Re: Why not use VA/RPG -- MIDRANGE-L

Joe, I learned VARPG too but it took me two weekends.  *lol*

Joe, I quite agree.  Writing client/server applications that are full GUI 
applications is fast and relatively easy.   The idea of dropping a list 
box or subfile "part" onto a canvas and have it actually work was a real 
mind-blower for me.   I had trouble with a couple of concepts though. One 
was the idea of the event-driven program model.  As you start using it 
your mind will start showing you neat new ways to present data to 
endusers. Another was the versatility of the tool with it's ability to 
include sound and image files, multi-line edit for comment fields, Boolean 
fields, other windows for presenting other data, real drop-down boxes, and 
selectable subfile records for processing.

Here's what I learned real quick though.  Do inquiry-only applications at 
first,  or at most, simple data gathering programs.  It is real easy to 
update/delete a lot of records in a real hurry.  (How I come to know that 
is not a funny story.)  Plus, the real impact in my experience is for the 
inquiry-type stuff anyway, for non-data entry staff.  The other thing I 
learned is why client/server hasn't taken over the world.  You really need 
to put a version number & date on every single thing you do.  It is a pain 
in the butt.

By the way, Meyers & Sutherland's book is a couple of years old.  There's 
a whole boatload of additional stuff you'll love available now.

_______________________
Booth Martin
boothm@earth.goddard.edu
http://www.spy.net/~booth
_______________________




Joe Teff <joeteff@earthlink.net>
Sent by: owner-midrange-l@midrange.com
01/16/2000 05:03 PM
Please respond to MIDRANGE-L

 
        To:     midrange-l@midrange.com, RPG List <rpg400-l@midrange.com>, 
Craig Andersen 
<candersen@solonis.com>
        cc: 
        Subject:        Why not use VA/RPG


I sat down this weekend and learned VisualAge for RPG using "VisualAge
for RPG by example" written by Bryan Meyers and Jef Sutherland. While
I'm not an expert after one weekend by any means, I don't see any reason
why I could not write an application using this. I used the straight
TCP/IP option through the Internet to access an AS/400. I'm interested
in hearing from people who have tried VA/RPG, especially those that have
tried to roll out real applications.

(I posted to both midrange-l and rpg400-l as I'm not sure which list
would be better for this question).

Joe Teff


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