RE: The Future

--API - OS400 is a mature environment, with a HUGE collection of runtime> code that can greatly simplify our tasks. Need to read and write stream> files in the IFS? There's and API for that You keep yourselves telling this kind of non-sense; thats the problem.

OS400 is a mature environment, true, and has lots of advantages.But... a HUGE collection of runtime code is something this platform does NOT have; which is one of the big problems with this platform (i.e. supporting modern programming tools/environment). APi's to write to streamfiles?? Come on, this is basic stuff. There is no platform/language whatever (even an old Commodore64; well i'm not sure but you get it) which does not provide this kind of basic API's. The reason that you can do this nowadays (since 10 years?) and that people get excited about it (and thats a good thing because most RPG'ers simply don't care) is the problem. It's tunnel vision.If you want a HUGE HUGE collection of runtime code, there is the Java platform, which is robust and HUUUUGE (which is a problem of it's own if you're new). It runs everywhere, you can download it for FREE, and you have very mature IDE's that you can download, also for FREE. The Java IDE is lightyears better that what we have with RDi (e.g. the editor and the "live" compilation/errorchecking etc). But for RDi you have to pay.Yes OS400 has lots of API's. Thats because its a big and mature OS. But mainly for system programming. And we build business apps. Why don't i still don't have something like an "associative array" in RPG. It' so essential. But nada.Nothing.You have to make a choice.1) Keep being employed as an RPG programmer and occasionally learn some HTML/Javascript/XML etc just so you can keep up with requests. This is possible but is mainly maintance work as new apps will be on other platforms. But in 20 years there will still be a need for RPG programmers, just like there is still a (albeit small) market for mainframe assembler programmers (good pay IF you find a job).2) Invest in new technologies. But this costs time (i.e. years). If you only know RPG right know it's too late. You had be doing this for years already.3) Do something else than software development.

Subject: RE: The Future> Date: Tue, 14 Sep 2010 11:47:39 -0500
From: EDeLong@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
To: midrange-l@xxxxxxxxxxxx

Kelley,

I'm sure many on these lists understand the limits placed on you at your
current employer. However, there are MANY technologies that you can
(and should) become familiar with, that can greatly enhance your
green-screen applications. Off the top of my head, here's a short list
of technologies I use nearly every day...

--SQL - SQL is enormously powerful, and is often a much better solution
for advanced features like sortable subfiles, or for advanced reporting
services (OLAP). SQL is extensible, though stored procedures, UDFs,
UDTFs, Triggers, Referential Constraints, PK/FK relationships, and so
on. While many of these elements can be managed from the OS400 command
line, SQL allows you to define all of these elements in one source
member, if needed. SQL is an industry standard, applicable to all
platforms (with some platform/syntax variations), and a solid
understanding of this can transfer to nearly any IT job.

--ILE - After nearly two decades of ILE, it's amazing how many
developers still have not made the effort to read the ILE Concepts
guide. ILE allows RPG developers to write their code into modules,
which accommodates a number of real benefits to the developer (such as:
reduces lines of code, enforces consistency, allows for enhanced clarity
of design and architecture, etc.) Any modernization goals will depend
somewhat on the quality of your application code, and ILE allows for
MUCH higher quality and flexibility in the development environment.

--API - OS400 is a mature environment, with a HUGE collection of runtime
code that can greatly simplify our tasks. Need to read and write stream
files in the IFS? There's and API for that (actually, there are several
alternatives to choose from)... Need to make your shipping application
access your postal scale through TCP/IP? Use socket api's...

Aside from this, I think developers should strive to learn the "art" of
effective programming. We all have sometimes taken shortcuts during
development, and wound up with difficult code. Poorly named fields or
procedures may hide the intent of the application, or badly structured
code which obscures the logical intent of the developer. Learn how to
abstract concepts from your business applications (what is a customer,
what information describes this entity, what data does this entity own)
then write your code to support those abstractions. Keep it short and
clean, document appropriately. Break away from exposing your database
directly in your programs.

Re: "looking for business development experience" issue, if you've been
at this 30+, you most certainly should have no trouble with selling your
business development skills. Those remain roughly the same regardless
of platform, as it's more about understanding the needs of the business
that you support. I see nothing wrong with you exposing yourself to
webby tech at home, and adding it to a resume. This knowledge simply
supplements your business development skills. Knowing that PHP is
available on the platform, learn PHP at home. If you ever need it, you
can apply that knowledge to IBM midrange easily.

Re: certifications, I have not seen too much need for them. With the
scarcity of RPG developers these days, I doubt most employers would
limit themselves to certified applicants only. Really, there are few
certifications available for this platform anyway, so save your money
there, I think...

Hth,
-Eric DeLong

-----Original Message-----
From: midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Kelley Shaddrick
Sent: Tuesday, September 14, 2010 10:40 AM
To: MIDRANGE-L@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: The Future

We've all read of the impending demise of RPG green screen programmers
(30+ years here). It has been suggested that we branch out into HTML,
CSS, Javascript, PHP, Java, XML, SQL, etc. The list appears to be
endless. The company I work for has NO interest in web based user
interfaces. The folks who work in the customer service, order entry,
accounting, and shipping areas have been here for years and years (they
average 20+ years). They WANT the old green screen interface.

The short story is there is no opportunity to learn any of these "new"
technologies here at work. Sure, I could grab one of the "learn (fill in
the blank) in 24 hours" books and create my own personal website. But,
in past experiences at job interviews, these kind of "development
experiences" were not viewed in a good light. The interviewer is looking
for solid business applications development in a business environment.

So, my question to all of you is, do you know of some kind of degree or
certification program offered by an accredited institution that one
could go through that would, with the previous 30+ years of developing
business applications, help to offset the "looking for business
development experience" issue?

Kelley
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