Re: Can a tool help this situation?

< if you are doing this  for Y2K purposes then the tools considerations are
< different  from just a business perspective.

Glenn,

   No, this is not a Y2K consideration.  All dates are in CCYYMMDD format 
so we're all set there.  In the past I've used PC tools such as 
Knowledgeware's ADW and Bachman, Uniface on an RS/6000, 
to create applications. These tools can graphically represent how programs
and files interact like a data flow diagram.  

  I was thinking of having a diagram of programs represented by boxes. A 
double click on one could show you files used and how.  Links drawn
between programs would be a call from one to the other.  Double clinking
on the link would show you the parameters passed.  

 One of the most challenging things to figure out about these programs is
the business logic or rules.  If a function could extract the text
description
of fields, assuming they're well defined, the text can be combined with 
english to describe what's going on. 

  Such a tool could also help to eliminate duplicate code which could
be placed either into copy member subroutines or callable/linkable
programs. It could also indicate a coding style that might need to
be improved.

  RPG IV is quite a bit more readable than RPG II, III.  With RPG IV,
it should be easier to create such a tool, unless one already exists.

  Marc Zylka (mzylka@netpath.net)




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