RE: RPG, 10 years from now

-----Original Message-----
From: steema@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:steema@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Friday, May 26, 2006 9:06 AM
To: RPG programming on the AS400 / iSeries
Subject: RPG, 10 years from now


>HI - This is a Friday topic. But, I was having a conversation w/ the
>company Controller. He indicated that he was concerned regarding the long
>term support for the RPG language. He is not an IT guy, but is very
>industry savvy.

RPG free will still be around, but I dont think that is the most important 
question. What does matter is choosing to write database applications on the i5 
in sql procedures or rpg.  sql procedures are readable, portable and enable 
programmers with only an sql background to productively program the i5. RPG is 
preferable for green screen and system api programming. all other applications 
should be written in sql procedures.

the other important issue is IBM's pricing of the i5. The system is more 
expensive relative to other platforms than it has ever been. We were holding 
our own a few years ago when unix systems like the rs6000 were selling for $20K 
and higher. Now that you can buy screaming fast unix hardware for low 4 digits 
it is hard to see our system maintaining the appeal it needs for IBM to 
continue to sell it.

-Steve