RE: EJB versus RPG/COBOL

Joe,

My Java applications certainly don't know about library lists or use
any extensions but they do point to the right library list for data
access. In use an exit program (written in RPG). In agree that you
should avoid secondary platforms and In would avoid them more if it were
in my power but In have to live with the platform choices of others. RPG
does support have some support for operational descriptors,  but it is
very limited. Look at the RPG programmers wish list that is published
each year and you will find that programmers want many convenience
functions added to the language. This type of support would allow anyone
to build BIFs. In know you can emulate most of what Java does in RPG and
In have been down that road but In prefer the real thing.

My point was that Java is very flexible and that flexibility is more
than most programmers will ever need and was just trying to address your
comment that "The ability to change the way a Java application works
based on database flags is quite limited."

David Morris


>>> joepluta@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 3/10/2004 2:57:36 PM >>>
...You're only able to use library lists in Java if you're using
iSeries
extensions.  JDBC certainly doesn't support them, so I'm at a loss as
to
what this statement means... 


> A bigger challenge is not
> with the language or library lists it is with shared authentication
> between platforms.

Which is butt simple in a pure OS/400 environment and hard as hell in
a
heterogeneous world.  All the more reasons to avoid secondary
platforms
if possible.


> As far as flexibility, RPG can use pointers and
> pointers to pointers but doesn't support interfaces, proxied access,
> parameterized types, reflection, or a mechanism to use parameterized
> types.

I don't need a single one of these things to be built into the
language
in order to write business applications.  For example, what in the
world
do you need reflection for?  And Java's support of types is really
poor,
and it won't be that much better in Tiger.  As to interfaces, I can do
a
real good job of simulating those myself, as I can indeed with just
about any feature of Java. 


> For most business code pointers to pointers and proxies are
overkill.

And for all business applications, EJB is overkill.  What's your
point?
I agree that some of the stuff the compiler folks have put into RPG is
not necessarily making business development easier, but so what?  Some
of the stuff really does work great.  If you're trying to sell me on
Java as a better language than RPG for developing business rules, then
you need to go find another customer.  I spend most of my time writing
tools and doing UI stuff, and I'll still outcode you with RPG any day
of
the week on any typical business transaction.

Joe