Clay,
I've got >25 years in the IBM mid-range market place. I currently enjoy the title of IBMi Solutions/Database Architect in my home company. I'm going to tell you what I tell all of the developers in my shop (or any other shop that will listen!).
I've read most of the posts on this subject so far. I second some of the comments and challenge some of the others.
I agree that the future of our extremely reliable and cost-effective platform will most likely be becoming a robust, very scalable Database Server. It is a capable email, web and application server as well, but I'm just calling it like I see it. With its DB2 database and security embedded into the OS itself, it is just very, very good at its job.
That said, the company I'm employed by is completing a multi-year project that saw NEW RPG CODE (!!) used to provide secure database access for a .net application presenting over the web. And we are currently working on the next generation using a newer architecture model that will still use NEW RPG CODE (utilizing SQL). RPG isn't dead...it is just not sexy. COBOL, however, is dead.
I would recommend that you spend most of your time concerning IBM mid-range development languages on the RPG/Free variant rather than try to understand the more columnar syntax of the earlier RPGI/II/III/IV. It will be closer to the code-style that you are used to and has features that are not available in the earlier variants. Concerning tools...embrace and learn RDp (aka RDi)...it is a much better interface than the green screen.
I would also impress upon you (if you haven't already) to embrace SQL. I suspect that you've already a very good working knowledge of this product. Don't spend too much time understanding the RPG I/O (aka "native") methods of reading/writing data to the DB2 database. Know how they work so you are able to maintain/read that code, but do all of your new development using SQL. IBM is no longer investing in non-db2 improvements to non-SQL based data definition and retrieval products.
By the way...an IBM engineer invented SQL...look it up. It is sooo rewarding to remind the SQLServer bigots of this fact. :-)
Steve Needles
-----Original Message-----
From: midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Clay B Carley
Sent: Tuesday, May 14, 2013 10:58 AM
To: Midrange Systems Technical Discussion
Subject: Re: Recommendations for a newcomer?
Thanks for the replies.
I'm not just out of school, but in my mid 30's and have been working with Linux systems for quite a while now. I've got some background with C/C++ (and Pascal "back in the day") but now working in the NOC for a local service provider, Sonic.net, in Santa Rosa, CA. In the NOC, I don't get to practice my programming much if at all, although have been doing some bash scripting here & there to make my job easier.
There was 1 AS/400 job locally listed a month or two ago; a part time system operations position at Korbel. These jobs do seem few and far between in this area, no doubt, but I'm willing to wait & see what may turn up. Having collocation here at Sonic, there's not only a few customer iSeries machines but even one S/390, so I know they are "here".
As to where I'm picking up these skills... I've been purchasing books since acquiring the 170 I found locally on craigslist. It may not be the fastest system, but I'm enjoying learning about all of the built in functionality that the system and OS brings. Honestly, CL seems pretty straightforward, COBOL doesn't appear to be too difficult, but I'm still getting through RPG.
Thanks,
Clay Carley
Stone, Joel wrote:
The answer depends on your current skill-set, years-to-retirement, geographic location of where you will reside next year, etc.
The obvious answer is to look at the job web-sites like Craigslist, Monster, DICE, etc for your geo location.
Are there dozens of RPG or COBOL listings? If yes, consider learning these tools. More than likely there are few in your area.
If you have no computer background, pick up skills where the jobs are (C#, Java, SQL, SAP, etc) and where public education is available (not RPG and not COBOL).
If you have all the popular skills, why would you look at landing a job with legacy software? Only makes sense if you are within 5 or 10 years of retirement.
Most Iseries shops are transitioning AWAY from RPG and COBOL, although it may take 5 or 10 years to arrive. Many are moving to ERP or other packages such as JDE or SAP. None of these platforms run RPG or COBOL in their current flagship versions.
And where would you pick up the skills? There are no community
colleges that teach RPG or COBOL or CL anymore (maybe in India??)
No platform is uncool by itself, only in the context that there is limited earning ability associated with it.
-----Original Message-----
From: midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Clay B Carley
Sent: Tuesday, May 14, 2013 10:06 AM
To: Midrange Systems Technical Discussion
Subject: Recommendations for a newcomer?
Being new to midrange systems, I'm attempting to pick up skills that
will be useful for me in the future, in hopes to get a job working
with them. Reading articles that say things like COBOL is uncool, and
RPG is worse isn't really giving me hope for a future working with a
midrange system though.
Is it going to be worth my time to learn things like CL, COBOL, and
RPG now? Or are they fading away? It would be pretty sad to finally
become proficient with these languages, only to find out that they are
dead and replaced with <blah> instead.
What would you recommend a newcomer focus on (aside from system operations)?
Reading Rob's message from last week regarding "20 years of
experience, versus one year of experience repeated 20 times" looks
like a pretty good starting place I suppose. I'm really trying to
look at where we're going to be in the years to come, not necessarily tomorrow.
Thanks for any suggestions,
Clay Carley
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