04
Mon, Nov
1 New Articles

TechTip: Three Open-Source Plug-ins for WDSC

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

Open-source plug-ins work well in WDSC, although some of them may be "eclipsed" by existing functionality.

 

The Arcad plug-in from my last tip was obviously intended as a tool for System i developers. There aren't a whole lot of other folks who need a 5250 emulator. And there really aren't a lot of other plug-ins devoted specifically to the System i, with the exception of a number of commercial plug-ins for things like source control management.

 

However, there are an astounding number of plug-ins, both free and for-fee, available for the Eclipse framework (over 1,500 of them at last count at the Eclipse Plugin page). So I thought I might bring some of those to your attention, particularly the free ones. One of the ones mentioned most often in the System i community is the Quantum DB plug-in. It's a great little SQL tool that allows you to navigate through an SQL database, including the System i, and query the structure of tables and execute SQL statements. It even supports an EXPLAIN PLAN syntax for Oracle, although that doesn't do a lot of good with DB2. Figure 1 shows a little bit of what Quantum DB does.

 

021508PlutaFigure 1.png

Figure 1: The Quantum DB plug-in offers several views. (Click images to enlarge.)

 

However, I think the majority of people using the Quantum DB plug-in probably chose it before the WDSC Data Perspective got as much attention from the developers as it did, because the version in WDSC 7 is light-years beyond the old one.

 

021508PlutaFigure 2.png

Figure 2: This is the Data Perspective that comes with WDSC.

 

Figure 2 shows you just the surface of the Data Perspective; I'd need another entire article just to give you an overview of this tool. If you review the figure, you'll see not only a powerful database explorer and a scratchpad for running statements and reviewing the results, but also an editable view of the file in the top right pane: You can go in and update fields in records as if you were using an Excel spreadsheet. This could interest the folks who are looking for an UPDDTA replacement.

 

Quantum DB has a couple of things going for it, especially the ability to export data in multiple formats, so it's not unreasonable to take it for a spin. But since I was somewhat underwhelmed by the usefulness of the plug-in overall (no disrespect to the builders; they've done a phenomenal job, but the Data Perspective does most of it as well or better), I decided to try a couple more.

 

First, take a look at the QuickREx plug-in. While most of us don't do a lot with regular expressions, they're a really powerful technique that can be used for several purposes. One is to validate data to make sure it matches certain patterns. This can be great to check phone numbers, social security numbers, and dates, especially as initial reasonableness checks on the client. As with any powerful technique, though, regular expressions can be quite complex and obtuse. They're not particularly easy to write and even harder to test, and this plug-in helps with both of those issues.

 

021508PlutaFigure 3.png
Figure 3: This custom perspective shows both the library and editing views of QuickREx.

 

QuickREx comes with a library view that contains a relatively small list of pre-written expressions (and for some reason I couldn't add to that list; the editing of the library may not be implemented yet). But it's easy to find more on the Web. And then you can paste the expression into the QuickREx testing view and try it out, keying various test strings to see if they match. There's even a pane for evaluation details that attempts to tell you why a given string matches or doesn't.

 

021508PlutaFigure 4.png

Figure 4: This is the expression editor.

 

Perhaps just as impressive is the expression editor. One of the problems with regular expressions is that they use an arcane symbolic syntax that is difficult to grasp and even harder to remember. The editor helps you by providing a list of various special symbols (such as D, which means "not a digit").

 

By now, I hope you've gotten the idea that you may really be able to enhance your WDSC to make you more productive by using plug-ins that weren't necessarily meant for WDSC. Now I'll leave you with one last little one that I find fun:

 

021508PlutaFigure 5.png

Figure 5: Here's the toolbar from the Winamp - Eclipse plug-in.

This is the Winamp - Eclipse plug-in. It's not really a development tool at all; it allows you to control your Winamp MP3 player from your workbench. If you have the Winamp player installed, this plug-in adds a small toolbar that let's you stop, start, pause, and change tracks using the standard international symbols. If nothing else, it's nice when you're in full-screen mode in your workbench (which I normally am) and the phone rings. A quick click of the pause tool and you can safely answer the phone.

 

Productivity enhancer? Perhaps not. But it is functional. And it demonstrates the incredible range of things out there.

 

A standard caveat: As with anything, you want to be sure this doesn't mess with your system. It's conceivable that installing a plug-in could render your workbench unstable or even inoperable. So you might want to do a backup before you install anything into your production workspace, but that's just common-sense care in the open-source world.

Joe Pluta

Joe Pluta is the founder and chief architect of Pluta Brothers Design, Inc. He has been extending the IBM midrange since the days of the IBM System/3. Joe uses WebSphere extensively, especially as the base for PSC/400, the only product that can move your legacy systems to the Web using simple green-screen commands. He has written several books, including Developing Web 2.0 Applications with EGL for IBM i, E-Deployment: The Fastest Path to the Web, Eclipse: Step by Step, and WDSC: Step by Step. Joe performs onsite mentoring and speaks at user groups around the country. You can reach him at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..


MC Press books written by Joe Pluta available now on the MC Press Bookstore.

Developing Web 2.0 Applications with EGL for IBM i Developing Web 2.0 Applications with EGL for IBM i
Joe Pluta introduces you to EGL Rich UI and IBM’s Rational Developer for the IBM i platform.
List Price $39.95

Now On Sale

WDSC: Step by Step WDSC: Step by Step
Discover incredibly powerful WDSC with this easy-to-understand yet thorough introduction.
List Price $74.95

Now On Sale

Eclipse: Step by Step Eclipse: Step by Step
Quickly get up to speed and productivity using Eclipse.
List Price $59.00

Now On Sale

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: