RE: Multithreading: was Java Vs RPG on iSeries

> From: Dieter Bender
>
> Feel free to send an eMail to my adress when this situation is
> coming, maybe we can share some code (even CL or RPG)

I look forward to the opportunity, Dieter.  If I ever get a chance to get
back on the application architecture side of things, I can already see
places where this will help.  Remember that I'm always whining about MRP
generations; well, with a proper architecture, I'm beginning to see how MRP
generations can actually be multi-tasked both horizontally AND vertically,
at the same time.

The horizontal segregation occurs at the bill-of-material nesting level -
that is, how deep the item is nested inside of other bills.  Raw materials
are processed first, and so on up the chain.  If you process the most-used
raw materials first, and then move on to the least-used, you can start the
next level before the first level is complete.

At the same time, you can do simultaneous vertical generations of different
warehouses and distribution centers.  With a proper architecture, you can
even do this using totally independent databases on different machines.  Of
course, you'll add the overhead of the communications, but what a wonderful
ability to be able to run a mass MRP over independent sites!  Not only that,
you can theoretically include data from your customers and/or vendors, to
provide full supply chain management capabilities.

It's not entirely clear to me all of the interactions, but I think if this
problem set were properly analyzed, it could serve as a model for any other
parallel business applications, and at the same time it would really speed
up those generations.

Wow, now you've really gotten me excited about the concept - now I just wish
I had the time to do it!

Joe