Re: framework question -- JAVA400-L

New JDK has enhanced BigDecimal to allow  arbitrary precision and provide
several rounding modes. I have not used it but it appears to be more
powerful in business processing than what we have in RPG. I hope performance
is improved too.



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bartell, Aaron L. (TC)" <ALBartell@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: "Java Programming on and around the iSeries / AS400"
<java400-l@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, June 30, 2004 2:44 PM
Subject: RE: framework question


> >In what world is this a good idea?
>
> Basically what I am looking for is exactly what you have provided me.  I
> need a list of places where each language will fall short or exceed, and
> before now I was only getting "Java should not be used for business
logic".
> But now I can go back and research your specific concerns and see if I
will
> have the same issues.  Have you worked with the Java Toolbox's BigDecimal
> classes and the like (concerning your fractions of a penny problems)?  I
> figured if IBM produced those classes with the iSeries in mind that they
> would make sure they facilitated all its needs.  I am assuming you have
> because I think I saw that you are affiliated with JTOpen.
>
> >I've written more RPG than a good percentage of RPG programmers...
> I guess I took you for a Java guy until just recently (past year or so).
> What is your history with RPG?
>
> Aaron Bartell
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: java400-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:java400-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx]
> On Behalf Of Joe Pluta
> Sent: Wednesday, June 30, 2004 2:46 PM
> To: 'Java Programming on and around the iSeries / AS400'
> Subject: RE: framework question
>
> > From: Bartell, Aaron L. (TC)
> >
> > I want to pick on the "...and flexibly..." in that sentence.  I have
> > wondered for some time why Java couldn't be used for business logic if
> you
> > used it in the same capacity as RPG ILE would allow you.  Basically
> you
> > could translate that sentence to say "Couldn't you just write
> procedural
> > modular Java?".  People too often assume that when you go Java that
> you
> > have
> > to develop everything to a purists OO standards, and that just isn't
> the
> > case (as I know from coding my first years worth of Java :-)
>
> Nigel and Marc are talking about OO Java, with special focus on
inheritance.
> It is my firm conviction that in most cases inheritance is the wrong tool
to
> use when building business objects.
>
> You're running off in another direction.  Sure, you could use procedural
> Java.  But WHY?!?!?!  "Procedural modular Java" is equivalent to
> "interpreted RPG that doesn't have native support for decimal arithmetic".
> In what world is this a good idea?
>
>
> > My view on Java would be that you should use it where it works good
> for
> > you;
> > and the only way you are going to find that out is by trying it in
> > different scenarios.
>
> Which I have, probably more than most people.  I've written more RPG than
a
> good percentage of RPG programmers and more Java than a lot of Java
> programmers, and I may have written more of both combined than just about
> anyone.  So I think that probably gives me a right to an opinion.
>
>
> > I don't see why Java couldn't be good at business logic, but in the
> > same breath, I have only developed a handful of JavaBeans that do
> so.
> > Most of my Java work is communications layer stuff because Java was
> the
> > obvious answer in that arena.
>
> Try it.  You won't like it.
>
> Especially try doing some hard calculations.  For example, try to write
some
> good old WIP materials costing, making sure not to lose any fractions of
> pennies along the way.  Or triangular currency conversions.
> You'll go blind.
>
> Joe
>