04
Mon, Nov
5 New Articles
  1. You are here:  
  2. Home
  3. News
  4. Programming News
  5. Development Tools / Utilities
  6. IBM Provides an Evaluation Option for Open Access RPG Edition

IBM Provides an Evaluation Option for Open Access RPG Edition

Development Tools / Utilities
Typography
  • Smaller Small Medium Big Bigger
  • Default Helvetica Segoe Georgia Times

IBM Rational Open Access: RPG Edition V1.1.1 delivers a means to let customers evaluate and test the product capabilities internally for 70 days without a license key. 

 

Editor's Note: For the convenience of readers, below is a lightly edited version of the IBM announcement regarding the 70-day evaluation window for Rational Open Access: RPG Edition. The complete IBM announcement, with additional details readers may need, is located on the company's website, and may be accessed from the link found at the end of this extract.

 

Effective last Friday, IBM Rational Open Access: RPG Edition V1.1.1 was made available in the IBM Entitled Software Support (ESS) website for evaluation. Because it is not included in the IBM i Keyed Product media, …[users] can download the product in ESS for internal evaluation, testing, or demonstration purposes for 70 days without a valid license key. 

After 70 days the product will not operate without a valid license key. To continue using the product after 70 days, ...[the user] must then obtain a valid license key by purchasing the product. 

IBM Rational Open Access: RPG Edition allows: 

• Organizations to reuse existing skills when creating modern RPG-based applications by providing a way for RPG developers to use the simple and well-understood RPG I/O model to access resources and devices that are not natively supported by RPG 

• Software tool vendors, business partners, services organizations, and users to create and offer I/O handlers to access the wide range of available resources and devices, creating an innovative array of options for RPG development organizations 

To download IBM Rational Open Access: RPG Edition V1.1.1, for evaluation from ESS, follow the steps below: 

1. Access

https://www.ibm.com/servers/eserver/ess 

2. Click "IBM i Evaluation, Try&Buy and NLV download" option in the left pane

3. Select your customer number

4. Select the machine to download the software product for

5. Select product ID 5733-OAR

6. Click to continue

For instruction on how to burn CDs/DVDs, go to

http://www.ibm.com/systems/support/software/delivery/en_US/burningcds.html 

Further details about ESS software downloads can be found in the help section:

http://www.ibm.com/systems/support/software/delivery/en_US/downloading.html 

For ordering, users should contact their IBM representative or an IBM Business Partner. For more information contact the Americas Call Centers at 800-IBM-CALL (426-2255). Reference: AE001 

The RPG IV programming language has a strong record of being an efficient and productive language for writing business applications on IBM i. With each IBM i release, the language has been continuously enhanced, including the latest 7.1 release. These enhancements allowed RPG IV to interoperate with other languages in today's mixed environments, with improved application maintenance and quality, and kept RPG IV current with system enhancements. 

Other major enhancements, such as the introduction of the Integrated Language Environment (ILE) and local files support in procedures, have allowed organizations to write modular, reusable code following programming best practices. 

To further modernize the language and allow RPG-based applications to interface with the wide range of new devices and resources, enhancements were made to RPG IV in IBM i 7.1 and 6.1 to open up the file I/O capabilities. This allowed anyone to write innovative I/O handlers to access other devices and resources such as: 

• Browsers

• Mobile devices

• Cloud computing resources

• Web services

• External databases

• XML files

• Spreadsheets 

Software tool vendors, business partners, services organizations, and users write the handlers that extend RPG IV's I/O capabilities to new resources and devices. IBM Rational Open Access: RPG Edition provides the runtime enablement for the I/O handlers. RPG developers can access the resource or device in their applications using native RPG file specifications and I/O operations, allowing developers to reuse their existing skills and gaining the programming efficiency that organizations, typically expected from RPG. 

IBM Rational Open Access: RPG Edition is required on partitions where programs using I/O handlers are running. 

Open Access is a full-featured version of the limited support provided by RPG SPECIAL files. It provides a way for RPG programmers to use the simple and well-understood RPG I/O model to access devices that are not directly supported by RPG. 

When the HANDLER keyword is specified on a File specification, the RPG compiler will generate code to use the specified handling procedure for I/O operations to the file rather than generating code to call the system's data management functions. 

The HANDLER keyword can be used for any RPG device, DISK, PRINTER, or WORKSTN. The provider of the handling procedure can choose the RPG device-type that best fits the function that the handler provides. For example, a user interface application could map to a WORKSTN file, an Excel document could map to a PRINTER file, and a web service could map to a keyed DISK file. 

IBM Rational Open Access: RPG Edition opens up the RPG file I/O capabilities, allowing software tool vendors, business partners, services organizations, and users to write custom I/O handlers that can access new devices and resources that are not directly supported by RPG. This allows RPG developers to write applications that can directly access these devices and resources while still using the regular RPG I/O model. 

IBM Rational Host Access Transformation Services (HATS) performs runtime transformations of 5250 applications, allowing existing applications to be extended to the web, web services, portlets, rich clients, and mobile devices. Because HATS transforms the 5250 data stream, it does not require any changes to the application source code and is effective for organizations needing a quick, low-cost solution. It is also effective when the source code for the application is not available. 

IBM Rational Developer for i for SOA Construction provides the development tooling for Enterprise Generation Language (EGL), a high- level business language designed for portability and to simplify the development of Web 2.0 and SOA solutions. EGL shields developers from the underlying middleware and programming languages. These abstractions allow developers to use a single language for all aspects of the applications: user interface, controller logic, and business logic. EGL has built-in language support for calling batch RPG and COBOL programs and service programs on IBM i so organizations can reuse existing business logic. 

IBM Rational Application Developer for WebSphere Software provides Java and Java Enterprise Edition (Java EE) development tools, helping teams design, develop, test, profile, and deploy portal, Web/Web 2.0, web services, and SOA applications. Java can call batch RPG and COBOL programs and service programs on IBM i so organizations can reuse existing business logic. Rational Application Developer should be used by teams using Java as a platform for modernizing their IBM i applications with Web user interfaces and Web services interfaces. 

IBM Rational Developer for Power Systems Software: RPG and COBOL Development Tools for i provides a modern integrated development environment for creating and maintaining RPG-, COBOL-, CL-, and DDS-based applications on IBM i, independent of the style of application or technology used for user interface, services interfaces, or database technology. IBM Rational Developer for Power Systems Software can be installed into the same workbench as HATS, IBM Rational Developer for i for SOA Construction, and IBM Rational Developer for Power Systems Software: RPG and COBOL Development Tools for i, providing developers with a single workbench for creating and maintaining all aspects of their applications.

For additional details, see IBM United States Software Announcement 211-253.

IBM is a leading global hybrid cloud and AI, and business services provider, helping clients in more than 175 countries capitalize on insights from their data, streamline business processes, reduce costs and gain the competitive edge in their industries. Nearly 3,000 government and corporate entities in critical infrastructure areas such as financial services, telecommunications and healthcare rely on IBM's hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift to affect their digital transformations quickly, efficiently, and securely. IBM's breakthrough innovations in AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions and business services deliver open and flexible options to our clients. All of this is backed by IBM's legendary commitment to trust, transparency, responsibility, inclusivity, and service.

For more information, visit: www.ibm.com.

BLOG COMMENTS POWERED BY DISQUS

LATEST COMMENTS

Support MC Press Online

$

Book Reviews

Resource Center

  • SB Profound WC 5536 Have you been wondering about Node.js? Our free Node.js Webinar Series takes you from total beginner to creating a fully-functional IBM i Node.js business application. You can find Part 1 here. In Part 2 of our free Node.js Webinar Series, Brian May teaches you the different tooling options available for writing code, debugging, and using Git for version control. Brian will briefly discuss the different tools available, and demonstrate his preferred setup for Node development on IBM i or any platform. Attend this webinar to learn:

  • SB Profound WP 5539More than ever, there is a demand for IT to deliver innovation. Your IBM i has been an essential part of your business operations for years. However, your organization may struggle to maintain the current system and implement new projects. The thousands of customers we've worked with and surveyed state that expectations regarding the digital footprint and vision of the company are not aligned with the current IT environment.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT Generic IBM announced the E1080 servers using the latest Power10 processor in September 2021. The most powerful processor from IBM to date, Power10 is designed to handle the demands of doing business in today’s high-tech atmosphere, including running cloud applications, supporting big data, and managing AI workloads. But what does Power10 mean for your data center? In this recorded webinar, IBMers Dan Sundt and Dylan Boday join IBM Power Champion Tom Huntington for a discussion on why Power10 technology is the right strategic investment if you run IBM i, AIX, or Linux. In this action-packed hour, Tom will share trends from the IBM i and AIX user communities while Dan and Dylan dive into the tech specs for key hardware, including:

  • Magic MarkTRY the one package that solves all your document design and printing challenges on all your platforms. Produce bar code labels, electronic forms, ad hoc reports, and RFID tags – without programming! MarkMagic is the only document design and print solution that combines report writing, WYSIWYG label and forms design, and conditional printing in one integrated product. Make sure your data survives when catastrophe hits. Request your trial now!  Request Now.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericForms of ransomware has been around for over 30 years, and with more and more organizations suffering attacks each year, it continues to endure. What has made ransomware such a durable threat and what is the best way to combat it? In order to prevent ransomware, organizations must first understand how it works.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericIT security is a top priority for businesses around the world, but most IBM i pros don’t know where to begin—and most cybersecurity experts don’t know IBM i. In this session, Robin Tatam explores the business impact of lax IBM i security, the top vulnerabilities putting IBM i at risk, and the steps you can take to protect your organization. If you’re looking to avoid unexpected downtime or corrupted data, you don’t want to miss this session.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericCan you trust all of your users all of the time? A typical end user receives 16 malicious emails each month, but only 17 percent of these phishing campaigns are reported to IT. Once an attack is underway, most organizations won’t discover the breach until six months later. A staggering amount of damage can occur in that time. Despite these risks, 93 percent of organizations are leaving their IBM i systems vulnerable to cybercrime. In this on-demand webinar, IBM i security experts Robin Tatam and Sandi Moore will reveal:

  • FORTRA Disaster protection is vital to every business. Yet, it often consists of patched together procedures that are prone to error. From automatic backups to data encryption to media management, Robot automates the routine (yet often complex) tasks of iSeries backup and recovery, saving you time and money and making the process safer and more reliable. Automate your backups with the Robot Backup and Recovery Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAManaging messages on your IBM i can be more than a full-time job if you have to do it manually. Messages need a response and resources must be monitored—often over multiple systems and across platforms. How can you be sure you won’t miss important system events? Automate your message center with the Robot Message Management Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAThe thought of printing, distributing, and storing iSeries reports manually may reduce you to tears. Paper and labor costs associated with report generation can spiral out of control. Mountains of paper threaten to swamp your files. Robot automates report bursting, distribution, bundling, and archiving, and offers secure, selective online report viewing. Manage your reports with the Robot Report Management Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAFor over 30 years, Robot has been a leader in systems management for IBM i. With batch job creation and scheduling at its core, the Robot Job Scheduling Solution reduces the opportunity for human error and helps you maintain service levels, automating even the biggest, most complex runbooks. Manage your job schedule with the Robot Job Scheduling Solution. Key features include:

  • LANSA Business users want new applications now. Market and regulatory pressures require faster application updates and delivery into production. Your IBM i developers may be approaching retirement, and you see no sure way to fill their positions with experienced developers. In addition, you may be caught between maintaining your existing applications and the uncertainty of moving to something new.

  • LANSAWhen it comes to creating your business applications, there are hundreds of coding platforms and programming languages to choose from. These options range from very complex traditional programming languages to Low-Code platforms where sometimes no traditional coding experience is needed. Download our whitepaper, The Power of Writing Code in a Low-Code Solution, and:

  • LANSASupply Chain is becoming increasingly complex and unpredictable. From raw materials for manufacturing to food supply chains, the journey from source to production to delivery to consumers is marred with inefficiencies, manual processes, shortages, recalls, counterfeits, and scandals. In this webinar, we discuss how:

  • The MC Resource Centers bring you the widest selection of white papers, trial software, and on-demand webcasts for you to choose from. >> Review the list of White Papers, Trial Software or On-Demand Webcast at the MC Press Resource Center. >> Add the items to yru Cart and complet he checkout process and submit

  • Profound Logic Have you been wondering about Node.js? Our free Node.js Webinar Series takes you from total beginner to creating a fully-functional IBM i Node.js business application.

  • SB Profound WC 5536Join us for this hour-long webcast that will explore:

  • Fortra IT managers hoping to find new IBM i talent are discovering that the pool of experienced RPG programmers and operators or administrators with intimate knowledge of the operating system and the applications that run on it is small. This begs the question: How will you manage the platform that supports such a big part of your business? This guide offers strategies and software suggestions to help you plan IT staffing and resources and smooth the transition after your AS/400 talent retires. Read on to learn: