RE: X-Spec (was: "RPG isn't cool")

<G>  See you've "Been there, done that"

And the RPG folks are screaming for pointers!

Bob

-----Original Message-----
From:   Joel Fritz [SMTP:JFritz@sharperimage.com]
Sent:   Wednesday, May 12, 1999 1:48 PM
To:     'MIDRANGE-L@midrange.com'
Subject:        RE: X-Spec (was: "RPG isn't cool")

I believe you're right about the nastier bugs.  For a level playing 
field
you'd have to make some rules about the use of pointers.

-----Original Message-----
From: Bob Crothers [mailto:bob@cstoneindy.com]
Sent: Wednesday, May 12, 1999 5:56 AM
To: 'MIDRANGE-L@midrange.com'
Subject: RE: X-Spec (was: "RPG isn't cool")


Joel,

I suspect I could right a nastyier program in C than in RPG.  Or, at
least one with nastier bugs.

Can I write a "cleaner" one in RPG vs C?  I don't know.  Both being
procedural, it would probably be a toss up.

Bob

-----Original Message-----
From:   Joel Fritz [SMTP:JFritz@sharperimage.com]
Sent:   Wednesday, May 12, 1999 10:58 AM
To:     'MIDRANGE-L@midrange.com'
Subject:        RE: X-Spec (was: "RPG isn't cool")

I think there are advantages and disadvantages to both.  I learned C++
before I learned RPG.  Probably because I'm lazy and not the sort of
person
you'd want your kids hanging around with <g>, I like RPG for rapid
development.  A lot of things you need to code in C/C++ are done for
you in
RPG.  File IO is the best feature, but SELECT and CLEAR are pretty
darned
good.

As far as logic and structured programming are concerned, I'm not sure
there's much difference.  It's one of those "nut behind the wheel"
things.
It's not hard to write a C or C++ program that has all global
variables ,
does everything in line, and uses GOTOs.  BREAK and CONTINUE--LEAVE
and
ITER's cousins are *not* considered last resorts in C.  There's also
the
vice of terseness where things that could be stated clearly in 3 lines 
of
code are crammed into one line even though either way would compile to 
the
same executeable code.  (RPG does have matching record indicators,
though.)




-----Original Message-----
From: Bob Crothers [mailto:bob@cstoneindy.com]
Sent: Wednesday, May 12, 1999 1:38 AM
To: 'MIDRANGE-L@midrange.com'
Subject: RE: X-Spec (was: "RPG isn't cool")


The main drawback of C for LOB (line of buisness) type programs is
file I/O.  On the AS/400, it is very weak.  This means Database &
device IO (screens, print files, etc).

But, for logic and structured programing, it is great.  And if you
move up to C++, it is MUCH MUCH better.  C++ is to C the way ILE/RPG
is to RPG II.

And I know for a fact that it does not take a reasonable RPG
programmer very long to learn C.  The syntax is different, but the
concepts are not.

C++ is not such an easy step because it adds the "object oriented
programming" model into the mix.  That means not only new syntax, but
fundamental concept changes also (but VERY worth it).

Bob

-----Original Message-----
From:   Rob Berendt [SMTP:rob@dekko.com]
Sent:   Tuesday, May 11, 1999 5:18 PM
To:     MIDRANGE-L@midrange.com
Subject:        RE: X-Spec (was: "RPG isn't cool")

I remember having an online discussion years ago on the old NEWS/400
bulletin
board with Paul Conte about his constant haranguing of RPG.  While he
felt that
RPG had many drawbacks he felt that it was a better language for
business programs
than C was.  Was it just database or was it something else?






bob@cstoneindy.com on 05/11/99 05:05:41 PM
Please respond to MIDRANGE-L@midrange.com@Internet
To:     MIDRANGE-L@midrange.com@Internet
cc:     

Subject:        RE: X-Spec (was: "RPG isn't cool")

Instead of making RPG more like C, how about making C more like RPG?

Before everybody starts throwing flaming emails, stop and think about
it.

What is the best part of RPG?  The Database IO.  In RPG, it So easy to 
use and very effective.

What is the bad part of RPG?  The fixed form and highly structured
stuff.  Short names.  Etc.

What is the good part of "C"?  Highly flexible, free form, multiple
data types, and stuff like that.  What RPG is bad at.

What is the bad part of "C"?  Database!  The database support, well it 
sucks.  Hard to use...hard to manage...and harder to figure out!

But, the rest of "C" is very good.  And, it is not hard for an RPG
programmer to learn C.

Then you don't have to worry about "breaking" RPG.  And to give
descent Database to C, you only have to add some functions.

Just a thought...I'll go back into lurk mode.

Bob

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