Re: Left AS/400 and Returned

["Brad Stone" <brad@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Mon, 2 May 2005 16:53:20 -0700
 Alan Campin <Alan.Campin@xxxxxxx> wrote:
> 
> 
> So my questions, why the hell can't we write an
> applications that clean on the AS/400? We do we have to
> continue writing 10,000 line monolith programs to deal
> with abnormal databases?
> 

Alan,

First, let me say that the platform used has nothing to do
with the normalization of databases.  What you saw was a
great example of someone with the knowledge and authority
(or persuasion to authority) to do it "right" from the
start.  It just happened to be a non-iSeries group.

Second, I hate to say but I agree with what you have seen
on the platform is similar to most I have seen.  People
create applications at the same time or BEFORE they even
get the DB designed.  Which, is bass ackwards.

The bandaid process starts, snowballs, etc.  

But, what's worse than working with someone with no DB
design experience, is someone who is simply "book smart" on
the subject, but never appied it.  The prior will at least
listen and try to understand, but the latter will not.

In every shop I've worked with, I would say you're lucky to
have 2 out of 10 that understand how to at least halfway
normalize a database.  I believe a lot of it has to do with
the fact that programmers aren't tought DB design.  The
"fast track" teaching coding, syntax and not much more.  Or
are "super users" thrown into an IT position because they
know how to use Query/400.

That's where you will find, again, that the smaller
percentage are programmers vs. coders.  I find it an
absolute JOY to work with programmers, but working with
coders, well, isn't much fun.

The best part is, you befriend the programmers and end up
playing texas holdem with them frequently and arguing
programming topics, not coding topics.  :)  

Not to mention, coders are too easy to bluff on the river.
 ;)

Brad