RE: SQL vs. traditional I/O?

   I think this is a good place to discuss this topic.  The implications are
   the same for COBOL programmers as well as RPG programmers.  The issue is
   not the language, but the mode of accessing data; SQL vrs Traditional. 

   I know that I have not moved to all SQL data access, but there have been
   times when an SQL statement in my COBOL program simplified the logic. I no
   longer have to do selection (If Fielda = "such and so" then do) and read
   every record in a million or so file,  when I can have SQL get me all
   records where Fielda contains "such and so".  I then only have to
   update/report/delete those records that SQL has made available to the
   program.

   Jim Essinger
   Senior Programmer/Analyst
   SLFI/IMA/UnLtd
   208-452-4058 ext 133

   At 01:18 PM 7/22/2004, you wrote:

     > From: Bob Cagle
     >
     > Note: I understand SQL has its place; web programming, etc.  I just
     > don't see the need to switch over 100% to SQL.  What am I missing?
     Why
     > should I use an SQL select statement versus a simple chain to a
     logical
     > file?

     Bob, this is indeed a can of worms.  Also, the discussion might be
     better suited for the RPG list, but very soon I hope to have an even
     better place to discuss it.  I've created a new online forum at the
     following URL:

     http://forums.plutabrothers.com/IAAI

     This is the forum for the iSeries Application Architecture Initiative,
     and its sole purpose is to answer just those sorts of questions.

     The site has in beta testing for about a week, and I hope to bring it
     live by the end of the month if not sooner.  If you go there now, you'll
     only have access to the public forums which are currently empty, but you
     can get an idea of what the site looks like.  The members only forums
     have a little more content, but are currently invite-only.

     I'm opening the beta up to more people so if you (or anyone else reading
     this message) would like a password, drop me an email with the first and
     last name you'd like, and I'll send you a user ID and password and you
     can start asking the questions.

     The site is going to be used to address technical concerns, provide
     benchmarks, and in general provide real, quantitative answers to the
     questions we've all been asking about SQL vs. native, servlets vs. CGI,
     Java vs. RPG, the whole gamut.

     I'd love to have some more participants, so anyone who is interested,
     drop and take a look.  As I said, the site will be open shortly, but if
     you want to get a jump on the game, drop me a line:

     iaaiadmin1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

     Joe