Re: Visual Age for RPG

["Chris Rehm" <Mr.AS400@xxxxxxx>]

John Carr said:

> What if you (being a RPG programmer) could generate Java byte code using
> VA-RPG?  I think that might be a Real Strong possibility in the near
> future!   Comming to a CPU near you.

I too have heard about this work going on. I do like it, but I have one 
reservation. While an RPG to Java bytecode compiler will be useful for 
RPG programmers to get platform independent code written, it isn't the 
full solution. 

One of the great advantages of Java is that it is an Object Oriented 
language. Coding in it is faster than coding in RPG. Coding in it is 
easier than RPG. There is a learning curve and a paradigm shift required 
to really learn Java (you can "cheat" in Java and just write giant 
procedural methods that don't take advantage of OO). I find it very, very 
difficult to code several hours in RPG and then try to jump right into a 
Java piece I am working on. I usually end up with poorly written Java.

The bytecode generator is an excellent idea and if produced will be a 
wonderful product to keep programmers productive. I certainly hope it 
comes to be. 

I also feel that people need to plan a transition to Java. Not this year! 
Java is much much easier to learn than C++.


> John Carr  CDP
Chris Rehm         
Mr.AS400@ibm.net   
You have to ask yourself, "How often can I afford to be 
unexpectedly out of business?" Get an AS/400.
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