Re: RPG vs. C

** Reply to message from David Gibbs <david@midrange.com> on Sun, 10 May 1998
17:28:10 -0500

> At 11:03 AM 5/10/98 , Don Kuenz wrote:
> >C is my standard language for writing software on PC and Unix platforms.
> >It would please me to use C as my standard language for writing software
> >on an AS400 platform, but it looks like RPG is the defacto standard
> >language because IBM includes RPG as a standard (free) compiler on all 
> >platforms.
> 
> IMHO, it's too hard to write APPLICATIONS in C... you have to do far too
> much work to accomplish the same thing you can do in a few lines of code in
> RPG.  Also, if my memory serves (Jon & Hans can correct me if necessary)
> the RPG compiler generates more efficent code than the C compiler.

Well, I have written some C and I'd have to say it isn't so bad. In the world
of ILE, I'd guess it is six of one, half a dozen of the other for compiler
performance (as they both reach pcode stage before compile).

C programmers have to do more work for file/field handling than RPG
programmers. But, if you are using embedded SQL (which a C programmer may be
familiar with from other platforms), there isn't that much to it.

That doesn't mean I'd suggest it as first choice, but if a guy has the C skill
and the option of putting a C compiler on, it is a consideration. 

Other considerations might include the likelyhood that any packages purchased
by your company will probably be in RPG. If you plan on supporting other
software within your enterprise, it will probably be easier just to move to RPG.


> david



Chris Rehm                                                    
Mr.AS400@ibm.net                                              
                                                              
How often can you afford to be unexpectedly out of business?  
Get an AS/400.                                                
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