> First off you should only change when the business model changes (the client
> decides that they need to have a web presence or some new application
> dictates the requirement for an upgrade).
It's much easier to catch up when you're 1 week behind than it is when
you're 10 years behind. Common sense, don't you think?
The same is true of learning programming techniques. If you're still
coding RPG/400 today, and tomorrow your boss says "we're going to the web"
you have a LOT more to learn than just web programming. You have to learn
the differences between RPG/400 and ILE RPG. You have to learn new column
alignments, larger variable names, date fields, expressions, prototypes,
subprocedures, static binding, modules, service programs, activation
groups... none of these have ANYTHING to do with web programming, but you
have to learn them ALL because you're 12 years behind the current
technology!
If you were already familiar (even if not 100% comfortable) with these
techniques, it wouldn't be nearly as difficult to just learn CGIDEV2 and
get going with web programming.
Even worse, there may be features of the new language that you don't even
KNOW about that could be bringing lots of value to your company or your
clients. Things that could make it easier for you to develop applications
quickly and therefore saving the client money. Or making your programs
easier to maintain, saving on support costs. Or making them more
flexible, and therefore bringing extra value to the customer.
Staying with obsolete technology until you need some MAJOR change like
going to the web is bad for you. It's bad for your clients and/or
company. Frankly, it's doing everyone a great disservice.
> A business could go broke trying to stay on the bleeding edge of
> technology. This is what is fueling the open source movement, why
> discard good pc's because gates came out with vista when you can run
> open source linux and extend the life of the hardware.
RPG IV was released in 1994. It's hardly the "bleeding edge" of
technology. It's more than a year older than Windows 95. Do you hear
people refer to Win95 as "bleeding edge technology"? Or for that matter,
Windows 98? Many, if not most, places have completely phased those
operating systems out because their old and obsolete. Yet, RPG IV which
is older yet is "bleeding edge technology".
I can certainly understand and agree with the sentiment of not jumping
immediately on the bandwagon when a new technology comes out. I'm that
way myself. I'll wait for a year, maybe even TWO, to see if this
technology is still around and still important.
But 12?! C'mon, Chet!
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