Re: AS/400 RPG Certification Test -- MIDRANGE-L

Rob,

I agree, it may seem trivial to know the intricacies of every opcode, but it 
can pay off when you need to do something and you don't have to waste time 
finding the best way to accomplish the task.  For example, why waste time 
creating a sub-procedure when a new bif accomplishes the same task.  We have 
used the certification to push our new programmers.  Not knowing what will be 
on the test forces them to study all aspects of programming.

As far as some rules of thumb on using procedures, I would set some standards 
first.  To establish those standards I would recommend reading the ILE concepts 
manual, as well as the ILE RPG manuals.  News/400 also has an RPGIV style forum 
that is pretty good.  The standards that I have found most useful are:

Exported procedures or values are unique across our entire system.
Procedures are used in only one program or service program.  (One exception, 
our initial sign on program)
Binding source is used for all service programs.
Like procedures are grouped in a single module.
Prototypes are used on all calls.
Each module has a corresponding prototype member with the same name in 
QPROTOSRC.
Wherever a default can be established the procedure should use *OMIT and/or 
*NOPASS.
An error flag is returned from each procedure unless the value returned can be 
used to determine whether an error occurred.
CONST is used for all parameters that cannot be modified.
The parameters for a procedure are completely described in a heading for each 
prototype.
Everything but our menu interface program uses *CALLER.  (One exception, our 
trigger and DB modules).
Service programs are grouped as universal, universal system functions, 
universal application functions, database, and application specific (Order 
entry, A/R, etc.).

I would be interested to hear other peoples recommendations.

David Morris

>>> Rob Berendt <rob@dekko.com> 09/03 8:24 AM >>>
There is some arguement for knowing some of this stuff instead of just looking 
it up.  Many of use read the new manuals 
right away.  Jumping to the sections 'what is new for this release'.  It's when 
I have to show someone with a few years
experience in RPG what the SETLL operation code is that I think certification 
would provide a higher level of confidence
in the programmer.  Does the RPG certification require renewal like the CCP 
does, (unless you were grandfathered)?  I work with some sharp people but there 
is always someone that would not do something new if you pointed a gun to their 
head.

I am starting to do all my new stuff in ILERPG but have yet to figure out how 
to do a procedure.  God knows I want to.
Purchased the ATS courses but they stop short of procedures.  I mention this 
for two reasons.  One, maybe the RPG 
certification is the challenge I need to get up to snuff.  Two, any 
recomendations as to how to learn procedures, activation
groups and what not?  The new op codes, eval, record layouts, 'D' specs, etc 
were pretty simple to figure out.




peteh@inwave.com on 09/02/98 10:36:52 PM
Please respond to MIDRANGE-L@MIDRANGE.COM@Internet 
To:     MIDRANGE-L@MIDRANGE.COM@Internet 
cc:      
Subject:        Re: AS/400 RPG Certification Test

At 08:56 09/02/98 -0500, Richard Baird wrote:
>Ken,
>
>I took the test, got a 92. (woohoo)


I suppose at some level these tests are fine, but I really question their value 
for anything but the lowest skill level. I write several different languages, 
and currently two different dialects of RPG. It' just not possible to keep it 
all 100% straight. For the more esoteric things (which indicators do what for 
TESTN? How do you find the system name for an SQL table? What the ~@!# is the 
op code for rollback this week?), I look it up in the manual. Life's too short 
to worry about this crap. You'd have to be an idiot savant. I think it's much 
more important to know how to quickly find that obscure bit of info than it is 
to be able to recite it on command. A good programmer can quickly shift gears 
and adapt to whatever environment is at hand. I'll always prefer someone who 
can think over someone who can only recite.

Pete Hall
peteh@inwave.com 
http://www.inwave.com/~peteh/ 

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