1.4.1 Why a 4GL / RDML?
LANSA's RDML (Rapid Maintenance and Development Language) allows a developer to create a High-Level Application Definition or abstraction of your business application. This definition is independent of the operating platform. Defining logic with a 4GL makes your programs independent of the 3GL layer. A 4GL will eventually generate some type of 3GL code which is compiled and executed, but the developer need never see or modify the generated 3GL. In fact, it should not matter to the developer which 3GL is used. A High Level Application Definition should allow you to generate or regenerate the same applications in different languages to make your applications portable.
Why use a 4GL / RDML:
- High Productivity (Reduce Backlog): A single RDML command can replace hundreds of lines of 3GL code.
- Reduce Maintenance Effort: High-level constructs and less code make maintenance much easier.
- Platform Independent Definition: RDML can be generated into multiple languages to support multiple platforms.
- Portable & Durable: RDML is platform independent and can be extended, without impacting the developer, as 3GL languages improve and change.
- Focus on Business Application Logic: RDML is easy to use so that the developer can focus on the business logic instead of the programming language.
As your business and technology changes, LANSA's RDML protects your application programming efforts.