Well... they will be at the end of 2009!

For some very strange reason, IBM have decided to kill the ILE RPG Programmer certification. As we all know, being an RPG Programmer is a rare skill set nowadays... and it's becoming rarer. I kind of feel guilty for never standing up and doing the certification. But then again, as I'm typing that I'm also thinking that I actually dont want a little plaque in my dilbertesque cubicle announcing to the world that I know how to do my job: I have a job therefore I know how to do it.

Would the aforementioned little plaque make me feel loftier than my sans-plaque peers? Maybe, just maybe  ;)

Job Role Description / Target Audience The IBM Certified Specialist - ILE RPG Programmer has 3-5 years experience designing and coding a variety of applications using RPG IV and ILE.  The successful candidate has a broad knowledge of RPG and ILE and has the ability to provide guidance to others who program in RPG .   Recommended Prerequisite Skills The IBM Certified Specialist should have the following minimum skills: 3-5 years performing a broad range of RPG design and programming activities Advanced knowledge of keywords and their functions At least 18 months to 2 years experience using ILE and /free form techniques Strong problem analysis and code debugging skills

I originally found that this certification program was being cancelled over on the Code400 forum, where a self-proclaimed AS400 Programmer asked what to do as the certification program was ending.

My response:

As the IBM AS/400 was retired ten years ago, you guys are not using an AS400 you are using IBMi on an IBM Power System so refer to the computer system that you are programming on, using the right name, and that is the first step towards certification

Remember the RPG IV Developer certification was withdrawn back in 2005, and now IBM announce the ILE RPG certification is being withdrawn so maybe (and this is just a quess) IBM will be announcing some kind of 'IBM i Developer' certification... possibly focusing on EGL rather than RPG?

I would love to hear if anyone actually has an inside scoop from Big Blue?

Was my lofty reply... so maybe I do need the plaque to make myself feel even loftier.  :)