C# for iSeries RPG programmers

There are many iSeries RPG programmers out there who are keen to get started on another programming language that matches the flexibility and scope of RPG with the added web, windows and forms simplicity available in modern IDE's.
Which language will you invest your valuable time in? Java, PHP, Visual Basic, Delphi, Ruby, C#?


Java is a good, mature candidate since it also runs on the iSeries. Ruby is open and emerging as easy to learn, productive and object oriented. Delphi (Object Pascal) has been around for donkey's. PHP is mainly used for scripting and web pages so only server partial needs. Visual Basic and C# are just variations of Microsoft's powerful .NET platform but C# programmers get paid more. For someone still on the iSeries you will want a language that has excellent connectivity to the black box. That leaves Java and C#. C# has Linq! and is far easier than Java at creating windows desktop applications but Java does run on the iSeries. So it's a toss up but my friends, Linq pushes the argument to C#.

Let's look at C#.
C# (like Java) can be hard to read, is full of abstruse concepts such as polymorphism, inheritance and encapsulation. Five lines of RPG could be one line in c# and one line in RPG could be five in c#.
It's Geeky. At first glance code will appear to operate your vacum cleaner but will just read a file and print its contents. It gives you lots of ways to accomplish the same thing. Lots.
It's not simple. It's not easy. It's a pain in the ass.
It's a great language.

I recommend that RPG developers dive in to c# despite the challenges. The best way to deal with challenges is, of course, to ignore them. Yes, run away. Start writing code c# just as you would in RPG. In other words I am advocating to begin your next language which is built specifically for object oriented (OO) development to start using it as a functional procedural language. Write short little programs to display iSeries data in grids for the web, for windows, for handhelds. Think of c# as RPG for the desktop.
You may well be persecuted by OO idealogues who are (bitterly) passionate about the 'right ' way to code. They like 'coding'. RPG programmers like 'going home at 5'. They really couldn't give a shite. RPG developers are for the most part business oriented types who create software to solve real life business situations.

As time passes you'll find that you'll write more complicated code and will need to start using object oriented principles.Keep your eyes on this blog for step by step instructions for writing c# programs for use against the iSeries data and legacy applications and together we will work up to object oriented development beginning with procedural C# - let's call it RPG#.