Looking at the IBM website, I see that the compilers are optional. I'm guessing that this means one pays extra for them. Now why can't I find pricing online for 5722-WDS and for Websphere Development Studio Client? <p>Remembering that we're going head to head against Microsoft for a small business, Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 is a free download.

> Looking at the IBM website, I see that the compilers are optional.<BR>
> I'm guessing that this means one pays extra for them. Now why can't I<BR>
> find pricing online for 5722-WDS and for Websphere Development Studio<BR>
> Client?<BR>
><BR>
> Remembering that we're going head to head against Microsoft for a<BR>
> small business, Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 is a free download.<BR>
<P>
Unless you know something I don't, VS is not a free software product. It <BR>
may be a free download of the Trial version, but it's still a trial.<BR>
<P>
Bill <BR>
<P>
<P>

A common misconception. VS has express editions which are free, but are limited to hobbiest/student use. Visual Studio Professional is $800. Products go up in price from there, including the $10K Team Edition. <p>Joe

They may be targeted at hobbiest/student use, but there is nothing in the license that puts any restrictions on who may use it, or what they may use it for. In fact the agreement I read when I installed my copy specifically stated that I could use it to write applications which I could sell(ie. commercial applications), and not be liable for anything to MS. <p>Personally, if IBM were to release VA/RPG as a freebie, it just might help them gain some mind share for RPG. Especially if they were as generous with the licensing as MS is with VS express. <p>Further, I doubt that this would cost IBM very much since, so far as I can tell, there aren't very many shops that actually use VA/RPG in production. <p>It is true that there are some things that are harder to do with VA/RPG than with c# and .net, but on the other hand, when you work on something that is within the VA/RPG strong areas, then VA/RPG is much easier to work with.

True, but IBM has shown no interest in gaining mind share for RPG, to be brutally honest about it. <p> They probably have done all the equivalent free development stuff they want to with Eclipse and web related plug-ins for that and possibly Websphere oriented plug-ins they may have made available. <p> rd

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