RE: Assembly programmers do it a byte at a time

Seems to me to be most important that you understand the concepts of software 
engineering. How many people working on the AS/400 know anything about 
functional decomposition, encapsulation, information hiding, coupling, 
abstraction or normalization? 

In other words, how many people know how to program on the AS/400? How can you 
program in ILE if you don't understand these concepts? Pretty hard to move 
forward if you don't have the basics. 

-----Original Message-----
From: Joe Pluta [mailto:joepluta@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Thursday, June 23, 2005 7:34 AM
To: 'RPG programming on the AS400 / iSeries'
Subject: Assembly programmers do it a byte at a time


> From: rob@xxxxxxxxx
> 
> As you personally attest, now that you have imbedded SQL you use it
> because it's easier.  There's still a lot of chest pounders that feel
all
> programmers would be better if they started out coding assembler.

Dunno about the chest pounding, but I absolutely agree that all
programmers would be better if they started out programming assembler.
If you don't understand basic Boolean logic, or how an interrupt works,
or the concept of re-entrant code, or how a database works, then you are
much less prepared to write programs.

Now, how much that matters depends on the kind of work you are doing.
For example, you don't need a lot of training to flip burgers, while on
the other hand, you're pretty stupid to do major home electrical work
without expert knowledge.

Similarly, you can write queries even if you can't tie your own shoes.
But trying to write an order entry system without having good, solid
programming fundamentals is tantamount to replacing an outlet without
turning off the power.  Not that there aren't people who do that sort of
thing; emergency rooms are full of them.  And there are people who will
attempt to program without the necessary skills, and they get the same
kind of results.  And then they blame the machine.

You can call me all kinds of names, Rob, but I'll take an experienced
assembly language programmer (if you can find one in this day of
drag'n'drop coding) any day.

Joe

And now some haiku:

     A file that big?
     It might be very useful.
     But now it is gone.

     Chaos reigns within.
     Reflect, repent, and reboot.
     Order shall return.