Re: Software life cycle - was IF ACTIVE

>> I apologise to all for the rant, but would appreciate comments on how
>> others perceive the software life cycle.  How many applications designed 
in
>> 1975 do *you* think should be running today?
>
>None - but those of us who are asking for "equivalent CL" commands are
>the ones converting those 1975 apps :)

John, believe me, I hear you.  I converted S/3 m10 card to a m12 disk, then 
to CCP (online), then to S/38 and S/34, and again from the 38 to the 400; 
all for multiple clients.  I've done this sort of thing all too often. When 
I was 20, I marvelled at how easily the conversion went (all things 
considered!)  When I was 30, I was depressed at how much old code I had to 
constantly maintain.  Now that I'm almost 40, I realise that the old code 
means that I have to keep the old application structure, too.  (nerdvana?)

If I simply convert each program from S/3 RPG II to AS/400 RPG IV, they 
*will* run and they *will* maintain my "investment", but the application 
itself is still an antique.  When maintenance time rolls round, I'll be 
working on the same old fragile code as I was when it was on the S/3.  If I 
rebuilt the application, I could use the skills and tools that I've picked 
up in the intervening years to build a more robust application; one that 
will stand maintenance and modification a lot better than the converted 
application will.

Buck Calabro
CommSoft, Albany, NY
mailto:mcalabro@commsoft.net



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