RE: Java versus RPG on iSeries

So Basically what I've been hearing is that:

1) Java can't really be as fast on the iSeries (AS400) as RPG (at least as
easily as RPG can currently).
2) Java has more long-term benefits - such as OO object-Oriented and
therefore is more in-line with other technologies whereas RPG/ILE is as far
is it is going.
3) There may be some sacrifices in performance using Java and it will be
necessary to use GUI in Java - No Green Screens.
4) In order to stay up-to-date with technology and not feel like a dinosaur,
from a programmer's perspective, it is foolish to not begin using Java on
the iSeries in some way.

I realize that there are a lot of RPG programs out there, just like COBOL.
I don't hear of any NEW COBOL developers.  Any programmers I hear who used
to do COBOL either just maintain them as they phase them out as well as they
get involved in newer languages.

I definitely don't want to see RPG get in the same place as COBOL and find
myself being a dinosaur.

Based on all of this discussion, what would you suggest ?

Develop Java on the iSeries and to what level ?  I am working with a team of
developers with Cold Fusion/C#/asp/ experience as well as iSeries (AS400)
technologies and we are assigned to investigate the prospect of designing
applications using Java on the iSeries.  Isn't there an additional benefit
of accessing CSQL databases ?

-----Original Message-----
From: Dieter.Bender@t-online.de [mailto:Dieter.Bender@t-online.de]
Sent: Tuesday, September 17, 2002 1:03 PM
To: java400-l@midrange.com
Subject: Re: Java versus RPG on iSeries


On Tuesday 17 September 2002 22:12, you wrote:
> Hmm... to this I could respond, harsly.... but I will give facts.
>
> Fact:
> Lawson 8.0 currently on the Unix and NT platforms use cobol to run core
> logic. The presentation layer is either a GUI or JSP/servlets.
> Fact:
> Lawson 8.0 for AS400 (which is comming soon) will be RPG business logic
> with either GUI or JSP/servlets front end.
> Most applications that are used at medium to big company levels will be
> written in "older" computer languages becuase no one wants to do a
> complete re-write of all code.

And here is the problem for all this plattforms. The applications on
Mainframe are 30 year old cobol programs, on as400 30 years old rpg programs
and on windows there we would have 20 years old basic applications, if they
would run on top of the new boxes. Unix was near to death with its ancient c
applications.

> That would take forever. You may not know
> this but Microsoft tried to convert away from the AS400, they where for a
> while, but rumor has it that they are back on the AS400.

Sounds nice, but its saying nothing. Rochester and Toronto are doing their
work on windows platforms and you can't run an as400 without the windows
stuff; you have problems to configure your as400 without Oops Nerv.

> Yes, RPG is
> proprientary to AS400 only, but there are enough programs written out
> there that are in RPG and problably won't change for a long time. Remember
> how people said cobol is going to die? Is it dead yet???

If you would have a look to the market for consultants, yes cobol is dead
and
rpg is dieing!

--
mfG

Dieter Bender


DV-Beratung Dieter Bender
Wetzlarerstr. 25
35435 Wettenberg
Tel. +49 641 9805855
Fax +49 641 9805856
www.bender-dv.de

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