Re: Question concerning entry level programmer skills

Okay, there are two ways to look at this.  One, am I looking for an entry level
programmer, or two, am I looking for an entry level RPG programmer.

An entry level programmer should know the basic control statements (if, 
do..while,
repeat...until, case...select, for...next) that are common to all languages.  
They should
be able to take a *simple* project (write a program to list the values in this 
database)
in at least one language without any help, manuals are okay.

They should be able and willing to read manuals for help.

Now, that is for any entry level programmer.  Now if I was looking for an RPG
entry level programmer, one who was expected at least to know the basis of RPG,
they would be required to know:
What DDS is and how it applies to files.
75% of the op codes in RPG and how to use them, and have some familiarity with
at least 90% of the op cods in RPG.
How to use a simple display file in RPG.
How to call an RPG program from CL.
How to run basic OS/400 commands.

That is bare minimum.  Pluses are:
Knowing how to program sub files.
Knowing how to write to APIs.
Knowing how to bind RPG ILE programs.

Things that would make me want to hire them above any other are:
Knowing how varaibles are stored on the machine (format of Packed, etc..)
Answering any question I don't know the answer to <g>
Being able to think "outside the box"
Knowing how to write client/server appliations, on both the AS/400 and PC
sides.

This is a general guidline, and since I"ve never had to hire a programmer,
it is off the top of my head.

Regards,

Jim Langston

kjennings@garan.com wrote:

> Hi, group!  In your opinion, what knowledge and skills should an entry level 
>RPG
> programmer have fresh out of school?
>
> Kevin

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