Re: An odd thing -- MIDRANGE-L

** Reply to note from "Guillermo Andrades [CPI]" <gab@cpisoftware.com> Fri, 12 
Dec 1997 18:47:53 +0100

> Anybody remembering all these days where "the best" development tool
> was SmallTolk? and SAA Cicle / Repository? and C++ in 400? (where is

I sure do.

> real bussiness app runing in C++ in 400)

Good question.

> Note: i -as you?- believe that a real app is these with 100+
> programs, not fewer PF/LF files, a lot of records and a lot of people
> working together.... If any are thinking in "pretty nice GUI"
> applications there is other point of view... 8-).

The application produced by our company has 10,000 objects. It is an
international company with 1200 employees. We are redeveloping our
application in Java using frameworks from the San Francisco Project.

I think there are a lot of AS/400 people with attitudes like yours, ie. "The
way I already do things is best." I think that has keep AS/400 applications
from having a shot at being state of the art. There have been tools
available for several years to develop applications with all the ease of use
of any NT or X-Windows app, but AS/400 developers say, "Hey, none of the
other AS/400 shops are doing this." 

In some cases, the way you already do things _is_ best. However, you might
keep an open mind about development tools. For example, Smalltalk
applications didn't take over the world. Only a very small percentage of
shops use Smalltalk. But developing in VisualAge Smalltalk is many times
faster than developing in RPG, so who's the smarter A. The guy who refuses
to use it because it's not everywhere. or B. The guys producing applications
at a faster rate. ?

I think AS/400 shops are worse than that, though. For instance, there are
tools that can help to increase productivity in RPG, but very few AS/400
shops will buy those, either. Why? Because not everyone else has bought
them. 

I think the company I was refering to is making a big mistake choosing a
tool that produces code in a language they have no skill with when there are
tools available that produce code they do have skills with. On the other
hand, they have sought an outside vendor to evaluate and assist with meeting
their needs. VisualAge Generator might be the ticket. If it is, and I am
wrong! wrong! wrong!, we'll know in a year or two. 

 

Chris Rehm
Mr.AS400@ibm.net

How often can you afford to be unexpectedly out of business?
Get an AS/400.
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