RE: Normalization was Left AS/400 and Returned

[James Rich <james@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Tue, 3 May 2005 michael@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:

> Of course, a lot of RPG programmers don't use join logicals. Instead,
> they provide their own indexed file navigation by getting a value from
> one file, using that value to chain to another file, getting value from
> that file, chaining to another file...and on and on. There's a divide in
> AS/400-land...those that can/will use SQL or join logicals and want a
> normalized database, and those who have a series of indexed files and
> do their own navigation. Basically, if a programmer wants to use more
> modern techniques, the iSeries can support them. And of course, if a
> programmer still wants to code in RPG/II, they can. The ability to use
> 30 year old techniques is a 'feature' on the iSeries.

My experience with sql and RPG so far has been that SQL is a huge PITA 
when mixing with RPG.  MySQL and C is a much more enjoyable environment 
than SQL and RPG.  RPG by itself is great, but the current integration 
with SQL is awful in my opinion.  If others' experience is similar, maybe 
that helps explain why many iSeries shops use old school methods?

James Rich

It's not the software that's free; it's you.
        - billyskank on Groklaw