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  3. Anyone still know IBM RPG?

Anyone still know IBM RPG?

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  • Sander RosselS Offline
    Sander RosselS Offline
    Sander Rossel
    wrote on last edited by
    #1

    A customer showed me their internal system yesterday. It runs on an IBM AS/400 and it's written in IBM RPG. RPG was originally developed in 1959, but the latest stable version is from 2020. I must say it looks surprisingly modern: Coding in RPG IV - a beginner's tutorial[^] Not sure if that's also the version of RPG that their software is programmed in, but I'm guessing it isn't as it's 40-something years old. Other than that it looks like a fancy DOS program (colored letters on a white background, so no retro black/green, and completely keyboard driven, although mouse works too). Apparently, they've been trying to replace it for 25 years, but without much success. Meanwhile it's still actively being developed and their supplier has a development team just for this client (all other customers switched to the newer version of the product). My client is now looking into buying the entire product just so they can keep using it :omg: They could buy the product, but the programmers are of course in no way obliged to move with the software. My guess is they'll HAVE TO replace it in the coming ten years or so and it would be better to start working on a replacement NOW rather than buy something that's already obsolete. But just out of curiosity, how many here worked on RPG and how many still do, could and/or want to?

    Best, Sander Azure DevOps Succinctly (free eBook) Azure Serverless Succinctly (free eBook) Migrating Apps to the Cloud with Azure arrgh.js - Bringing LINQ to JavaScript

    S R Richard Andrew x64R M R 9 Replies Last reply
    0
    • Sander RosselS Sander Rossel

      A customer showed me their internal system yesterday. It runs on an IBM AS/400 and it's written in IBM RPG. RPG was originally developed in 1959, but the latest stable version is from 2020. I must say it looks surprisingly modern: Coding in RPG IV - a beginner's tutorial[^] Not sure if that's also the version of RPG that their software is programmed in, but I'm guessing it isn't as it's 40-something years old. Other than that it looks like a fancy DOS program (colored letters on a white background, so no retro black/green, and completely keyboard driven, although mouse works too). Apparently, they've been trying to replace it for 25 years, but without much success. Meanwhile it's still actively being developed and their supplier has a development team just for this client (all other customers switched to the newer version of the product). My client is now looking into buying the entire product just so they can keep using it :omg: They could buy the product, but the programmers are of course in no way obliged to move with the software. My guess is they'll HAVE TO replace it in the coming ten years or so and it would be better to start working on a replacement NOW rather than buy something that's already obsolete. But just out of curiosity, how many here worked on RPG and how many still do, could and/or want to?

      Best, Sander Azure DevOps Succinctly (free eBook) Azure Serverless Succinctly (free eBook) Migrating Apps to the Cloud with Azure arrgh.js - Bringing LINQ to JavaScript

      S Offline
      S Offline
      Stefan de Zeeuw
      wrote on last edited by
      #2

      I have worked for a short period on a IBM S/36 with RPG II some 30 odd years ago. Forgot all about it besides the fact that it looked a lot like assembler and after checking your link doesn't even remotely resemble RPG IV. After some 4 months I switched to the client side development which was done in Clipper 5 synchronising data with the S/36.

      pkfoxP 1 Reply Last reply
      0
      • S Stefan de Zeeuw

        I have worked for a short period on a IBM S/36 with RPG II some 30 odd years ago. Forgot all about it besides the fact that it looked a lot like assembler and after checking your link doesn't even remotely resemble RPG IV. After some 4 months I switched to the client side development which was done in Clipper 5 synchronising data with the S/36.

        pkfoxP Offline
        pkfoxP Offline
        pkfox
        wrote on last edited by
        #3

        Loved Clipper - my first paying language

        In a closed society where everybody's guilty, the only crime is getting caught. In a world of thieves, the only final sin is stupidity. - Hunter S Thompson - RIP

        Sander RosselS 1 Reply Last reply
        0
        • Sander RosselS Sander Rossel

          A customer showed me their internal system yesterday. It runs on an IBM AS/400 and it's written in IBM RPG. RPG was originally developed in 1959, but the latest stable version is from 2020. I must say it looks surprisingly modern: Coding in RPG IV - a beginner's tutorial[^] Not sure if that's also the version of RPG that their software is programmed in, but I'm guessing it isn't as it's 40-something years old. Other than that it looks like a fancy DOS program (colored letters on a white background, so no retro black/green, and completely keyboard driven, although mouse works too). Apparently, they've been trying to replace it for 25 years, but without much success. Meanwhile it's still actively being developed and their supplier has a development team just for this client (all other customers switched to the newer version of the product). My client is now looking into buying the entire product just so they can keep using it :omg: They could buy the product, but the programmers are of course in no way obliged to move with the software. My guess is they'll HAVE TO replace it in the coming ten years or so and it would be better to start working on a replacement NOW rather than buy something that's already obsolete. But just out of curiosity, how many here worked on RPG and how many still do, could and/or want to?

          Best, Sander Azure DevOps Succinctly (free eBook) Azure Serverless Succinctly (free eBook) Migrating Apps to the Cloud with Azure arrgh.js - Bringing LINQ to JavaScript

          R Offline
          R Offline
          Rage
          wrote on last edited by
          #4

          Not young anymore, but too young still. That's my RPG : Role-playing video game - Wikipedia[^]

          Do not escape reality : improve reality !

          Sander RosselS 1 Reply Last reply
          0
          • Sander RosselS Sander Rossel

            A customer showed me their internal system yesterday. It runs on an IBM AS/400 and it's written in IBM RPG. RPG was originally developed in 1959, but the latest stable version is from 2020. I must say it looks surprisingly modern: Coding in RPG IV - a beginner's tutorial[^] Not sure if that's also the version of RPG that their software is programmed in, but I'm guessing it isn't as it's 40-something years old. Other than that it looks like a fancy DOS program (colored letters on a white background, so no retro black/green, and completely keyboard driven, although mouse works too). Apparently, they've been trying to replace it for 25 years, but without much success. Meanwhile it's still actively being developed and their supplier has a development team just for this client (all other customers switched to the newer version of the product). My client is now looking into buying the entire product just so they can keep using it :omg: They could buy the product, but the programmers are of course in no way obliged to move with the software. My guess is they'll HAVE TO replace it in the coming ten years or so and it would be better to start working on a replacement NOW rather than buy something that's already obsolete. But just out of curiosity, how many here worked on RPG and how many still do, could and/or want to?

            Best, Sander Azure DevOps Succinctly (free eBook) Azure Serverless Succinctly (free eBook) Migrating Apps to the Cloud with Azure arrgh.js - Bringing LINQ to JavaScript

            Richard Andrew x64R Offline
            Richard Andrew x64R Offline
            Richard Andrew x64
            wrote on last edited by
            #5

            In 1998 a contractor came to our place of business to give a short course in RPG. I must say I was impressed with how primitive it was.

            The difficult we do right away... ...the impossible takes slightly longer.

            T 1 Reply Last reply
            0
            • Sander RosselS Sander Rossel

              A customer showed me their internal system yesterday. It runs on an IBM AS/400 and it's written in IBM RPG. RPG was originally developed in 1959, but the latest stable version is from 2020. I must say it looks surprisingly modern: Coding in RPG IV - a beginner's tutorial[^] Not sure if that's also the version of RPG that their software is programmed in, but I'm guessing it isn't as it's 40-something years old. Other than that it looks like a fancy DOS program (colored letters on a white background, so no retro black/green, and completely keyboard driven, although mouse works too). Apparently, they've been trying to replace it for 25 years, but without much success. Meanwhile it's still actively being developed and their supplier has a development team just for this client (all other customers switched to the newer version of the product). My client is now looking into buying the entire product just so they can keep using it :omg: They could buy the product, but the programmers are of course in no way obliged to move with the software. My guess is they'll HAVE TO replace it in the coming ten years or so and it would be better to start working on a replacement NOW rather than buy something that's already obsolete. But just out of curiosity, how many here worked on RPG and how many still do, could and/or want to?

              Best, Sander Azure DevOps Succinctly (free eBook) Azure Serverless Succinctly (free eBook) Migrating Apps to the Cloud with Azure arrgh.js - Bringing LINQ to JavaScript

              M Offline
              M Offline
              Maximilien
              wrote on last edited by
              #6

              You have to play as a Lawful Paladin.

              CI/CD = Continuous Impediment/Continuous Despair

              N Sander RosselS S 3 Replies Last reply
              0
              • Sander RosselS Sander Rossel

                A customer showed me their internal system yesterday. It runs on an IBM AS/400 and it's written in IBM RPG. RPG was originally developed in 1959, but the latest stable version is from 2020. I must say it looks surprisingly modern: Coding in RPG IV - a beginner's tutorial[^] Not sure if that's also the version of RPG that their software is programmed in, but I'm guessing it isn't as it's 40-something years old. Other than that it looks like a fancy DOS program (colored letters on a white background, so no retro black/green, and completely keyboard driven, although mouse works too). Apparently, they've been trying to replace it for 25 years, but without much success. Meanwhile it's still actively being developed and their supplier has a development team just for this client (all other customers switched to the newer version of the product). My client is now looking into buying the entire product just so they can keep using it :omg: They could buy the product, but the programmers are of course in no way obliged to move with the software. My guess is they'll HAVE TO replace it in the coming ten years or so and it would be better to start working on a replacement NOW rather than buy something that's already obsolete. But just out of curiosity, how many here worked on RPG and how many still do, could and/or want to?

                Best, Sander Azure DevOps Succinctly (free eBook) Azure Serverless Succinctly (free eBook) Migrating Apps to the Cloud with Azure arrgh.js - Bringing LINQ to JavaScript

                R Offline
                R Offline
                rnbergren
                wrote on last edited by
                #7

                last time I saw that was 1996. Interesting how much "old" code is still around and needing support.

                To err is human to really elephant it up you need a computer

                Sander RosselS 1 Reply Last reply
                0
                • Sander RosselS Sander Rossel

                  A customer showed me their internal system yesterday. It runs on an IBM AS/400 and it's written in IBM RPG. RPG was originally developed in 1959, but the latest stable version is from 2020. I must say it looks surprisingly modern: Coding in RPG IV - a beginner's tutorial[^] Not sure if that's also the version of RPG that their software is programmed in, but I'm guessing it isn't as it's 40-something years old. Other than that it looks like a fancy DOS program (colored letters on a white background, so no retro black/green, and completely keyboard driven, although mouse works too). Apparently, they've been trying to replace it for 25 years, but without much success. Meanwhile it's still actively being developed and their supplier has a development team just for this client (all other customers switched to the newer version of the product). My client is now looking into buying the entire product just so they can keep using it :omg: They could buy the product, but the programmers are of course in no way obliged to move with the software. My guess is they'll HAVE TO replace it in the coming ten years or so and it would be better to start working on a replacement NOW rather than buy something that's already obsolete. But just out of curiosity, how many here worked on RPG and how many still do, could and/or want to?

                  Best, Sander Azure DevOps Succinctly (free eBook) Azure Serverless Succinctly (free eBook) Migrating Apps to the Cloud with Azure arrgh.js - Bringing LINQ to JavaScript

                  K Offline
                  K Offline
                  Kschuler
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #8

                  I worked for a company that did. They were starting to connect to the db using .net with an ec2 connection to replace the old green screen with a new website. It's been YEARS but I'm not sure they've completely gotten rid of it. They had about a half dozen rpg programmers at the time so it's not completely a dead language.

                  Sander RosselS 1 Reply Last reply
                  0
                  • M Maximilien

                    You have to play as a Lawful Paladin.

                    CI/CD = Continuous Impediment/Continuous Despair

                    N Offline
                    N Offline
                    Nelek
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #9

                    I prefer to be neutral chaotic adventurer :rolleyes: :-D

                    M.D.V. ;) If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about? Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you Rating helpful answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.

                    G 1 Reply Last reply
                    0
                    • pkfoxP pkfox

                      Loved Clipper - my first paying language

                      In a closed society where everybody's guilty, the only crime is getting caught. In a world of thieves, the only final sin is stupidity. - Hunter S Thompson - RIP

                      Sander RosselS Offline
                      Sander RosselS Offline
                      Sander Rossel
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #10

                      My dad won't shut up about how great Clipper was and that everything that came after it is just a rip off :laugh:

                      Best, Sander Azure DevOps Succinctly (free eBook) Azure Serverless Succinctly (free eBook) Migrating Apps to the Cloud with Azure arrgh.js - Bringing LINQ to JavaScript

                      pkfoxP 1 Reply Last reply
                      0
                      • M Maximilien

                        You have to play as a Lawful Paladin.

                        CI/CD = Continuous Impediment/Continuous Despair

                        Sander RosselS Offline
                        Sander RosselS Offline
                        Sander Rossel
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #11

                        Wizard for life.

                        Best, Sander Azure DevOps Succinctly (free eBook) Azure Serverless Succinctly (free eBook) Migrating Apps to the Cloud with Azure arrgh.js - Bringing LINQ to JavaScript

                        1 Reply Last reply
                        0
                        • R Rage

                          Not young anymore, but too young still. That's my RPG : Role-playing video game - Wikipedia[^]

                          Do not escape reality : improve reality !

                          Sander RosselS Offline
                          Sander RosselS Offline
                          Sander Rossel
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #12

                          I'm especially fond of JRPG's :)

                          Best, Sander Azure DevOps Succinctly (free eBook) Azure Serverless Succinctly (free eBook) Migrating Apps to the Cloud with Azure arrgh.js - Bringing LINQ to JavaScript

                          R 1 Reply Last reply
                          0
                          • R rnbergren

                            last time I saw that was 1996. Interesting how much "old" code is still around and needing support.

                            To err is human to really elephant it up you need a computer

                            Sander RosselS Offline
                            Sander RosselS Offline
                            Sander Rossel
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #13

                            If by "support" you mean "active development" then yes :D

                            Best, Sander Azure DevOps Succinctly (free eBook) Azure Serverless Succinctly (free eBook) Migrating Apps to the Cloud with Azure arrgh.js - Bringing LINQ to JavaScript

                            1 Reply Last reply
                            0
                            • M Maximilien

                              You have to play as a Lawful Paladin.

                              CI/CD = Continuous Impediment/Continuous Despair

                              S Offline
                              S Offline
                              Stefan de Zeeuw
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #14

                              Always Chaotic Evil Sorcerer

                              1 Reply Last reply
                              0
                              • Sander RosselS Sander Rossel

                                I'm especially fond of JRPG's :)

                                Best, Sander Azure DevOps Succinctly (free eBook) Azure Serverless Succinctly (free eBook) Migrating Apps to the Cloud with Azure arrgh.js - Bringing LINQ to JavaScript

                                R Offline
                                R Offline
                                Rage
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #15

                                Sander Rossel wrote:

                                I'm especially fond of JRPG's JSOP

                                Fixed that for you ;P

                                Do not escape reality : improve reality !

                                Sander RosselS 1 Reply Last reply
                                0
                                • R Rage

                                  Sander Rossel wrote:

                                  I'm especially fond of JRPG's JSOP

                                  Fixed that for you ;P

                                  Do not escape reality : improve reality !

                                  Sander RosselS Offline
                                  Sander RosselS Offline
                                  Sander Rossel
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #16

                                  I'd have to be almost as old as RPG to know who that is :laugh: Haven't seen him around in ages, but then again, I'm not on here as much as I used to...

                                  Best, Sander Azure DevOps Succinctly (free eBook) Azure Serverless Succinctly (free eBook) Migrating Apps to the Cloud with Azure arrgh.js - Bringing LINQ to JavaScript

                                  1 Reply Last reply
                                  0
                                  • K Kschuler

                                    I worked for a company that did. They were starting to connect to the db using .net with an ec2 connection to replace the old green screen with a new website. It's been YEARS but I'm not sure they've completely gotten rid of it. They had about a half dozen rpg programmers at the time so it's not completely a dead language.

                                    Sander RosselS Offline
                                    Sander RosselS Offline
                                    Sander Rossel
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #17

                                    Kschuler wrote:

                                    They had about a half dozen rpg programmers

                                    With an average age of 80? :D Still, half a dozen ain't bad.

                                    Best, Sander Azure DevOps Succinctly (free eBook) Azure Serverless Succinctly (free eBook) Migrating Apps to the Cloud with Azure arrgh.js - Bringing LINQ to JavaScript

                                    V 1 Reply Last reply
                                    0
                                    • N Nelek

                                      I prefer to be neutral chaotic adventurer :rolleyes: :-D

                                      M.D.V. ;) If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about? Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you Rating helpful answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.

                                      G Offline
                                      G Offline
                                      Gary Wheeler
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #18

                                      I first read that as neurotic casual adventurer...

                                      Software Zen: delete this;

                                      N 1 Reply Last reply
                                      0
                                      • G Gary Wheeler

                                        I first read that as neurotic casual adventurer...

                                        Software Zen: delete this;

                                        N Offline
                                        N Offline
                                        Nelek
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #19

                                        Sometimes is not that far... :rolleyes: :laugh: :laugh:

                                        M.D.V. ;) If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about? Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you Rating helpful answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.

                                        1 Reply Last reply
                                        0
                                        • Richard Andrew x64R Richard Andrew x64

                                          In 1998 a contractor came to our place of business to give a short course in RPG. I must say I was impressed with how primitive it was.

                                          The difficult we do right away... ...the impossible takes slightly longer.

                                          T Offline
                                          T Offline
                                          tronderen
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #20

                                          Richard Andrew x64 wrote:

                                          I must say I was impressed with how primitive it was.

                                          I do not know RPG (except by name, for 40+ years), never programmed it, yet I am curious to your criteria for classifying RPG (or any other language as "primitive". Is it primarily because it is lacking certain features (if so: which features?) Or is it primarily for the way it is doing things? I am curious to how well such evaluation criteria - in a language independent from - would classify the languages of today, and their early versions, as "primitive". Was the original strostrup C++ language "primitive"? Was C&R C? Did C# start out as a "primitive" language, but at some version had developed to "non-primitive" and maybe later to "advanced"? I must admit that I think the last half dozen or so revisions of C++ and C# have brought "advanced" features that I'd rather be without!

                                          Religious freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two make five.

                                          Richard Andrew x64R 1 Reply Last reply
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