Re: Converting RPG to RPGLE

[Jerry Adams <jerry@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I had a similar experience many moons ago on the S/3.  Top-down design 
and structured programming were just then being written about.  The DP 
Mgr (an ex-salesman, and a very good one at that) nixed all of my 
proposals to, at least, try them.  "We ain't got time to 'experiment;' 
we've got real work to do."


Fortunately, my boss (his asst.) was more optimistic (and devious).  So 
without telling the Mgr. we used the techniques on my half of a major 
project (100+ programs).  Mine took longer to design and write than the 
old model used by the other programmer.  The salesman was ticked.  Mine 
took less time to test and debug and never failed in the next three 
years; the same could definitely not be said of those written using the 
spaghetti model. 


But you do take your (professional) life in your hands when you buck 
management (for lack of a better term [and one appropriate for mixed 
company] right now).  I have, also, been in situations where the above 
scenario would have gotten my butt canned in a nanosecond. 


Fear is a good thing.  It keeps most people from jumping out of 
airplanes without a parachute (and the majority of us from even 
considering it with one).  The key, though, as my grandfather taught me, 
is to control fear, not let it control you.  Most of the inhibitors of 
RPGIV and the new techniques are afraid (of various things) in my opinion. 


        * Jerry C. Adams
*IBM System i5/iSeries Programmer/Analyst
B&W Wholesale Distributors, Inc.* *
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Jon Paris wrote:

> >> My boss once said we may start using subprocedures soon. My reply was I
> already am.
>
> Good for you!  It always amazes me that in the System i RPG universe we have
> to "prove" the value of modular programming techniques before we can use
> them.  Since every other programming language has used them extensively and
> effectively for eons it seems to me it should just be common sense.
>
> Jon Paris
> Partner400
>
> www.Partner400.com 
>
>
>