Re: IBM pushing Java

["Simon Coulter" <shc@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hello Booth,

Excellent choice of words!  Brittle fits the bill perfectly.  This is a good 
reason to consider moving to RPG 
IV.  Local scoping of data, prototyping, and functions all contribute to robust 
applications in a manner not 
achievable with global variables, indicators, and branch points.

Object-orientation is the next step.  Java (and other languages) provide an 
environment conducive to OO but 
as others have mentioned it still has a way to go from a business perspective.  
The big advantage Java has is 
focus.  Many companies are trying to improve it and provide business oriented 
beans.  Many programmers have 
adopted it as a better C++ ('cause they don't have to learn a new syntax).  
These two facts will contribute 
to the success of Java.

>From a /400 perspective current programmers need to consider learning OO 
>design -- the language is easy but 
if you are one of the many programmers who has contributed to the brittleness 
of existing applications then 
you need to learn new design skills before new language skills.  Monolithic 
Java is possible and helps 
no-one.

I realise that almost all of the OO philosophy can be implemented in any 
programming language but it's easier 
in an environment designed for it.

Regards,
Simon Coulter.

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//--- forwarded letter -------------------------------------------------------
> X-Mailer: MR/2 Internet Cruiser Edition for OS/2 v1.50 b48 
> Date: Sat, 20 Mar 99 12:06:54 -0500
> From: boothm@ibm.net
> To: MIDRANGE-L@midrange.com
> Reply-To: MIDRANGE-L@midrange.com
> Subject: Re: IBM pushing Java

> 
> I have a question along these lines:  I refer to much of the old code that I 
>see as being brittle.  I don't 
know exactly why I started using that term but it does seem appropriate.  Touch 
something, and something 
breaks somewhere else.  change a line of code and suddenly some whole section 
starts behaving differently. 
> 
> Have others noticed this?  Does this word make sense to others, or am I 
>speaking badly?  It is important to 
me because I feel we must constantly fight against this brittleness or suddenly 
we have applications that are 
no longer useful or repairable.  Its usually at this point that I hear the "We 
need some PCs to do this" 
speech.
> 
> 
> In <199903200957_MC2-6EB2-7239@compuserve.com>, on 03/20/99 
>    at 09:56 AM, John Carr <74711.77@compuserve.com> said:
> 
> 
> >BTW,  With that management attitude,  How come you still aren't useing 
> >RPGII ?    And I bet they are the same Management who complain about 
> >their applications are getting older.
> 
> >John Carr
> >EdgeTech
> 
> -- 
> -----------------------------------------------------------
> boothm@ibm.net
> Booth Martin
> -----------------------------------------------------------

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