FW: Java Vs RPG on iSeries

Chris Hanish,


1) it's possible but sure not as fast as RPG!  For batch processing you
could launch your current RPG-batch programs from within java-apps.

2a) If you need proof that java can do same as RPG, WebFacing will take
your complete application and converts it to the java equivalent (html -
servlets - jsp's etc...) WebFacing is included with the WebSphere Studio
for iSeries.  But, then you need a web-application server too...
Preferably WebSphere.

2b) If you want to step-in slowly, you could start by adding java code
to your existing app's.  Some specific tasks could be written in java
(we wrote a little mail-router to send AS400-docs to user-mailboxes in
Notes and a short one to create XLS-files from AS400 data) You can also
try VisualAge-RPG first.  This is also included in WebSphere Studio for
iSeries.  Together with Code400 it is part of the visual toolset for
AS400 developers, much, much better than PDM!  These VA-RPG projects can
also be converted to JAVA.

2c) We had these questions before too and after some meetings with
'specialists', we decided to start with java development immediatly.  Oh
Jee, if you don't know much about:
java/web-servers/html/jsp/servlets/sql/javabeans/http-servers/...
prepare yourself for a long learning time.

3) depends on what exactly you want: complete java-apps or web-access?
How many time you can spend on it? How long your boss can wait for new
project implementations?  How much money you can spend on it? and maybe
the most important thing: Are you (do you have a programmer who's)
patient enough to learn all previous topic's, search newsgroups and
other places for the many answers you will have?  You will sure
encounter frustrations which must be overwon!  Don't let them get you!

Hope you're not afraid to start now :-)

Sure, JAVA will be with us for a long time and I think you can't start
fast enough with it but, is it worth it?  Only time will tell,   other
hype's died silently before...

Take your time to evaluate all your needs, check out all possibilities,
try to see as much as possible demo's (also behind the scenes!) and if
knowledge is not in the house, check the possibillity to hire a
programmer with some skill's in some area's.  (beware, the more
knowledge, the more expensive he/she will be)


Patrick Goovaerts




-----Oorspronkelijk bericht-----
Van: java400-l-admin@midrange.com [mailto:java400-l-admin@midrange.com]
Namens Chris Hanisch
Verzonden: dinsdag 17 september 2002 16:55
Aan: 'java400-l@midrange.com'
Onderwerp: Posting Request on Message Board


I am investigating the possibilities of creating Java applications on
the iSeries and replacing some of the RPG applications.  I was wondering
if anyone else has had experience in replacing RPG with Java on their
iSeries and what some of the advantages and disadvantages are.

I'm concerned about:

1) Run Time/Performance.  Can Java be just as quick as sensible to use
for Interactive and Batch Programming ?
2) Is it sensible to still use Green Screen with Java and slowly convert
over to GUI interfaces ?  We are in need of developing a green screen
application using Java to show that Java can do the exact same thing as
RPG. Anybody know how easily this can be done or provide some sample
code ?
3) Are the advantages significant enough to warrant migration to Java on
the iSeries ?

If anyone has some information/experience on dealing with this, it would
be greatly appreciated.


Christopher P. Hanisch
Programmer/Analyst
MotivAction
"Achieving Results Through People"
Phone: 763-525-5218
email: chanisch@MotivAction.com



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