Re: Help us migrate to ILE RPG

We currently used IBM built-in utility to convert from RPG/400 to RPG4.  The 
other tools are very nice but can create runtime errors.

For example,  if you ADD 1  to a 3,0 field with a value of 999, no error is 
produced and the field will roll over to 000.  If you change the same logic 
with a purchased tool the code will convert to
Eval field = field + 1 since field = 999 before this will produce a runtime 
error.  IT WILL NOT ROLL OVER!!!!

Also checked with the various vendors and they are aware of the problem but 
do not have a fix or at least tell you that there maybe a problem.

seblain@czn.com

----Original Message Follows----
From: D.BALE@handleman.com
Reply-To: RPG400-L@midrange.com
To: RPG400-L@midrange.com
Subject: Help us migrate to ILE RPG
Date: Tue, 16 Jan 2001 12:50:00 -0500

First of all, I would recommend that you *start* converting RPG-III to 
RPG-IV
and not concern yourself with the ILE aspects.  It is a much easier step to
take than going full blast on the ILE boat.  I think it's safe to say that 
the
majority of RPG-IV shops in our area do not use ILE, based on discussions 
with
my colleagues.  Others on this list will probably disagree with that
assessment, but then, you have a lot of forward thinkers on this list and I
doubt it represents the RPG population as a whole.

If you were designing from scratch, then I would say to learn the ILE stuff
right up front so that your design is more easily implemented.  Since you 
have
to convert an old system with a "large project backlog" and that "must not
break", I would not recommend jumping into the ILE aspects.

JMO.

Dan Bale
IT - AS/400
Handleman Company
248-362-4400  Ext. 4952

-------------------------- Original Message --------------------------
We are a small shop (3 programmers, 1 manager).
We need to convince management on cost benefits of
migrating to ILE.  (time justification is what they
want the most)

We have very limited knowledge currently of ILE concepts,
and new enhancements in ILE RPG over RPG3 (RPG400 ((non-ILE
RPG)..)
but part of the migration plan is to get new standards in place
and learn the concepts (We are making good progress on this.)

We have very old code we are maintaining and must not break.
We are a 24-7 shop, and have a large project backlog.

ok, I have shown that we are not different than 80% of the
other shops out there.

We need a good place to find a concise, accurate plan of
time, and material we need to perform the migration to ILE.

We only want to take immediate advantage of a few ILE features
right away. Long field names, max files (no, we cannot re-write
those huge apps), change some programs to service programs that
are called all over the place.

We think we need the following items to move ahead.
1) the concise answer the following question.
        "What parts of RPG3 will NOT work in ILE RPG?"
2) programming standards, style standards for our shop
3) a tool to perform the conversion
4) a complete timeline-milestone chart of the conversion project.
5) a benefits list.

Can You please either e-mail me what information your shops used
in this process, or direct me to the best places I can find to
get this information.

Thank You

Gerald Magnuson
Knapheide Manufacturing Company
Quincy Il.
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