After fighting for RPGLE Extended Format at my previous employer 9-years ago. I got used to being slapped down for trying new things. As a contractor (w-2), they wanted me to sign a statement "guaranteeing" that RPGLE would NOT break existing code! Yikes!
Then my current manager made it a goal for me to use Free-Format for my objectives. I nervously asked, are you sure? He said yes...
It is not so much management, as it is "old Fossil" programmers. I am no spring-Chicken myself! <LOL>
So glad to hear that I am NOT complete alone! <Big Smile>
-Ken Killian-
-----Original Message-----
From: wdsci-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:wdsci-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Daron Whitehouse
Sent: Thursday, October 10, 2013 8:39 AM
To: Rational Developer for IBM i / Websphere Development Studio Client for System i & iSeries
Subject: Re: [WDSCI-L] Debugging program with multiple users
I too feel your pain Ken. How many people in your environment still have the Shelly/Cashman RPGII book on hand, RPG template, and 132 column printer ruler on hand? I have 2 developers working for me and one still has those. That's 33% of my developer population when counting myself.
I enjoy reading your comments and praise for RDi and the trials you struggle with as being and advocate for better tooling. The IBM is capable of so much more than what most are aware of. But then again those people don't follow this resource - and others - on the web. I'm baffled why a developer would not devour Infocenter for the latest BIFs with each release or Technology Refresh. In my opinion, not doing so is equivalent to saying "I'm just a hack, not a professional".
I wonder what your manager thinks about the usefulness of RDi. As a manager myself having used Visual Studio and eclipse for java, I was ecstatic to learn we had access to WDSC v6.0 back in 2004(ish) and I made it mandatory to learn, use and (attempt) to fully utilize the wealth of productively tools in RDi. It's been a struggle to get indentation and case standards in free format as a common practice. SQL has been another challenge, especially so with our 20+ year old legacy ERP application with its cryptic database names and prolific use of Native I/O. Most who only have been exposed to RPG have a challenge using free format and sub procedure concepts. As most everyone here can attest, being exposed and using other languages greatly increases ones eagerness to adopt the new RPG features.
It's good to have everyone here sharing the wealth and pushing our favorite platform along to those who are trailing behind.
Good luck with pushing management to stay current with support for RDi and enlightening the rest of your team. If nothing else, it will happen through attrition as new talent comes on board. Hopefully that will be with the IBM i team and not the .Net team. Does your .Net folks code SQL for you DB2 for IBM I data in the applications or use stored procedures?
-Daron
Daron Whitehouse
Systems and Programming Manager
Madico Inc
64 Industrial Parkway
Woburn,MA 01801
781-935-7850 X-196
dwhitehouse@xxxxxxxxxx
www.madico.com
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-----Original Message-----
From: Ken Killian [mailto:kkillian@xxxxxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Thursday, October 10, 2013 7:42 AM
To: Rational Developer for IBM i / Websphere Development Studio Client for System i & iSeries
Subject: Re: [WDSCI-L] Debugging program with multiple users
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-
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