RE: Service Programs VS normal Programs (Jon Paris)

<rant>
You mean instead of writing "another" one-off, key, fragile, temperamental 
patch to the "ball-of-mud" production system you already have?  In the 
same RPG-II(I) style you've always used because "everyone knows how to 
read it"?

I'm sorry.  Jon's right.  When did it become the "right thing to do" to 
viciously fight against using "new techniques" that are now 5-10 years 
old?

Maybe I am also getting old and cranky, but maybe it is time for those of 
us who think that IBM worked hard to supply the new feature and maybe I 
should put in a little effort to see if they are beneficial to move to a 
new area.  Based on the track record of their customers and the sentiment 
expressed in this group, I would not blame IBM for moving all their 
development effort to other areas and never offering another "enhancement" 
to the language.  After all, "if it ain't broke..."

It's a sad old dog who can do nothing but bay the other hounds.
<rant/>

L. Wayne James
Senior Developer
Agilysys, Inc.
Hospitality Solutions Group
11545 Wills Road
Alpharetta, GA 30004
Phone:  770-962-6425 x1252
Email:  Wayne.James@xxxxxxxxxxxx



"Reeve" <news@xxxxxxxxxx> 
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08/30/2004 10:39 PM
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RE: Service Programs VS normal Programs (Jon Paris)






The primary issue with "playing" is that the playthings often become
one-off, key, fragile, temperamental components (not unlike an 
ill-mannered
pet or relative) in a production system.

"Playing" is fine, as long as it's kept outside of the production sandbox.
"Evaluating" has a professorial ring to it and conveys a good message to
management; it also means.  Just because you can write a VARPG program
doesn't mean you should stick it in the middle of your green-screen
application. 

Sometimes evaluations show a new technique isn't that good, and that's 
when
the code should be trashed.

-rf 

> -----Original Message-----
> From: rpg400-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:rpg400-l-
> bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Jon Paris
> Sent: Monday, August 30, 2004 9:03 PM
> To: rpg400-l@xxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: RE: Service Programs VS normal Programs (Jon Paris)
> 
>  >> the truth of the matter is that, if it works, it may well not need 
to
> be
> touched.  Ever.
> 
> I _very_ clearly stated that I was in agreement with that position Joe.
> If
> _nothing_ ever changes then a rewrite is probably pointless.  But I
> cannot
> agree with James - I have met hundreds of programmers who used the
> "it ain't
> broke" argument as an excuse for not doing/learning anything new.  I
> have
> met very few who make changes just for the fun of it or to use the
> latest
> sexiest features.
> 
> I do know that a very large percentage of 400 shops that I meet who
> stick to
> the "ain't broke" philosophy find themselves under constant threat from
> Windows/Uni*x "solutions".  Very few of "explorers" seem to be in that
> position.
> 
> Personally I think that there is a lot of benefit to "playing" (and I 
know
> you do this Joe).  As adults we seem to forget that all of the really
> important things in our lives we learnt while playing as children.  We
> learnt to walk by falling over - think about it - walking is just a 
series
> of controlled falls!  Why does "play" become an evil because we are
> adults?
> If we use the latest and greatest - even if there is no immediate
> quantifiable ROI - don't we get an ROI later when faced with new
> programming
> challenges?
> 
> Jon Paris
> Partner400
> www.Partner400.com
> 
> 
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