RE: RPG instruction -- RPG400-L

Mark:

you are not a nice man ... :)

I might add, tell them how to use the tools -

1. code editing,

2. compiling,

3. reading a compile listing,

4. running the debugger,

5. how to nuke a test job that goes into a loop,

6. give them a real listing and a change spec and have them find the the right place to make the change

7. show them how to look at the contents of a file using DFU, DSPPFM, SQL, query/400, and query manager. Anything that can be submitted is most important because then you can avoid the dreaded CFINT.

8. how to find a spool file? a job log? Which job is mine? What is an invocation stack? What files are open? Where is my output queue?

9. find someone for them to interview, the job is to write a specification - this can't be objectively graded but it is real

10. teach something about performance issues

11. teach something about system architectures - 2-tier, 3-tier, n-tier and the issues - this avoid the "deer in the headlights" look during vendor presentations

12. teach something about change control - most programming is maintenance

13. teach something about testing - most programmers are horrible testers.

0.02

Richard Jackson
mailto:richardjackson@richardjackson.net
www.richardjacksonltd.com
Voice: 1 (303) 808-8058
Fax: 1 (303) 663-4325

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-rpg400-l@midrange.com [mailto:owner-rpg400-l@midrange.com]On Behalf Of Mark A. Manske
Sent: Tuesday, July 18, 2000 1:39 PM
To: RPG400-L@midrange.com
Subject: RE: RPG instruction

Show them the real world with their projects; for example:

Scribble some notes/screen/printer layout on a sheet of paper,

give them two weeks to do the project; two days into it, give them

another project that needs to be done in one day, when they turn it in,

tell them that the project was scraped, and there is no grade for it,

by the end of the week, ask to see how they are coming along;

and change your mind on the specifications so it looks nothing like what

you originally asked for. When they submit their project at the end of

the two weeks, ask them where some "real" important piece is; even though

you did not ever tell anyone about it; give them another week to finish the

project - one day into it, give them another project that must also be done

by the end of the week; now for the grade, only accept the last project, scrap

the one that has been changed so much....

If they, and you, can get through that - then they are ready for the real world...

With regards; I concur with others; ILE, binding, object orientated concepts; modular programming (re-usable code)

and DOCUMENTATION(of which I am the most notorious for forgetting).

Wasting time on simple print programs is just that; interactive and server based(GUI) interfaces is the future.

Also let them get on the WEB to use the IBM manuals/more importantly the RED books.

Another great thing to help the students out, is something that is difficult to put into words; you either have it or you don't -

but remember who you are talking to - be it the CEO or the guy on the line putting a peg in a hole, never talk down to them,

listen to their issues, and assure them that you will do what you can to make their lives easier.

Being a programmer is no longer a profession where you are in a hole for 8-12 hours a day and see no light, no other human life forms,

you must not only be analytical, but a people person too...

HTH

Mark A. Manske
[mailto:mmanske@minter-weisman.com]
Sr. Project Lead
Minter-Weisman

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-rpg400-l@midrange.com [mailto:owner-rpg400-l@midrange.com]On Behalf Of JoJo
Sent: Tuesday, July 18, 2000 12:24 PM
To: RPG400-L@midrange.com
Subject: RPG instruction

I am an RPG instructor and would appreciate input from the "field".

We teach RPG in two parts - the first semester we teach RPG/400 and the second semester we teach RPG-IV. During the first semester, we also hit some of the high points of RPG-II. I teach the RPG/400 class.

Are there some hot topics you would like to see covered to better prepare students for the "real world"?

I programmed for many years, but am just teaching now and I depend on my contacts in the trenches to help me construct my lesson plans to meet the needs and demands of this dynamic field.

Thanks so much.

Pam D