I think many of the same arguments for RDi and RPG apply:
o- Tokenized source (colored);
o- More lines of source visible at once;
o- Context-sensitive help (i.e., based on where the cursor is
when you press help);
o- Multiple sources open at the same time;
o- Outline view (Yes, it only outlines to the section and paragraph
level. RPG will outline down to the individual fields, etc.
However, this is still better than no outline at all;
o- Integrated debugger. Service entry points (SEPs) are worth
the price of admission (i.e., the learning curve);
o- Content-assist (control+space) (Again, this isn't to
the level our RPG brethren get, but it still can be
very helpful;
o- Far more advanced moving/copying lines of source;
o- Multiple views of the same source member open at the same
time--all editable and synchronized. (I love this one.
I'll have the top view showing my Working-storage, a
second view open showing a mainline paragraph, and sometimes
a third view open showing lower level paragraphs/procedures;
o- Did I mention the integrated debugger? Even without SEPs
I would hate to have to go back to debugging the old way.
(Some would argue there's another graphical debugger available,
but that's not the same tool I use to edit my source. I don't
think you should underestimate the value of being able to
debug and edit a source member without having to change the tool
you're working in.
These are just a few off the top of my head. Another worker here feels
their productivity (in COBOL) has easily more than quadrupled since they
switched to WDSc from SEU. Also, the application diagrammer and screen
designer show great promise--we haven't made the leap to RDi yet.
cobol400-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx wrote on 11/12/2009 01:00:09 PM:
----- Message from ssc1478 <ssc1478@xxxxxxx> on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:
44:33 -0500 -----
To:
cobol400-l@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject:
[COBOL400-L] COBOL & RDi
We're near completion rolling RDi out to RPG programmers. Next is to
roll
it out to our COBOL programmers. Is there documentation somewhere that
explains in COBOL-speak the advantages that RDi gives over SEU? (I'm
not a
COBOL programmer.)
Thanks!
Phil
midrange.com
