With all the new technologies in the world, some becoming available to the IBM i, there's no shortage of subject matter.
Most of this legacy modernization in the IBM i world is directed at RPG programmers, as it always has been.
As an overused example, years ago we were told if we don't learn Java we would be flipping burgers.
A few years after that we were pushed to use EGL.
As an overused example, years ago we were told if we don't learn Java we would be flipping burgers.
A few years after that we were pushed to use EGL.
Now we're told that we need to learn PHP, Perl, Ruby, Node.js or some other new language that has been (or will be) "ported" to the IBM i.
In the coming years, what will be next? What will it be that will "replace" RPG, only to end up not replacing RPG?
The Reactions
The Reactions
With each of these new technologies we get a range of reaction from our community.
Some take the "You must do this or you will fail!" route.
Others suggest you can keep your current RPG applications, but any and all new development should be done with this new latest and greatest technology.
Finally, some see that these new technologies can be a great addition to your programming arsenal and can be used if and when appropriate. (This is the camp I fit in for the most part.)
So I have to ask, have we reached the point where RPG is no longer useful, or that we've done all we can do with it? I don't believe this to be the case at all.
Some take the "You must do this or you will fail!" route.
Others suggest you can keep your current RPG applications, but any and all new development should be done with this new latest and greatest technology.
Finally, some see that these new technologies can be a great addition to your programming arsenal and can be used if and when appropriate. (This is the camp I fit in for the most part.)
So I have to ask, have we reached the point where RPG is no longer useful, or that we've done all we can do with it? I don't believe this to be the case at all.
What is "Modern"?
Yep, there's the problem. Modern is in the eye of the beholder.
Modern to an RPG/III programmer could be free-format RPG.
Modern could be being able to convert your spooled files to PDF and emailing them.
Modern could be replacing all of your copied and pasted code with ILE subprocedures.
But when an RPG programmer looks at the latest craze in development, do they think "modern" or "unnecessary for the most part"? After all, they're working on the IBM i. A machine that can do it all.
Most RPG programmers create and maintain applications to get the job done. This normally means applications that crunch numbers (AP, AR, Inventory, etc), perform reporting and keep businesses running. Not glorious by any means, but very necessary.
Interfacing an inventory application with Twitter or a Blog is the last thing on most application programmer's minds.
Interfacing an inventory application with Twitter or a Blog is the last thing on most application programmer's minds.
So "what is modern" is a hard question to answer depending on your point of view.
This is probably why the use of the term "Modernization" is popular... there's no definitive answer to what "modern" is. We can just label anything (except RPG it seems) as modern.
This is probably why the use of the term "Modernization" is popular... there's no definitive answer to what "modern" is. We can just label anything (except RPG it seems) as modern.
Why Target RPG Programmers?
It seems that the modernization message is mostly targeted at RPG programmers. But saying this targeting is being done deliberately would be unfair.
The fact is that RPG programmers just happen to make up the vast majority of developers on the IBM i. Because of that, industry leaders, writers and pundits, by default, have an audience of mostly RPG programmers.
The fact is that RPG programmers just happen to make up the vast majority of developers on the IBM i. Because of that, industry leaders, writers and pundits, by default, have an audience of mostly RPG programmers.
Do we really believe that all of these technologies are being ported to the IBM i so that RPG programmers will be forced to drop RPG and use them?
No! In fact, it's quite the opposite. I feel IBM is pushing new technologies to draw a new crowd of developers to the hardware using something they are comfortable with as "bait".
No! In fact, it's quite the opposite. I feel IBM is pushing new technologies to draw a new crowd of developers to the hardware using something they are comfortable with as "bait".
Think of it this way. If Microsoft ported RPG to PCs, do you think VB, C# or .Net programmers would argue among themselves saying "you have to modernize and start using RPG!"
Of course not. To quote Violet Crawley, "That's preposterous!" (But, it would be pretty cool!)
So why then are RPG programmers being targeted for these new technologies instead of those working on other hardware platforms?
Could it be the leaders and pundits in our world are just sharing their ideas with their standard audience base with whom they are most comfortable?
Reach Out!
Could it be the leaders and pundits in our world are just sharing their ideas with their standard audience base with whom they are most comfortable?
Reach Out!

Instead of trying to convert or shame the RPG programmer into using the latest and greatest technology that they focus your energies on those on other platforms!
Step out of your comfort zone!
Extend your audience base to those outside the IBM i world and try to win them over!
Sell the IBM i as the "do it all system" it is instead of trying to convert RPG programmers to the language of the day.
Converting RPG programmers to use the flavor of the month won't make IBM any more sales to grow our community.
But getting programmers from other platforms to switch to the IBM i will.
But getting programmers from other platforms to switch to the IBM i will.