Re: New RPG programmers -- RPG400-L

I have watched this thread and now I want to put in my 2 bits. I do not have, and for that matter will not have for quite some time, gray hairs - I am only 27. I am mostly a self taught RPG programmer with experience in III and IV - ILE(free and fixed format) who is constantly pushing other developers in the shop to use the new syntax, BIFs, programming style, etc with little or no luck. I unfortunately think most of the, pardon the saying, "oldtimers" will simply not change. As an example we have a developer here who is great with RPG but does not see the advantages to the newer RPG, procedures, free format, or WDSCi and unless forced to(read threat of being fired or IBM's removal of green screen and RPG III compiler) will not use them. We constantly get into discussions(O.K. disagreements ;-) ) regarding this topic and regardless what I say does not see the advantages. So what have I done - I write all new code in the new methods and only degrade myself when maintaining existing code.

I really think the core issue here is that of change coupled with a level of comfort. I think as a person gets older they are less likely to embrace change as they have acquired a high level of comfort over many years of doing things how they have, whether or not a better way exists. Further, most people who are in the later 1/3 to 1/4 of their career simply want to get through so to speak. They have already fought their battles and waged their wars why should they risk it now? Do a good job, stay under the radar, do not rock the boat, and retire.

Additionally, unless IBM makes serious efforts to entice universities/colleges/tech schools to offer RPG courses(as in give free training to profs, provide discounted, if not free, i5s, etc.) the only way RPG programming can stay alive is for companies to do the training. In my area there are no RPG training offering left unless you go through IBM, based on that how can we expect(or hope for that matter) to have young programmers come up with RPG skills?

Do I think RPG can/will die? Not anytime soon. Can it be denigrated and relegated to menial tasks because of a lack of skilled pgmrs and mis-perceptions? Yes. Do I want to see this happen? No, I believe there is a correct tool for every job and for almost everything iSeries related RPG is that tool. Alright I am off my soap box now.

jstevens@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:

Gray hair is just strting here, but I've programmed in RPG and it's successors for 20 years. (S/36 to iSeries). But I've got a BUNCH of gray hairs around me, all digging in their heals about even learning ILE, let alone any Java, VB, or (GASP!!) ILE Free form.

I figure that if I keep up to date on my skills, in RPG/ILE and something else (.NET, VB, 4GL, or JAVA) then I should be able to develop for quite a few more years.

At-lease I hope so - sure enjoy it.


Jeff Stevens
Mize, Houser & Co. P.A.
913 451 1882
JStevens@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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Re: New RPG programmers


No gray hairs here either (33 years old).  I've been involved with RPG
for about four years now, coming from a background in web development
and Visual Basic.

We grow our own programmers around here.  If someone shows an interest
in learning RPG, we teach them ourselves.  Obviously, that's going to
become an issue at some point (when we run out of people).

And we face the same problem as other shops with some programmers not
wanting to learn new techniques.  I hope it doesn't happen anytime
soon, but if IBM kills off RPG, those of us who like to learn will
move to whatever's left and others of us will be forced to retire.

Mike E.
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