The nicest part of dealing with JSON is that it is a native javascript
datastructure. It stands for JavaScript Object Notation. I use it with
anything AJAX. PHP has a built in support too with json_encode and
json_decode. It can take an array or other structure and put it into a
native javascript object and send it back which makes it EXTREMELY easy to
handle on the client side. In web services this is REST, instead of SOAP.
But I usually have my client send off the AJAX request, let the PHP do
its server side thing and return a string of JSON.
As to how RBD does things. I have no clue, I haven't used it. I use JS
to create DOM elements, sure. That is based on user actions or data
population. But I wouldn't think to create the majority of a page that
way. I've seen mashup code that has all the html, php, and javascript
slammed together in the same document and I really prefer not to develop
that way. My theory is to get that page up as soon as you can and if you
have data to load the user won't care as long as you give them something
"pretty" to look at while it loads. Such as a progress bar or animated
loading gif. But keep your parts seperate and in functional pieces, it
makes it way easier to spot and fix bugs as well as expand on what you
have already.
Just my $.02.
Thanks
Bryce Martin
Programmer/Analyst I
570-546-4777
Nathan Andelin <nandelin@xxxxxxxxx>
Sent by: rpg400-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx
02/19/2010 11:38 AM
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RPG programming on the IBM i / System i <rpg400-l@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
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Subject
What skills should you have?
Using PHP to generate javascript to generate HTML? Who does that?
And why on earth would you?
Bryce,
If I understand correctly, Rational Business Developer tools generate
JavaScript which generates DOM elements - if not generating HTML. That
could be where PHP is headed - generating JavaScript to support Rich UI.
That's just conjecture.
I was curious how you're using JSON? It appears to me that JSON may be
becoming more common in the RPG community to interface with ExtJS rich UI
components. Just curious.
-Nathan.
--- original message ---
Joe,
I don't think you need to know everything listed in this description, but
there is no reason that a decently good programmer can't be very familiar
with most of it.
I've only been out of school for three years, and while I don't use
everything listed every day, I'm familiar with most. And I don't even
consider myself one of the best programmers out there.
Modern RPGIV - check
subprocedures - check
use of C or Java functions from RPG - familiar with the approach even if I
don't use them, could if I had/needed to.
embedded SQL - check
XML processing - I prefer JSON, but I'm familiar with XML and could pick
this up if needed.
RDi - Use WDSC7 until we upgrade
PHP - check
Java - check
.Net - rather not
HTML, Javascript,CSS - check.
When you break it down and look at a span of projects over 3 to 5 years, I
really fail to see how having these skills would be that difficult to come
by. Unless you are stuck in a shop that does RPGII programming only I
would suspect that most programmers on this platform have at least half
this stuff in their tool box.
Using PHP to generate javascript to generate HTML? Who does that? And
why on earth would you? Write HTML where you need it, Javascript where
you need it, and keep the PHP on the server doing stuff that can't be done
on the client side. AJAX is way more than a passing fad and is quickly
becoming the standard for web application data driven development. To
develop in a mix'em up/mash'em up way makes for highly unmaintainable and
sluggish solutions. Taking a more MVC approach and using each technology
as it is intended usually works best in the long run.
Joe, I respect everything you have done. You are a great asset to the IBM
i community, but I don't think it is very demanding to have the toolbox
that Jon and Susan suggest.
Thanks
Bryce Martin
Programmer/Analyst I
570-546-4777
midrange.com
