RE: Is CFINT IBM's way of getting rid of RPG?

>James Kilgore:
>
>I took this as a tongue in cheek commentary.  The "would go something
>like this" is -exactly- what has been going on.  It is not imaginary.
>
>John Rockwell wrote:
>> 
>> Here's a thought.  What if IBM thinks the only way the iSeries can
>> survive is by getting rid of RPG?  The thinking would go something like
>> this...


It wouldn't surprise me if IBM's focus on RPG for the iSeries diminishes or
has diminished over time.  Integration of architecture, databases, operating
system, languages, what I feel are the AS/400's greatest strengths, are
likely to be its downfall.

I don't, however, see how phasing out RPG directly relates to CFINT.  Here
and there I still see software developed that treats the AS/400 as an
application and database server, but still uses RPG (or COBOL) for
batch-oriented server code.  Hell, Lawson's whole client-server
implementation depended on RPG in batch.  Every "interactive" client job is
supported by an army of RPG programs running as batch immediate jobs.  Even
if IBM snuffs out 5250 entirely you'll still find developers producing
back-end RPG code for database updates or applications logic.  Unless you
mean that Interactive Feature will make it too expensive for developers to
use SEU. :)

The roots of CFINT go back five or so years to the first "server models".
The goal was to sell the same machine as a server at a competitive price
while maintaining the original price points for traditional customers.  As
they've evolved to only server models and interactive feature it's still
about selling the iSeries as a competitive server rather than as a little
mainframe (for lack of a better term).

To me, phasing out 5250 and RPG (and phasing in open, portable languages)
could both be part of the strategy for the platform.  I don't see one
driving the other though.

-Jim

James Damato
Manager - Technical Administration
Dollar General Corporation
<mailto:jdamato@dollargeneral.com>
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