RE: doing things backwards

It seems to me you're talking about calling RPG from java.  I'm talking
about calling java from RPG.  We've talked about the obvious ways--java pgm
writes to file, java pgm writes to dataqueue, RPG pgm calls stdout APIs.  I
was curious if there were a simple way to call a java pgm from an RPG pgm in
the manner of a normal dynamic call.
--------
And unfortunately, the answer at this time is no.  My current wishlist is to be
able to compile a Java class and invoke it as a service program or bind it as a
module.  Of course, there are some issues with that; do you instantiate a new
object?  With a parameterless constructor?  Or can you pass parameters on the
invocation?  Or do you have to invoke a static factory method?  I can see how
there might be some issues on merging the static "object-based" world of OS/400
(at least the part we application programmers see) with the true object-oriented
nature of Java.  And of course, there's the issue of bytecode interpretation at
runtime; I'd guess that causes some concerns for the security folks.  Since the
bytecode model is documented, could this allow the entrance of hackers and
viruses?

I'd love to know what IBM's take is on all this.  I'd just like to know what
their direction is; it would certainly allow me to be a more vocal advocate of
server-side Java than I am today (and those who know me know I'm an absolute
fanatic on the subject of client-side Java - I only wish I could be so fervent
on the other side of the connection).

Joe Pluta
http://www.zappie.net/java
"Where the AS/400 speaks Java with an RPG accent"
Home of PBD1.2P, the FREE Java/400 Client/Server Toolkit


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