RE: RPGIII compiler vs Visual Basic

> From: Steve Richter
>
> CLI ( common language infrastructure ) is the .NET value add that no
> other platforms have.  It is a specification that all .NET languages
> adhere to which enables class code written in one language to be
> referenced from an assembly and used in the code of another language.
>   CLI and assemblies are what make it possible for a function written
> in C++ to be used in a java program.

My big objection to this phrase is the fact that, while OS/400 has no
explicit CLI, you have been able to do inter-program calls for decades,
with bidirectional parameters, no less.

My problem is that CLI is that from what I've seen it's all class-based.
Only languages that adhere to a strict class-based syntax can play.
That's a pretty serious limitation, since not all code needs classes.
In fact, as we've shown over the years, quite a bit of really excellent
code can be written without classes.

But in any event, while CLI is nice, I consider the inter-program
capability of OS/400 to be more than sufficient.  Where you need class
interaction, I think the RPG/Java syntax is a reasonable solution.  Not
as elegant as CLI, but without the restrictions either.

Joe