The minimum you need to know about Java in OpenVMS
By Roland Hughes
ISBN 0-9770866-1-5
Stop there. If you haven’t read the first book in this series by Roland Hughes, “The Minimum You Need to Know to Be an OpenVMS Application Developer,” you should. Think of it as the prerequisite for a college course. Now, you’re ready for the second book, “The Minimum You Need to Know About Java on OpenVMS.” Why two books? Java was not covered as thoroughly in the first one. Trust me; you’ll be glad you have both.
The concept of this book is “how to convert your existing core business application to use Java, and still preserve your investment in the world’s most stable platform.” In other words, Hughes shows programmers how to create all the necessary tools to make Java a usable language in OpenVMS. Java is an object-oriented programming language somewhat similar to C and C++ but really quite different. Hughes makes a great comparison. Java has classes, but it has a single class called Array with no constructor defined. This means that the values can be stored anywhere and in no specific order. You’ll learn how to build the tools you need to build the tools you want. Pretty simple, right?
As in the first book, Hughes uses the same application to demonstrate each new tool, in this book, he uses Java with FMS and RDB. He shows how to develop a generic class that will be usable by indexed files, as well as how to use JNI to access RMS, FMS, system services, and operating system-provided libraries. Programmers learn how to create an infrastructure MMS procedure and how to use the support classes that the procedure creates. Hughes also shows how to access RDB through the JDBC driver, demonstrating the importance of SQL. An attached CD-ROM contains the Class source.
However, this is not just flat textbook reading. Hughes uses humor and informal language to draw readers to him. He comfortably refers to things like geeky books and nerdy attitude. He knows that this job is on the intense side of life. The information within the book is presented in a very professional manner, with detailed analysis and explanations, tips for troubleshooting and errors, and exercise quizzes that test your knowledge of it. You have to know these things!
The final chapter examines the future of IT and the decisions you make as you enter it. So you want to be a computer programmer, huh? Are you sure? Do not listen to your guidance counselor without first reading this book (and the first). Triple-digit hourly rates, six-figure wages…maybe not. Downsizing, layoffs, party or famine? It may be so. When looking for wise IT advice, turn to the guru, Roland Hughes.
