth certificate down some place. A nice couple saw that she was in trouble and offered their help. In the end, the security office had her documents, and Jennifer and the couple flew off too Vegas. The couple was from...you guessed it, Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh people are the best! |
07/20/2009 07:09:09 jim Farm Jokes | Mon |||||||||||||||||||
07/18/2009 16:14:15 jim Coraopolis, Pa | Sat |||||||||||||||||||
07/18/2009 10:45:24 jim During Jens Last Day | Sat |||||||||||||||||||
07/17/2009 20:34:21 jim Homestead Square at Night | Fri |||||||||||||||||||
07/17/2009 20:33:31 jim Homestead - Jen, Becky | Fri |||||||||||||||||||
07/17/2009 16:35:51 jim A Cool Goodbye | Fri |||||||||||||||||||
I was standing outside, talking to my buddy as he loaded up his car with the last of his belongings from his cubical. We shared a smoke, and I watched him drive off for the last time. Standing alone, I felt a cold breeze at my back. In less than five minutes, the sky turned into an orchestra of thunder and lightening. The streets flowed with mud. When I left work soon afterwards, it was still pouring outside. I looked at the parking lot and I realized that out of the hundreds of people I work with, I was the last person to leave. I have five weeks and three days left on my contract. This past year has been full of magic. |
07/16/2009 18:16:39 jim Cabana Bar - Jeffs Going Away Party | Thu |||||||||||||||||||
Bon Voyage, Jeffrey We celebrated Jeff's goodbye party at the Cabana Bar (lots of fun). The Cabana Club has a thatch covered bar in an outdoors setting with sand, lots of tables, fire pits, and a water fall. After two drinks, we wanted something to eat. If you want food at the Cabana Bar, you have to order take out from the restaurant, and bring it down. That seems odd, since it is right next to the restaurant. County codes make businesses do some very odd things. So our next stop was Walnut Grove. The party broke up probably around 7 pm. It sure is nice having friends. It's been a fun year with you buddy! We celebrated at the Cabana Bar then went to Walnut Grove. These guys are the greatest! |
07/14/2009 21:49:45 jim Robinson Cracker Barrel - Becky, Jen | Tue |||||||||||||||||||
07/14/2009 06:50:55 jim So Sad to Say Goodbye | Tue |||||||||||||||||||
A fellow contractor got the axe yesterday. I'm going to miss him a lot. It's pretty common for us contractors to come and go. It can happen at any time and as a general rule it should be expected. For me, contracting makes the most efficient use of the time we have here; if there's work, I work. If there is nothing to do, I play. It's not like my fellow contractor did anything wrong. It's always difficult to say goodbye. But we'll bump into each other again. We picked a high paying profession. We knew we'd be travelling a lot. We knew we'd be changing contracts every year. There's always the chance that when we come in, all of the security codes will be changed, and we'll be out of work. We knew we'd be giving up our rights of employment and we signed them away. While the road, I've lost loved ones, forgotten what it is like to have a home, and I can't say for sure who I've become. Last year I lost my fortune. I could never do this alone. To contract nationally, you have to give up a normal livestyle. It's an exchange. You trade familiarity for a broad spectrum of knowledge and experience. And I've got to say, I've met some GREAT People along the way. |
07/13/2009 20:26:02 jim West View - Football Fields | Mon |||||||||||||||||||
07/11/2009 19:42:04 jim Splashes of Kennywood | Sat |||||||||||||||||||
07/11/2009 19:18:24 jim Kennywood-Fountains | Sat |||||||||||||||||||
07/11/2009 17:47:46 jim Kennywood-Becky,Jen | Sat |||||||||||||||||||
07/11/2009 17:33:48 jim Kennywood-Views | Sat |||||||||||||||||||
07/11/2009 15:35:13 jim Kennywood-Rides | Sat |||||||||||||||||||
07/11/2009 15:32:32 jim Kennywood-SkyTram | Sat |||||||||||||||||||
07/11/2009 08:04:12 jim Wexford Apt Critters | Sat |||||||||||||||||||
07/10/2009 20:55:53 jim New Castle - China Buffet | Fri |||||||||||||||||||
07/10/2009 20:30:34 jim New Castle - SummerFest | Fri |||||||||||||||||||
07/10/2009 20:24:54 jim New Castle, Pa | Fri |||||||||||||||||||
07/10/2009 18:59:06 jim Boating in Moraine State Park | Fri |||||||||||||||||||
07/10/2009 18:47:22 jim Moraine State Park - Lake and Sky | Fri |||||||||||||||||||
07/10/2009 18:04:18 jim Moraine State Park - Jen, Becky | Fri |||||||||||||||||||
07/10/2009 18:03:38 jim Moraine State Park - Beach | Fri |||||||||||||||||||
07/09/2009 12:51:12 jim Somewhere in Pa | Thu |||||||||||||||||||
My Cubical Area - To some it may sound strange to actually enjoy their job, but me, I love mine. There is a feel of comradery here. There is humor, excitement, and a feeling of importance I get when I'm working in my cube. Contractors generally don't get much attention on the job. We usually sit, read, code, test and document. Our contacts exist in the form of emails, instant messages, and word documents. But this contract is so very different. I actually understand most of the system at this point. That is because, to the people, I'm not just a body, I am a real, live person. And these people, no matter how far they get promoted, they know the system's nuts and bolts. Today, an analyst pulled up a program by its number, moved through the code, and called it up by its server name (not so cryptic). There are over a thousand programs in the system I work with, and he had this one memorized. Many of those who worked on this system have been promoted levels beyond programming. I will miss this place and these times. From Becky, Jennifer and myself, I'd like to express a special appreciation to Jeff, Lonnie, Georgia, Cynthia, Cindy, Arden, Rob, Scott, Dave, the people at Ericsson, and all of the people that we've met in Pennsylvannia so far. Pennsylvannia is beautiful by itself. Add you guys to it, and it is my heaven. Too bad it all has to end. |
07/08/2009 16:19:04 jim Soergel Orchards | Wed |||||||||||||||||||
07/06/2009 09:47:26 jim Apt Critters | Mon |||||||||||||||||||
07/05/2009 16:34:06 jim Pittsburgh Cemetary | Sun |||||||||||||||||||
07/05/2009 15:14:27 jim Jim, Becky and Jennifer | Sun |||||||||||||||||||
07/05/2009 13:46:28 jim Shadyside, Pa | Sun |||||||||||||||||||
07/04/2009 21:38:36 jim State Pt Park - Fireworks | Sat |||||||||||||||||||
07/04/2009 20:27:19 jim State Pt Park - Three Dog Night | Sat |||||||||||||||||||
07/04/2009 18:45:36 jim Boat Races | Sat |||||||||||||||||||
07/03/2009 20:26:22 jim State Point Park - Becky, Jennifer | Fri |||||||||||||||||||
07/03/2009 19:48:46 jim Forbes, Pa | Fri |||||||||||||||||||
07/03/2009 19:47:08 jim Pittsburgh, Pa - Bldgs | Fri |||||||||||||||||||
07/01/2009 20:12:22 jim Vestal Park | Wed |||||||||||||||||||
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