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  3. May 2006

Re: Multi-member files - Big picture feedback

Thanks Dave. Actually, the member vs non-member is not so much about relational design (although I am by no means an expert in DB design...it is a science in itself). No, in this case it is mostly an issue of being able to do things "better" as the opportunity presents itself.
I am fairly at home with SQL and SQL techniques. I write a fair amount of Java code, where appropriate, but I also love learning and applying new things in the RPG world. And, it goes without saying that the System i is my system of choice. The struggle is properly leveraging the technologies. The question is, given the i5 platform and RPG as a language, what is the best way to do future development?
And, sure, "best" is a relative term. But I think that what you have recommended is pretty mainstream. I suppose that the relative merits of SQL vs native I/O from a performance standpoint could be debated, certainly Joe's approach that says use both, if necessary, is a viable approach. I was just looking for general recommendations. And, I got them (from you and others), thanks! 

Pete Helgren

Dave Odom wrote:


Pete,

Since you have an opportunity to move to a modern way of doing things,
you can take advantage of the features of DB2/400, SQL, etc. and it will
have "legs" regardless of platform and almost regardless of logic
language. 
Having recently been in contact with folks in  IBM and seen their
strategic presentations for the i5, I can tell you they are going more
and more SQL and true relational, and less and less "native I/O", MUCH
less 5250 and more GUI and more. 
The struggle you may be having about how to do things in a true
relational design and giving up "members", may be due to a lack of
training in and understanding of relational database design and
application design against relational tables vs. keyed files.  If so,
that's certainly fixable and there are numerous books about how to
properly perform relational design.    Both inside and outside this
forum there are a HUGE number of people that can help you design your
database and application in a way that provides the business function
necessary, protecting the integrity of your data, all with performance. 

Don't think there was any "platform war" just legacy vs modern database
and application design methodologies and experience.    No ivory tower
here.

Sincerely,
David Odom

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