Re: RPG training

[Jerry Adams <jerry@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Patty,


Obviously it (the language mandate) is a corporate decision.  But the 
COBOL compiler comes standard (i.e., no extra charge) since about v5r1.  
It just has to be installed.  In fact, I frequently (daily?) threaten to 
install it here if people aren't nice to me. .-)


RPG (any flavor) isn't difficult for a COBOLer.  I learned RPG and then 
COBOL, which was painful because RPG does many of the things for you 
(such as file Open's) that you have to do yourself in COBOL.  But the 
way many RPG IV programs are written is pretty COBOL in nature; the 
specification forms relate pretty closely to the Divisions in COBOL.  
Once you get comfortable with the fixed-format syntax, you can move to 
free-format version, which is even more COBOL-like (which explains all 
of the semi-colon "jokes" earlier).


I think Bob would agree that RPGWorld is not the place to go to learn 
RPG to start.  However, once you're comfortable (and if the company'll 
pick up the tab), it would be a great place to enhance your knowledge 
and skills.  As an alternative, COMMON has many excellent RPG IV 
sessions with some of the same instructors with the added benefit of 
other iSeries topical sessions if that's important to you.  But, again, 
neither one is the place to go to "learn" RPG, but to "enhance and expand".


        * Jerry C. Adams
*IBM System i Programmer/Analyst
B&W Wholesale Distributors, Inc.* *
voice
        615.995.7024
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        615.995.1201
email
        jerry@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:jerry@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>



Poss, Patty wrote:

> > Thank you to all.
> > I am currently a COBOL programmer.  My company has converted 
> > to use the
> > parent company's AS400.  They are strictly an RPG shop, and I've been
> > asked to find classes to get me up and going in RPG.  I will 
> > check into
> > all suggestions that have been given!
> > Thanks again.
> > Patty