RE: Why we don't use procedures more (was MOVE opcode in freeform

Mike wrote:
>I know i can personally relate to this.  RPG is all i've ever done.  I get
>the urge for java now and again, but i get so caught up in trying to
>understand polymorphism, inheritance, encapsulation, etc? that i never
make
>any real progress.  i get frustrated and stop till the urge hits again.
not
>to mention those { they drive me crazy.

That's why I recommend Python if you want to learn OO.  Forget
everything you've seen in Java.  Forget those fancy 5 and 6
syllable words - they're not important.  Learn Python, and
you'll learn all you need to know about OO.  Don't worry, it's
a very easy language to learn.  (<http://www.python.org/>)

The problem with Java (and even more so with C++) is that many
of the concepts the language forces on you are there simply to
make the job of the compiler easier.  Compilers like strong
compile-time type checking, thus they force unnatural things
like interfaces and upcasting on the programmers.  Go to an
interpreted OO environment, and much of that baggage disappears.

I'm not advocating throwing away all your RPG skills.  However,
I do advocate learning OO techniques since I believe knowledge
of OO programming can improve your skills, even in procedural
languages.

Cheers!  Hans

Hans Boldt, ILE RPG Development, IBM Toronto Lab, boldt@ca.ibm.com