RE: API -> Commands

["Urbanek, Marty" <Marty_Urbanek@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I think IBM should provide commands for everything. Every command is
inherently an API, but an API is not a command. API cannot be called from
the command line, and most would be difficult from CL. What IBM has now is a
bunch of people in there who don't appreciate the power of being able to do
everything from a command line, and thus, automate anything via CL. They
believe it is more important expose a function via an API so it will be
accessible from a GUI client than it is to expose the function via CL so it
is accessible from a command line. I think both have merit, but I prefer
command line. Even if it is relatively simple to front end an API with a
command (which is only simple to programmers, that not all shops have), if
we all write our own commands to call various APIs, there is no
standardization.

IBM missed the boat on this the last few releases and they seem to be
backpedaling. I just read in iSeries magazine that hundreds of commands had
been added to V5R1, some in the context of this discussion:

"In some areas of the operating system, we had stopped creating new CL
commands, figuring that the GUI was all we needed for a UI investment. But
we're taking a more measured approach now, even to the extent of having gone
back and added some commands where we didn't do them originally. The point
of that is to allow folks to do functions using simple CL commands from
within their programs. In fact, we are continually enhancing and creating
new CL commands. We've added over 200 commands for V5R1 alone." (Quote from
Joe DiCecco, Human Factors Engineering, User Interface Design and Testing,
IBM, in iSeries Magazine, May 2001)

Rather than knocking IBM for screwing up, I applaud them for acknowledging
it and taking corrective action.

IMHO,
-Marty

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 25 May 2001 12:33:09 -0700
From: "ron hawkins" <hwarangron@home.com>
Subject: RE: API ->  Commands

<<If there's already an API that does it, how hard would it be to write
<<your own command?!

<<Doesn't seem like a very tough job.

Exactly! Doesn't seem like IBM should be wasting any time writing commands
that we can easily write ourselves. A better question might be "What API's
should IBM provide that they have not already?"

Ron
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