Re: New list proposal - OSS400 - iSeries open source software

Hoi Martin

I signed your guestbook and downloaded DBG400. ou responded with another
email.

About OSS for iSeries, I have a few suggestions.

1. Using os/400 commands combined with *OUTFILE or API's to gather data ??

The easiest way to gather information is using os/400 commands with parameter
*OUTFILE. But on the other hand when one uses these "*OUTFILE" files in a
program, especially when internally descibed, one encounters problems when
switching to a new release for there is a good chance the record-length and
record-layout has changed.
The guide-line I use is:
When there are API available, use API's. Allthough the use of API's increases
the development time but decreases the maintenance time, because API are less
sensitive to release-updates.  Another advantage of API: they are fast.
As far as I know, using API's is a way to work around the need of licensed
programs.


2. A tool is only usefull when accompanied with installation instructions and
some kind of user manual. (like your DBG400 that even has a installation
program)


3. Unlike Linux os/400 is not for free. The iSeries knows a lot of licensed
programs. Try to work around those licensed programs, like I mentioned in the
last line of suggestion 1.
Besides the sources the objects (precompiled version of the sources) should
be available for download.

* - * - * - * - * -


Kind regards and be so kind to keep me informed


NN-Solutions BV, Netherlands (System-, softwarehouse)
Ben Thijssen, Systemmanager/programmer

On Tuesday 08 January 2002 23:51, you wrote:
> Hi folks
>
> I've approached David (Gibbs) about the above and he's asked me to do a
> quick survey to see what interest there would be.  I've a number of
> reasons for wanting such a list so I'll throw it open for discussion. Can
> you mail me direct with your thoughts, rather than clutter up the list,
> and I'll follow up with a summary here in a few days.
>
> Likely topics:
> o General discussion on open source software for the iSeries
> o Merits/suitability of licenses, particularly as they apply to the
> iSeries
> o Updates & announcements for iSeries OSS projects
> o Requests/suggestions/offers for new or existing projects
> o Bug reports, questions etc
> o A more appropriate venue to continue some of the threads on the
>    existing lists maybe?
> o ???
>
> Of course there are some personal reasons for wanting the list :)
> There are quite a number of people involved in similar projects and
> generally the code is just available for direct download. With no
> requirement to register we just have to rely on people revisiting our
> sites to spot that updates, etc are available. If there's just one common
> list they can subscribe to it's easier to keep up to date - much like
> these lists for current iSeries info. As David already has the
> infrastructure in place (sign-up page, archives, etc) I think it would
> make a good (independant) venue.
>
> Thanks for reading so far, and particularly to those that follow-up.
>
> Regards, Martin