Re: Learning java - any advice please? -- JAVA400-L

Pete Clifford wrote:

I've finally decided it's time I learnt java. I want to be able to write
client applications in java which interact with the AS/400.

However, I'm confused and unsure where to start.

First question. What software do I need to obtain and install on my PC to do
this? I thought I wanted VisualAge for Java, but it appears the goalposts
have moved and it's now some flavor of Websphere I need. Can anyone tell me
precisely what flavor? I want to develop under Windows - learning Linux at
the same time doesn't sound like my idea of fun. And I think I need the
equivalent of what used to be called the "Enterprise Toolkit for AS/400".
What do I ask for to get the iSeries bits?

Second question. Where do I get this software from? Can I buy it online?
You'll probably say "yes", but wait a minute - I'm in the UK and I can't
find anything that looks remotely like what I want on the IBM UK online
sales site. And the website appears to be down at the moment in any case.

Third question. If IBM are so eager for grey-haired old RPG-ers like me to
switch on to this brave new world of java, why do they make it so
complicated?!

Any help gratefully received by a poor decripit S/38 guy who's almost ready
to give up before he's even started!

Pete

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I did a presentation on Java at a local Midrange User's Group. I don't claim to be a Java guru, but knowing where to go for information is half the battle. Here is a link to my personal page refering to that presentation:

http://www.kkennedy.net/imug/index.html

All of it may not be applicable right now, but pay attention to the "How do you get started?" section as well as the Resource links at the bottom of the page. The links should give you enough information to keep you busy for the next year or so! Hope it helps, Good Luck!

Ken K.