Reader Feedback and Insights: He Learned Java

Hey, Ted:

This is regarding Steven's and Gary's letters. I have been working with the AS/400 and iSeries for the past 11 years. I am proud that I embraced Java four years ago and got Sun certification. I installed Tomcat 3.X on an iSeries and starting using servlets two years ago. I have also used WebSphere 3.5 and WebFacing to modernize a few applications. I am currently using WebSphere 5.0 studio tools and am porting servlets to 5.0.

Here are some things I would like Steven, Gary, and others to understand.

• Java is not like RPG, and the current Java is not the Java of a few years ago. Java has many arms. Each has its own use. IBM is not introducing it to sell more hardware. Java is a must in this current market.
• IBM was forced to introduce Java to the iSeries. Without Java, the iSeries would cease to exist.
• A good programmer with Java/WebSphere studio tools and DB2/400 knowledge will be worth more than any other programmer in any platform.
• It is not really difficult to learn Java, and the only thing you should do is stop comparing it with RPG.
• IBM, Sun, and others provide very good Java tutorials on the Web.
• Go for each piece of J2EE [Java 2 Enterprise Edition] technology.
 
• Tomcat is a good way for beginners to practice using Java.
• WebSphere is maturing, and some of the tools (like WebFacing) only take a couple of hours to learn.

In 1998 we were using XML/MQ and our own XML parser. We designed a workflow system connecting mainframes, AS/400s, and RS/6000s. It was a horrible system. Now I could design anything with Web servers.

Because of the vast possibilities, the question "why Java?" is meaningless.

--Arun

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