Re: You're all missing the point! -- RPG400-L

Scott,
 
>The point is, if IBM says "we're no longer developing SEU" its going to
>mean that in 2 or 3 releases, they'll stop distributing it, too.  Then
>it'll cease to exist...

SEU is very unlikely to disappear.  It just won't get new features now
that you can create your own line commands.  I suspect that even the
syntax checking will get updates to recognize new HLL constructs, but
enhancements beyond the current feature set will not happen.

I haven't heard any rumors of dropping support for the product; just
not enhancing it.  (When was the last time DFU was enhanced?  It is
also part of ADTS but likely does not have active development.  But it
is still supported, and changed when necessary.  For example, null
field support was added, but I consider this more of a comparability
issue than an enhancement.)

For that matter, I wouldn't say that PDM has really changed much since
V1R1 either.   It is supported, but not actively enhanced more than
necessary (e.g. new source types, create modules, etc).

Aside from ADTS, there are numerous other program products which have
a history of being supported by not enhanced, even when very widely
used.  I'd be surprised if Query/400 didn't have more actual users
than SEU/400, but I don't see it being enhanced either.

The notable exception is the announced plans to drop OV/400.

>When I'm out in our production facility, and I find some minor bug in my
>code, right now I can log onto a green screen terminal, fix the code and
>recompile.  Without SEU, I'm walking/driving back to my office... 

I think it is quite a stretch to imagine SEU being taken away or that
you'd have to drive back to your office to edit some source.  If ADTS
is installed at the client, there will surely be a way to edit source.

Even without ADTS installed, you could just FTP the source to a Linux
machine or Mac or FreeBSD w/Gnome under XFree86 or whatever your
preference.  Your desktop system of choice will surely have an editor
suitable for minor bug fixes, even if it doesn't have the RPG literacy
of editors like CODE or Flex.

For that matter, minor bug fixes could even be handled with a product
like WRKDBF or DBU in a pinch.

>In no way am I suggesting that Code/400 be removed -- all I'm asking is
>that SEU not be abandoned.   If you prefer your graphical editor, go for
>it!  I'm more productive in SEU, and I don't want to see it dropped.

I don't think anybody is suggesting that SEU be removed. 

>Think to yourself: "What would I do if _my_
>favorite development tool was going to be discontinued?"

I'd talk to them about licensing the source for personal use or
possibly even remarketing.  Admittedly, that is not a viable option
for SEU.

Doug
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