RE: Program Cross reference file -- MIDRANGE-L

But I'll bet Abstract doesn't send a chatty newsletter about their cats.

Pathfinder was a must-have on the System 38.  Hawkeye offered a few nifty
enhancements after the introduction of their AS/400 product.  Lately it
seems that their enhancements don't have much substance.  They do, however,
do a great job at a cross reference for traditional pre-ILE (and monolithic
ILE) code, and their PDM-like interface is terrific.  There does seem to be
some resistance to performing significant enhancements.  When the AS/400
began support for objects larger than 10GB I got in a big fight with them
about whether keeping pace with technology qualifies as a user-requested
enhancement, bug fix, or required feature.  It's annoying to find less and
less of the product useful as OS/400 changes and as systems get larger.  On
the other hand, neither Pathfinder nor its maintenance are tier priced.  Its
a very stable product for a specific niche.

-Jim 



-----Original Message-----
From: Vern Hamberg [mailto:vhamberg@centerfieldtechnology.com]
Sent: Tuesday, February 04, 2003 9:43 AM
To: Midrange Systems Technical Discussion
Subject: RE: Program Cross reference file


Scott, can you speak to the current state of Hawkeye, esp. as related to 
Abstract? I've used both and liked Hawkeye better in the past. However, ASC 
has a top ten reasons to switch. For one thing, #7, automatic regen of 
dependent files and programs seems to be in Hawkeye, too, IIRC.

This is not a plug for ABSTRACT. My experience with PathFinder goes back to 
the time I was at Help Systems, when the 2 companies were mutual resellers. 
But I have been underwhelmed by the Hawkeye presence on the web.

Here are the 10 points:

1. ABSTRACT is integrated with modern IDE's, with plug-ins to iSeries 
Navigator and WebSphere Development Studio. Pathfinder is still based on 
1980's technology.

2. ABSTRACT offers complete ILE support.

3. ABSTRACT's cross-reference functions have an easy-to-use graphical 
interface, plus a 5250 host interface. Pathfinder is still only available 
as a green-screen tool.

4. ABSTRACT includes standard graphical flowcharting, plus support for 
Visio. Pathfinder users are stuck with spooled file flowcharts.

5. ABSTRACT includes ASC's Esend product (e-mail file and report 
distribution).

6. ABSTRACT has been continually enhanced to keep abreast with the latest 
iSeries technology. Pathfinder is virtually the same green-screen product 
it was 10 years ago.

7. ABSTRACT provides automatic database and program re-creation that can 
save days of effort if you need to change a physical file.

8. ABSTRACT technical support is second to none in the industry and it's 
easy to get software updates.

9. With ABSTRACT, your annual maintenance fee supports real enhancements. 
With Pathfinder, your annual maintenance is just a royalty fee.

10. ASC partners with its customers in growing the product. Can you say the 
same about Hawkeye?