RE: free-format move *USA date value to 6-digit numeric in YMDformat

Java, java, java ... write once and use it forever not everywhere :-)

I think IBM is moving RPG/LE towards OO but slowly.   

As far as enhancements/upgrades, I think IBM needs to pay the salaries too
:-)

-----Original Message-----
From: rpg400-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:rpg400-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of Bob Cozzi
Sent: Wednesday, December 28, 2005 2:15 PM
To: 'RPG programming on the AS400 / iSeries'
Subject: RE: free-format move *USA date value to 6-digit numeric in
YMDformat

If all this java, java, java,  write-once run anywhere crap is true (which I
do not believe in by the way) then why not make the compiler an independent
thing that could be ported to say OS/400 V5R1 or Linux or FreeBSD or AIX? 

The bottom line is we used RPG III for years and years ( a decade? ) before
any enhancements were introduced except for ANDxx and ORxx. Oh and I think
they stuck an ENDIF in there too. So why do we need enhancements on each and
every release? Is this a U.S. Government "use it or loose it" mentality?
In my view, IBM is making RPG IV harder and harder to learn use, and in
which to develop products. This can only add up to only one outcome...

-Bob Cozzi
www.RPGxTools.com
RPG xTools - Enjoy programming again.


-----Original Message-----
From: rpg400-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:rpg400-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of Fisher, Don
Sent: Wednesday, December 28, 2005 1:38 PM
To: 'RPG programming on the AS400 / iSeries'
Subject: RE: free-format move *USA date value to 6-digit numeric in
YMDformat

Sounds reasonable to me.  

Something else to consider is the size of the development budget for
enhancements.  If I'm the RPG development team and have a certain amount to
spend on new enhancements, then I have a decision to make.  Should I spend
my money on creating 10 fully functional enhancements now or 30 somewhat
functional enhancements that can be completed later?  Perhaps completing the
enhancements later allows me to spend money from a different budget?  While
considering this, I must keep in mind the large community of RPG programmers
clamoring for the 75 or so enhancements on my list.  Does putting out the 30
partial enhancements satisfy those programmers more than 10 complete ones? 

Donald R. Fisher, III
Project Manager
Roomstore Furniture Company
(804) 784-7600 extension 2124
DFisher@xxxxxxxxxxxxx


<clip>
My guess is that the thinking is to avoid the Master Disaster? The worst
possible scenario would be to introduce a problem that affects a lot of
people.  Gradual change, with each release, allows the disasters to be
minimized and repaired in the natural flow of the releases.  PTFs have got
to be expensive for everyone, right?
<clip>