Re: Moving to RPGIV

[William Washington III <w.washington3@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

The Brian Meyers' book, Programming in RPG IV, got me up to speed in a week. 
As someone else mentioned, the D-specs are where you should probably
concentrate your effort.  Everything else you know will still apply, but some
of the op-codes are longer (more readable.)

I waited awhile until I started writing in "free-format" mode.  Now it's my
preferred method of programming RPG IV.  However, there are many programs in
"fixed-format out there, so take the baby steps... 1) RPG IV with fixed-format
programming, 2) understanding procedures (vs subroutines), 3) free-format
programming (since you know Java and C++, this will probably seem more
"natural" to you than most),  4) using D-specs and procedure interfaces for
parameter passing instead of PARM, and finally 5) the "ILE mode" of development
(service programs, binding, etc.)

Steps 1 & 2 are the bulk of the learning, and one week of serious effort will
get you there!  You already know 80% of the language...  good luck, Pete!


William


--- rpg400-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Pete Helgren [mailto:pete@xxxxxxxxxx]
> Sent: Thursday, July 15, 2004 10:35 AM
> To: RPG Midrange Discussion
> Subject: Moving to RPGIV
> 
> 
> OK, OK, Uncle!!!!
> 
> I have to start moving to RPG IV from my "comfortable" RPG III.  I already
> do quite a bit of work in Java and have done stuff in C++ so, how hard can
> this be, right?  What I'd like to is find out how best to make the jump in
> the quickest, most painless way.  Most of the programming examples posted
> are in RPG IV so I REALLY need to move.
> 
> I am not a "classically trained" programmer, so an approach or reference
> that is short on theory and long on practical examples is what I am after.
> If you had to choose one, and at most, two resources, which would you
> choose?
> 
> Thanks.   Looking forward to RPG IV !
> 
> Pete Helgren
> Value Added Software,Inc.
> 801.581.1154 x202