Re: open source rpg compiler

[Don <dr2@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Well, it's not open source but I think Crossworks www.cross-works.com has
done alot of what you're asking for....



On Sun, 4 May 2003, Douglas Handy wrote:

> Henk,
>
> >When the rpg-ile compiler becomes opensource, we can
> >crossplatform this language.
>
> No you can't.  The RPG-ILE compiler does not produce object code; it produces
> "W-code" which is a proprietary intermediate language.  In fact, I believe all
> of the iSeries ILE compilers (RPG, C, etc) output W-code, then share the same
> back-end to process the W-code.
>
> Last I heard, if you were interested in the W-code specs you were facing a
> seven-digit licensing fee with strict NDA clauses.   I doubt IBM would want to
> make that open-source.
>
> >I think that supporting the rpg-ile to opensource is the way to go. It will 
> >keep the
> >language alive.
>
> The language is already very much alive, and I think it is abundantly clear 
> IBM
> continues to invest in the language.  Hans & Company are continually enhancing
> the language, and soliciting customer involvement in helping set priorities of
> what features should be added first.
>
> For the most part, RPG III was rather stagnant and saw very little new feature
> additions from its inception in 1979 until RPG IV was introduced around 1994.
> But look how much RPG IV has evolved since V3R1!   It is hardly the hallmark 
> of
> a language which is gasping for its final breaths.
>
> Will RPG become the pancea for all programming tasks?  Of course not.  No 
> single
> tool ever is.
>
> Instead of making the compiler open source, if the community really wanted to
> help improve the situation what they'd do is contribute open source *service
> programs*.   Consider for example the work of advocates like Scott Klement and
> others.
>
> Doug
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