Re: Assembly programmers do it a byte at a time

Well, with all of the complexity hidden, they wouldn't need us, now would 
they? I have a problem with blanket statements like that one. "All of the 
complexity should be hidden." This type of statement allows the stater to 
use it and direct it at anything he or she finds contrary to his/her taste. 
"It's too complex". Granted, I agree that keeping things reasonably simple 
is a principle of good programming, but like all principles, they must be 
applied together to make a good product. If my only goal was to make things 
simple, I would say use WRKQRY and DFU for everything. simple. Runs forever, 
and can't accomodate all the need, but heaven knows, that nasty complexity 
is gone. 

On 6/23/05, Booth Martin <booth@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> 
> While this may be true, the underlying observation is that "Business" is 
> IBM
> s middle name. It would seem important to me that IBM provide a machine
> that has all of that complexity hidden. The goal would seem to be to
> provide tools that deal with business rules & terms, not scientific
> mystification?
> 
> ---------------------------------
> Booth Martin
> http://www.martinvt.com
> ---------------------------------
> -------Original Message-------
> 
> From: RPG programming on the AS400 / iSeries
> Date: 06/23/05 12:50:28
> To: RPG programming on the AS400 / iSeries
> Subject: 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.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> --
> This is the RPG programming on the AS400 / iSeries (RPG400-L) mailing list
> To post a message email: RPG400-L@xxxxxxxxxxxx
> To subscribe, unsubscribe, or change list options,
> visit: http://lists.midrange.com/mailman/listinfo/rpg400-l
> or email: RPG400-L-request@xxxxxxxxxxxx
> Before posting, please take a moment to review the archives
> at http://archive.midrange.com/rpg400-l.
> 
> 
> .
> --
> This is the RPG programming on the AS400 / iSeries (RPG400-L) mailing list
> To post a message email: RPG400-L@xxxxxxxxxxxx
> To subscribe, unsubscribe, or change list options,
> visit: http://lists.midrange.com/mailman/listinfo/rpg400-l
> or email: RPG400-L-request@xxxxxxxxxxxx
> Before posting, please take a moment to review the archives
> at http://archive.midrange.com/rpg400-l.
> 
>