IMO For getting the younger ones to the platform the access and the development tools need to be for free. They get other OS for free (Linux, BSD, ...). They get other compilers, runtimes, editors, whole IDEs for free. How do you convice some young guy that he should invest in his IBM i education if he doesn't have to invest monetarily in his other computer eduacation? Not an easy case.
-----Original Message-----
From: rpg400-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:rpg400-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Aaron Bartell
Sent: Wednesday, July 28, 2010 5:18 PM
To: RPG programming on the IBM i / System i
Subject: Re: Future of RPG was: Open Access for RPG
Been following this thread with interest. I wouldn't be opposed to a
new name, but agree that the perception is more what needs to be
changed. A new name might be in order if they did some crazy
significant things with the language/syntax - like 100% free-form and
break away from ALL "legacy" features so the language can be moved
forward faster. Obviously the things on the "legacy features list"
would be debatable, but I would put on that list things like
indicators, fixed form specs, etc.
At the end of the day I don't see a lot of use in trying to convince
somebody over 50 that they should learn something new unless they have
already stated interest in moving forward - I gave up on that crew a
few years ago. INSTEAD I think we need to focus on how to convey the
platform to the next generation. A month or so ago I posted to
WEB400-L about doing a tutorial named "RPG for PHP programmers" that
would essentially train an existing PHP minded person to do
RPG+CGI+DB2+IBMi with the basics and get them producing applications
in a weeks time. Teaching a PHP programmer concepts of ILE modularity
is already within their nature, and with embedded SQL I think they
would take to it like a fish to water. Of course such training would
also declare the common "gotchas" that we have on our system that
might not be immediately apparent to a new personality.
ALL of this is moot if people can't get access to a machine. If
www.iDevCloud.com or equivalent doesn't pan out in right ways then I
would say all other efforts we work on are relatively moot. I am
hopeful that IBM will recognize the incredible opportunity they have
right now to capitalize on "IBM i in the cloud" and provide means of
providing free access to slivers of a cloud IBM i machine for people
to cut their teeth on. I am not holding my breath and instead think
it will have to happen on the backs (and the pocket books) of the
community.
Aaron Bartell
http://mowyourlawn.com
http://mowyourlawn.com/blog/
midrange.com
