Re: IBM pushing Java - Converting from RPGIII to ILE RPG -- MIDRANGE-L

As far as converting from RPG III to ILE RPG I would say it depends on whether 
or not you are using canned software
in which you are planning on staying current.

We are a BPCS shop.  We plan on staying current with their software.  I would 
not convert any of their software to ILE
RPG, even if I had plans to modify it.  It adds another wrinkle to release 
upgrades and compare utilities.

Now, software that we've written as add on's I would definetly embrace ILE.  I 
see a major productivity, maintenance
and speed improvement.  The CVTRPGSRC is a good tool to get started.  In fact 
we sometimes recommend it to a well
trained individual who has the question 'how do I do this in ILE?'.  Sometimes 
it is easier for them to grasp then
'go read the manual'.  After we contracted for education (Jon Paris), the 
people here have been eating it up - even
the normal feet draggers.




74711.77@compuserve.com on 03/20/99 10:31:09 AM
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Subject:        Re: IBM pushing Java



RE:     Re: IBM pushing Java

>>John Carr <74711.77@compuserve.com> wrote:
>>>If you're not using the new functions of the RPGIV language(built-in's 
>>>using API's,  Procedures, etc) and are still only using RPGIII
>>>I for the life of me don't know why.   If you're an RPG person


>I can tell you why I'm not.  We're an RPGIII shop.  All of our
>applications are RPGIII.  None of the vendors have introduced RPGIV
>into any of the applications we are currently supporting.  Our
>management will not approve the use of RPGIV until they need to, and
>at that time all of the RPG programmers will be trained in RPGIV.  I
>cannot just start using RPGIV when no other programmers here have
>?learned it, as it would raise maintenance concerns should someone else
>need to go into the program to change or fix it later.  Now with Y2K
>testing and the recent purchase of another hospital we'll need to
>bring onto our systems, I doubt we'll be trying to tackle RPGIV this
>year.  Believe me, I'd love to learn and use it if I could.
>Terry Herrin

""Our management will not approve the use of RPGIV until they need to""
Get the rest of the programmers to convince them that "They Need To"

Here is how we handled the "Skill set" issue.   When ever we touched
a RPGIII program for a fix or enhancement(even just one line of code)
We first ran it through the CVTRPGSRC into RPGIV (BTW I doubt Management
would ever know)  Then fix or enhance the program. 
That way It's the same program, just RPGIV.  All programmers ONLY see
RPGIV.  None of the "Am I in RPGIII or RPGIV" ,  "Does this work here?"

Your staff ONLY sees RPGIV code.   Don't convert them all in one swoop 
to RPGIV.  But if a change is to be made,  First CVTRPGSRC, Make change,
then Compile.  

NOBODY will even notice.  We did this one program at a time, etc.
Now EVERYthing we touch is RPGIV,   

Programers only have to know ONE syntax.  

Its not that hard.    "Gotta Wannta"


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
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