Reeder Feedback On A New IBM i Team Is Needed

August 26, 2013 Timothy Prickett Morgan

Dan:

Quite often I pass the articles around from IT Jungle. This one caused quite a stir in our organization–in a good way.

My eyes were opened. I learned that management does not understand the difference between “big data” and “data centric programming” vs. “application programming.”

I am the database engineer here (a brand new position), and we are going through some growing pains as a result. But, we are in a perfect storm to embrace the challenges. I am looking for a good article, in plain English on data centric programming.

Thank you and keep up the good work. It’s great to get management so hyped up on a tech article.

–Deborah

Deborah:

Since publishing the database modernization article, A New IBM i Team Is Needed, several weeks ago, there have been several letters written in response. I’m glad for all responses because it indicates to me that the topic is getting more awareness, which I think is important. There are many cases where IBM i shops have ignored their databases, leaving processes in place that are 10 or 20 years old. You can admire that for its longevity, but you can’t deny that it dates back to a time when IT was far different than it is today.

It’s important to remember that when considering any type of IT enhancement or modernization that seldom is there a single-minded strategy that solves all the problems. And with the database, in particular, there is rarely (maybe never) a situation where all the DDS needs to be replaced with DDL. Likewise, it is almost safe to say that all traditional application development needs to be replaced with data-centric development. It is better accomplished with a pick-and-choose methodology that factors in where change is most greatly needed. Database conversions are not an all or nothing proposition.

Congratulations on your new position as database engineer. Whenever I hear of an IBM i shop with a database engineer or database administrator, it’s an indication that this is a company that “gets it.” Please keep me informed regarding the progress of your database and information management projects. We need to share more information on this topic.

By the way, Dan Cruikshank, the database expert quoted in the article from August 5, is part of a distinguished team that is currently working on an IBM Redbook on modernization. I have hopes that the Redbook will be completed and available before the end of October. In the meantime, if you care to read more articles on the database modernization topic, see the Related Stories list below.

Thanks for your email.

–Dan

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