Re: Debugging program with multiple users -- WDSCI-L

Commodore 64! Apple III!

How many twitches, Ken? Shall I go on to Trash-80?

Seriously, I consider myself pretty fortunate - all the users still call the system the 400, and I'm doing a kind of viral incursion of current naming.

Yesterday, someone with almost no experience on the system asked if something were possible. I was able to say we're already doing things like emailing PDFs generated from spooled files. And I'm glad to say to anyone that almost anything IS possible. The encouraging thing is, people are even asking. My boss is one who can present possibilities far better than I, in a way that people find easier to take - maybe I can get too intense at times!

All of the full-time developers are going next week to the RSE Headstart at the RPG-DB2 Summit before continuing for the rest of the Summit.

All in all, I feel very fortunate - I've even managed to make friends in the mainframe IT area here - yet I still feel some trepidation at times - almost anything can happen in large corporate America. But so far, with patience, we may see our favorite platform rise out of disrepute into deserved respect.

Cheers
Vern

On 10/10/2013 6:41 AM, Ken Killian wrote:

I told a fellow Developer to use %SCANRPL to update XML at a "Sister-Company". She said she tried %SCANRPL, and her company "AS400" is stuck on R6V1M0. So, she cannot use it to update XML to replace special Characters. Use ", &, ', <, and > She had told some Microsoft Dot Net developers, that the "AS400" is not capable of processing XML like C#! <Barf!>

Heck, I thought it was programming 101 to loop through and replace characters. But, that apparently is beyond some people's skill set. This developer has 13-years experience, but I know 3-year developers that have vastly more knowledge. Obviously, I cannot do her job for her!

I had her do GO LICPGM, and I told her to note the "IBM i" operation system, not OS400. New AS400 haven't been built since 1999. We checked her companies Power-System. And it is actually on V7R1M0. I said you can use %SCANRPL, but you have to ignore syntax errors in SEU. And it compiled!

I have to be careful, because this is a "sister company", and I cannot cross boundaries! She use to work at my company, but took a position at the "sister company". Sadly, some people CANNOT learn new things. I have tried. If they do NOT want to learn, you cannot teach them!

Now this "sister company", does NOT have a Rational Developer license. So, their developers do NOT have access to the power of Rational Developer. So, they have no choice but to use SEU. Unlike my fellow developers, who at least have the option of using Rational Developer, if they wish to try and learn it.

No wonder, the user calls the AS400 the old main-frame. And more and more work gets turned over to the Microsoft Dot net developers. Not to mention they are developing Mobile Phone apps, you cannot write those in RPGLE! D'uh!

As typical, I run into two types of RPGLE Developers. Those who want to learn more, and use newer techniques. And those who think there is nothing wrong with a GOTO and GLOBAL Variables EVERYWHERE. Usually, there is very little "in-between" ground. A few can have their skills brought up, if they want to! Others, you will have to let them stick to their Vacuum-tubes & punch-Cards! I tell them as a baby, I use to "fill diapers". But, I don't do that anymore. I don't care if you use to an old punch-card machine! Or worked on an Old Wang/D.E.C. Computer that were "awesome". Why did they go out of Business?!?!?! Luckily, this is a very small percentage of Developers! But, they are out there! <LOL>

Luckily, I get to bounce new ideas off an extremely intelligent co-worker in another department! He is a forward thinker! Although, once in a while, he like to mention old equipment he use to work on just to annoy me... <smirk>

-Ken Killian-

-----Original Message-----
From: wdsci-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:wdsci-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of BRoche@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Wednesday, October 09, 2013 3:36 PM
To: Rational Developer for IBM i / Websphere Development Studio Client for System i & iSeries
Cc: Rational Developer for IBM i / Websphere Development Studio Client for System i & iSeries; wdsci-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [WDSCI-L] Debugging program with multiple users

I don't know what release your on, but wait until the code starts screaming errors in SEU because IBM has stopped adding in the new features. I know they may not use them, If you or some other developers do, and code gets maintained by the SEU diehards, then you can show them how it works fine in your editor.

From:
Ken Killian <kkillian@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
To:
"Rational Developer for IBM i / Websphere Development Studio Client for System i & iSeries" <wdsci-l@xxxxxxxxxxxx>,
Date:
10/09/2013 01:43 PM
Subject:
Re: [WDSCI-L] Debugging program with multiple users Sent by:
wdsci-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx

Jon,

I think IBM did fix the DEBUG Issue, with a service pack update, or whatever they call it....

The problem was that I told all my co-workers how great RDP is, and push at the time the new RDP 8.5 release. I have been working on WDSC
5.0/6.0/7.0 then RDI 7.5, and then RDP 8.0. Every Release got better EVERY SINGLE TIME!!! AWESOME!!!

Then RDP 8.5 came out with memory leaks and unable to find source to debug a currently running JOB...

Sadly, when showing Newbies Rational Developer 8.5, and it crashing, and unable to debug. They immediately scream, "That is why we DO NOT use RDP, it is UNSTABLE!". SEU never gives us any issues! It is rock solid! The initial impression damage was ALREADY DONE! Sadly.

RDP 8.5 still has the memory leak issue. And the debug job with the patches works "Most of the time", but when I need it most. It reverts back to the "Unable to find source" again! <Found>

The newbies already had a bad taste in the mouth from the first impression, right or wrong, that RDP is not stable... A huge hurdle to overcome the initial impression of RDP 8.5 being "JUNK".

Count me as a big Fan of Rational Developer! It makes my job more fun and productive! I strongly recommend it!

I was just greatly disappointed with that release, hence why I am RDP 8.0.3, which is basically ROCK SOLID! <Joy Joy>

-Ken Killian-
IBM i running on Power-System, Mobile Comm Developer Back-End.
http://angustheitchap.com/familytreedates.jpg
(423) 510-3129

-----Original Message-----
From: wdsci-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:wdsci-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of Jon Paris
Sent: Wednesday, October 09, 2013 1:18 PM
To: Rational Developer for IBM i / Websphere Development Studio Client for
System i & iSeries
Subject: Re: [WDSCI-L] Debugging program with multiple users

Darn it! The fold at IBM were supposed to have fixed that and made the
source available there.

I can see a version of it on my system - I'll have to check with Paul
Tuohy to make sure that is the current version. Once I've done that I'll
upload it somewhere.

On 2013-10-09, at 1:01 PM, Gary Thompson <gthompson@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Jon,

great recommend - has help me and something I need to work more with.

btw - possible to get a copy of REDBOOK/EXCEPTSRC ?

-----Original Message-----
From: wdsci-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:wdsci-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Jon Paris
Sent: Wednesday, October 09, 2013 9:10 AM
To: Rational Developer for IBM i / Websphere Development Studio Client
for System i & iSeries
Subject: Re: [WDSCI-L] Debugging program with multiple users

You already have the SEP information needed to debug - but have you

taken steps to obtain the screen image _and_ dump when the program
crashes?

The IBM Redpiece on Error Handling includes this kind of information -
see http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/abstracts/redp4321.html

It includes a simple routine that will grab the screen for you - I have

found it is often easier to debug if you can "see" what the screen content
was at the time of the error.

On 2013-10-09, at 10:04 AM, Bryan Neal <bneal69@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Gary,

When I run the program all works correctly. I need to know how the
other users are using the program to determine the solution that is
why the need for debug. This is a interactive job and at any point
the program may be used or it may not be used at all today.

I may have to do the pick a user and wait it out.

On Wed, Oct 9, 2013 at 9:55 AM, Gary Thompson <gthompson@xxxxxxxxxxx>

wrote:

I am guessing you want to debug via Service Entry Point.

I am guessing the program you want to debug runs in a batch process
(otherwise you would want to prepare the user in advance ?)

Any chance you can run the required job ?

Otherwise, that's a tough one, just have to "pick and wait" ?

-----Original Message-----
From: wdsci-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:wdsci-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of Bryan Neal
Sent: Wednesday, October 09, 2013 7:34 AM
To: WDSCI-L@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [WDSCI-L] Debugging program with multiple users

How can I debug a program that multiple users (Over 50) have access
without knowing the user ID?

Thanks!
Bryan
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Jon Paris

www.partner400.com
www.SystemiDeveloper.com

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Jon Paris

www.partner400.com
www.SystemiDeveloper.com

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