RE: Tools you use for Development and Prototyping

["Bartell, Aaron L. (TC)" <ALBartell@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

<Buck>
I would argue that I didn't learn to _program_ until
I learnt several other languages and read several thousand pages of
programming texts.
</Buck>

Rob400,

This is the same for me.  I didn't learn that much about programming until I
drowned in Java.  I am still learning a ton about programming, but getting
out of my comfort zone of RPG and instead doing some OO stuff really opened
my eyes to concepts rather than writing some crazily ugly code.

Take a look at some of David Morris and Scott Klements code that they have
posted on their sites and on sourceforge.net.  Or if you feel adventurous,
take a look at some languages like Java, or VB.NET, etc. . .  Even if you
never use these languages again your RPG code will improve considerably.  I
always thought that all that conceptual stuff people talk about was hogwash,
but if applied in the right amounts you can write a system that is much
better organized and suited for change.

I am with Buck when he states that tools like Hawkeye and a change
management system help.  WDSc is also getting better with each release and
will offer you great productivity enhancements (code assist, much more
viewable code, Outlines) - see the WDSc list on midrange for more info.

Those are my thoughts,
Aaron Bartell