RE: Re[2]: Programming tools (was DDS Support)

Jamie wrote:
>If it were possible to develop and sell AS/400 tools at
>"PC prices" and still make a living why hasn't some one
>already done it - they've had 10+ years and then all the
>allegedly high priced AS/400 tools would have to drop in
>price to survive.

As a contrast, look at the open-source movement.  Roughly
60% of all web servers in the world run on Apache, which
is available for free.  Roughly half of all web servers
run on either FreeBSD or Linux, both of which cost
nothing.  There are GUI workstation environments available
for free.  There are compilers and interpreters and other
software development tools available for free.  There are
even no-cost databases available!

What is my point, you might ask?  First, S/W tools don't
have to cost "an arm and a leg".  Second, direct monetary
payment is not the only reason for developing software.
Finally, if you've developed some tool that others might
find useful, why not make it freely available to others?
Other programmers would benefit and the AS/400 would
benefit.

Cheers!  Hans

Hans Boldt, ILE RPG Development, IBM Toronto Lab, boldt@ca.ibm.com


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