Re: Application modernization - any experieence

I completely agree with Joe's analysis of the pros & cons of field-mode
vs. block-mode.  Furthermore, block-mode is much easier to adapt to
other UI technologies (most notably HTML-based) than field-mode.  Now
that you know UI technologies can become obsolete, why tie yourself
into a specific one by imposing this restriction?

And since I can't control the urge, I will insert my shameless plug:

----- BEGIN Shameless Plug -----
Shahar - your list of requirements looks like a shorthand version of
the requirements for Jacada Innovator (requirement 3 included, field-
mode excluded).  Why don't you give us a call to see if we can work
together?
------ End Shameless Plug ------

Nimrod


> Hey all,
>
> I have a vell constructed big ile rpg application. The logic and the
> presentation are seperated  .
>
> My goal is to use java to modernize the application with the following
> principles:
>
> 1. Maximum reuse of current logic is a must.(budget :))
> 2. The presentation layer should match the current
>    display files BUT only with items not with behaviour. (Use the same
> fields on the screen but with "field mode" and not block mode).
> 3. Can be done in stages. That is, on first stage can we change some
> presentation and use current "green screens" for other parts(i know is
> sounds weird..).
> 4. Since the logic is RPG based portability is not a requirment.
> 5. Should be ready for future distributed object technology ??
>
> Where do i start from ? i read the papers describing several pardigms
> but i'll be glad to get some reponses from people with the same
> problem.
>
> TIA for any input on this issue.
> ---------
>
> Shahar, this is exactly what I taught when I was in Israel with you, with
the
> exception of the "field mode" vs. "block mode" issue.  First, what
exactly do
> you mean by field mode, and why is it important?  Even in block mode, you
can
> write field-level validation routines by simply subclassing the text
fields used
> in JbuiEntryField.  But if you're looking to do validation against the
host on a
> field-by-field basis, then I think your design approach is wrong.  Let's
say
> there are 20 fields to be edited, and some have relationships to 2 or 3
others.
> You would have to code a server for each of those fields and
relationships.
> Instead, with block mode you edit the entire screen at once.  Block mode
is MUCH
> less network-intensive.
>
> And as I said, other than that, you've basically laid out step by step
the
> redeployment model I spoke of when I was in Tel Aviv, except that since
then
> I've begun to look at WebSphere as the Internet graphical interface.
>
>
> Joe




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