open source RPG compiler is the answer. was RE: Free Form RPGOpinions Wanted

-----Original Message-----
From: rpg400-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:rpg400-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Joe Pluta
Sent: Monday, April 28, 2003 10:03 AM
To: RPG programming on the AS400 / iSeries
Subject: RE: Free Form RPG Opinions Wanted

>I proposed a very simple way of letting us decide how to get there... add
>free-form sytntax to fixed mode, and add %MOVE and %MOVEL BIFs - neither
one
>of these requires any significant addition, especially if you're writing
>reusable code the way you preach.  Then, give us a converter that will
>convert all old-style opcodes to the equivalent "extended fixed" format.

Any changes or improvements that IBM makes to rpg will not be
available/useable until 2005.  By then it will be too late for this
platform.

IBM should open source the RPG compiler.  Since the WDS that RPG is a part
of is a single charge item, IBM will still make the same amount of $$
whether the RPG compiler is shipped with source or not. And those who think
they can improve RPG would have what they need to do so, with the
marketplace deciding if they are correct or not. As an added bonus, the IBM
RPG team would be freed up to write a python interpreter for the iSeries.

Steve Richter