Are you struggling to locate RPG developers to work on your project?

You are not alone in this lane.

There are hundreds of other CTOs using the AS400 iSeries, sharing the same boat as you.

But, is it really that hard to find the right RPG developers to build your RPG applications?

Let’s break the ice!

A few years ago, some speculations started rumbling about the lack of expertise and experienced AS400 rpg programmers.

According to the chaos, the expert RPG developers, more of the first brains infused with RPG programming, are aging retiring.

Yes, this was a calling for the AS400 talent pool shrinkage.

But what caused the shrinkage?

It was no one else, but CTOs like you who wanted to the best RPG developers to work on their AS400 iSeries applications. Well, there is nothing wrong with expecting only the best to join your team.

But, coming back to the hard reality of it, there is definitely no shrinkage or lack of iSeries RPG developers.

Yes, we got to agree that a few of the IBM technologies have outgrown old and has very few experts taking care of systems built over, but not RPG for sure!

Moreover, RPG AS400 codes have evolved over the years, from copyrighted to open, from a rigid structure to RPG ILE, and from RPG language to AS400 RPG “free form.”

In short, IBM modified its code and operating system over the years, which conserved its domination. That transformation allowed for transitions from legacy systems to modern RPGs.

This is an intelligent move from IBM iSeries since young iSeries RPG programmers were learning the new AS400 RPG language at college.

Putting all this into perspective – Yes, it is difficult to find the right set of RPG developers to work on your project.

Can it get any easier?

Yes, it can.

How?

You need to figure out,

• What role RPG developers are going to play in IBM iSeries application development?
• How RPG Developers at Integrative Systems can help you?

What role are RPG developers going to play in IBM iSeries application development?

Before answering this question, it is essential to take a step back and discuss the RPG module to understand how it relates to the whole IBMi ecosystem and for hiring RPG developers.

RPG is no different from any other high-level programming language, but that’s only in theory.

In practice, by implementation and based on the internal mechanisms of the programming language, RPG is a domain-centric programming language.

RPG solely belongs to the IBM ecosystem, so it can only be used to program and deploy IBM business applications through RPG development services.

A high-level Outline of RPG Programmer Tasks

RPG programmers perform a wide variety of tasks.

They create new codes, maintain existing regulations, upgrade codes to new RPG versions, etc.

At a high level, the following are the activities performed by RPG developers:

• An RPG developer will analyze, design, develop, and maintain IBM i software applications or iSeries RPG web services written in any or all these programming languages – RPG, RPG ILE, SQL, and RPG-FREE.

• Note that RPG ILE or advanced integrated RPG refers to RPG IV, the two terms are used in lieu of each other, but they are the same. RPG/400 programs can be transitioned to RPG ILE program codes.

• RPG Free or RPG Free Form is a version of RPG ILE that allows RPG developers to write the logic in a free format. Because there is an efficient use of space, it is easier to code in this format, and reading

• Free Form RPG is also one of the reasons why developers of other programming languages move over to RPG. New-gen RPG developers love the flexibility of RPG Free Form and prefer it to write business applications.

• Read through functional specifications. Produce code documentation and supporting literature such as design documentation. Develop algorithms or pseudo-codes for advanced integrated RPG applications.

• Create RPG applications, iSeries RPG web services, add security for existing ones, fix existing RPG applications or transform existing RPG applications.

• Business process troubleshooting for issue diagnosis. Debugging software to identify and rectify software defects. Implement fixes or patches to resolve bugs.

How RPG Developers at Integrative Systems can help you?

Integrative Systems prioritize their customer’s success and hence focus on understanding the business objectives and offering a holistic solution.

If you are looking to hire RPG developers for your project, Integrative will primarily strive to understand your requirement and then suggest the right approach to go ahead with.

The team of one of the best RPG programmers at Integrative Systems can help you with:

• Analysis, design, improvement, and development of pre-written IBMi software program/application in various languages such as RPG, RPG ILE, RPG-FREE, and SQL.

• The RPG programmers will help you in following specifications to create technical documentation and create pseudo-codes

• Create new RPG applications or strengthen the existing applications.

• In the case of any trouble, RPG developers also can troubleshoot your business processes to diagnose the issue

• Additionally, our iSeries RPG programmers will debug any software program to find and resolve the issue

• Implement new codes and fix bugs in the existing program/application.

Conclusion

Hiring the right RPG developer sounds like a task when you have options available with limited to no clarity.

With the right insights on what an RPG developer does for you, what all you want them to do and whom should you go ahead with, will help you land just the right talent at the right time.

This piece of content will help you arrive at your decision, faster. If you still need help making the right choice, drop us a line at contact@integrativesystems.com and we will help you in every way possible.