Re: Java versus RPG on iSeries

Daniel,

On Tuesday 17 September 2002 18:52, you wrote:
> Dieter,
>
> <snip>
>
> >> but the great disadvantage is: every s*** (edit)
> >> (yes I mean s***) (edit) ever programmed in rpg runs today without any
> >> change.
>
> I had to re-read several times before I realized the wisdom of your post.
> If I understand you, you suggest that because RPG is so completely downward
> compatible, it discourages change.  We see this thinking *all the time* in
> our shop. Our MRP package should have been put out to pasture *years* ago
> (we patched it to be Y2K).  Because it continues to work, we dismiss any
> new implementations as too expensive because, after all, we already have a
> system that sort of works.

It's even worse. One of the main arguments for rpg compared to java is
performance. RPG applications are optimized to use as few ressources as
possible, they would run on the same systems they ran 20 years ago, why not,
they were written 30 years ago. Nobody would need a new as400, as long as his
old runs.
What does IBM to sell new boxes? They invent CFINT to slow down new boxes,
they keep their prices high and they sell rather old hardware for very new
prices.
What's the result? For modern applications, Web Serving, Client Server
applications and java the as400 is outperformed even by Wintel Boxes. If I
compare servlets running on my 170 (used price 7600 Euro = $) under WebsFear
to same Servlets running on Linux and Tomcat (new price 1000 Euro = $)...
(edit)

Dieter

>
> RPG is increasingly in danger of missing "disruptive technologies"
> (Christensen: The Innovator's Dilemma) that will eventually (and must)
> increase the cost of ownership of RPG.  As the code base ages, the increase
> of the cost of maintaining that code base is exponential.  Why are so many
> Fortune 500 companies implementing Linux?  Simply, the cost of ownership is
> significantly cheaper than traditional other models.
>
> Simple question to all:  Are your businesses the same as they were say five
> years ago?  Ten years?  I work in the aerospace industry; it is *not* the
> same as it was even a year ago.  September 11 significantly changed the
> rules.
>
> If we don't adapt to new technologies, we will not survive. We must use IS
> as a strategic differentiator to get products to market faster than our
> competitors, to manage our marketing programs, and reduce our overall cost
> per transaction for orders.  Our reliance on RPG is holding us back as we
> continue to nursemaid an already ancient codebase to help us meet our
> strategic goals.
>
> dan
>
>
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--
mfG

Dieter Bender


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