Modernizing IBM i Applications from the Database up to the User Interface and Everything in Between


Book Description

This IBM® Redbooks® publication is focused on melding industry preferred practices with the unique needs of the IBM i community and providing a holistic view of modernization. This book covers key trends for application structure, user interface, data access, and the database. Modernization is a broad term when applied to applications. It is more than a single event. It is a sequence of actions. But even more, it is a process of rethinking how to approach the creation and maintenance of applications. There are tangible deliveries when it comes to modernization, the most notable being a modern user interface (UI), such as a web browser or being able to access applications from a mobile device. The UI, however, is only the beginning. There are many more aspects to modernization. Using modern tools and methodologies can significantly improve productivity and reduce long-term cost while positioning applications for the next decade. It is time to put the past away. Tools and methodologies have undergone significant transformation, improving functionality, usability, and productivity. This is true of the plethora of IBM tools and the wealth of tools available from many Independent Solution Providers (ISVs). This publication is the result of work that was done by IBM, industry experts, and by representatives from many of the ISV Tool Providers. Some of their tools are referenced in the book. In addition to reviewing technologies based on context, there is an explanation of why modernization is important and a description of the business benefits of investing in modernization. This critical information is key for line-of-business executives who want to understand the benefits of a modernization project. This book is appropriate for CIOs, architects, developers, and business leaders. Related information Making the Case for Modernization, IBM Systems Magazine







Who Knew You Could Do That with RPG IV? Modern RPG for the Modern Programmer


Book Description

Application development is a key part of IBM® i businesses. The IBM i operating system is a modern, robust platform to create and develop applications. The RPG language has been around for a long time, but is still being transformed into a modern business language. This IBM Redbooks® publication is focused on helping the IBM i development community understand the modern RPG language. The world of application development has been rapidly changing over the past years. The good news is that IBM i has been changing right along with it, and has made significant changes to the RPG language. This book is intended to help developers understand what modern RPG looks like and how to move from older versions of RPG to a newer, modern version. Additionally, it covers the basics of Integrated Language Environment® (ILE), interfacing with many other languages, and the best tools for doing development on IBM i. Using modern tools, methodologies, and languages are key to continuing to stay relevant in today's world. Being able to find the right talent for your company is key to your continued success. Using the guidelines and principles in this book can help set you up to find that talent today and into the future. This publication is the result of work that was done by IBM, industry experts, business partners, and some of the original authors of the first edition of this book. This information is important not only for developers, but also business decision makers (CIO for example) to understand that the IBM i is not an 'old' system. IBM i has modern languages and tools. It is a matter of what you choose to do with the IBM i that defines its age.




IBM System i Security: Protecting i5/OS Data with Encryption


Book Description

Regulatory and industry-specific requirements, such as SOX, Visa PCI, HIPAA, and so on, require that sensitive data must be stored securely and protected against unauthorized access or modifications. Several of the requirements state that data must be encrypted. IBM® i5/OS® offers several options that allow customers to encrypt data in the database tables. However, encryption is not a trivial task. Careful planning is essential for successful implementation of data encryption project. In the worst case, you would not be able to retrieve clear text information from encrypted data. This IBM Redbooks® publication is designed to help planners, implementers, and programmers by providing three key pieces of information: Part 1, "Introduction to data encryption" on page 1, introduces key concepts, terminology, algorithms, and key management. Understanding these is important to follow the rest of the book. If you are already familiar with the general concepts of cryptography and the data encryption aspect of it, you may skip this part. Part 2, "Planning for data encryption" on page 37, provides critical information for planning a data encryption project on i5/OS. Part 3, "Implementation of data encryption" on page 113, provides various implementation scenarios with a step-by-step guide.




IBM i 7.2 Technical Overview with Technology Refresh Updates


Book Description

This IBM® Redbooks® publication provides a technical overview of the features, functions, and enhancements that are available in IBM i 7.2, including all the available Technology Refresh (TR) levels, from TR1 to TR3. This publication provides a summary and brief explanation of the many capabilities and functions in the operating system. It also describes many of the licensed programs and application development tools that are associated with IBM i. The information that is provided in this book is useful for clients, IBM Business Partners, and IBM service professionals that are involved with planning, supporting, upgrading, and implementing IBM i 7.2 solutions.




Smarter Business: Dynamic Information with IBM InfoSphere Data Replication CDC


Book Description

To make better informed business decisions, better serve clients, and increase operational efficiencies, you must be aware of changes to key data as they occur. In addition, you must enable the immediate delivery of this information to the people and processes that need to act upon it. This ability to sense and respond to data changes is fundamental to dynamic warehousing, master data management, and many other key initiatives. A major challenge in providing this type of environment is determining how to tie all the independent systems together and process the immense data flow requirements. IBM® InfoSphere® Change Data Capture (InfoSphere CDC) can respond to that challenge, providing programming-free data integration, and eliminating redundant data transfer, to minimize the impact on production systems. In this IBM Redbooks® publication, we show you examples of how InfoSphere CDC can be used to implement integrated systems, to keep those systems updated immediately as changes occur, and to use your existing infrastructure and scale up as your workload grows. InfoSphere CDC can also enhance your investment in other software, such as IBM DataStage® and IBM QualityStage®, IBM InfoSphere Warehouse, and IBM InfoSphere Master Data Management Server, enabling real-time and event-driven processes. Enable the integration of your critical data and make it immediately available as your business needs it.




End to End Performance Management on IBM i


Book Description

Monitoring and managing your system's performance is critical to ensure that you are keeping pace with the changing demands of your business. To respond to business changes effectively, your system must change too. Managing your system, at first glance, might seem like just another time-consuming job. But the investment soon pays off because the system runs more efficiently, and this is reflected in your business. It is efficient because changes are planned and managed. Managing performance of any system can be a complex task that requires a thorough understanding of that system's hardware and software. IBM® i is an industry leader in the area of performance management and has many qualities that are not found in other systems, such as: - Unparalleled performance metrics - Always-on collection of metrics - Graphical investigation of performance data While understanding all the different processes that affect system performance can be challenging and resolving performance problems requires the effective use of a large suite of tools, the functions offered by IBM i are intended to make this job easier for users. This IBM Redbooks® publication explains the tasks and rich tools associated with performance management on IBM i.




External Procedures, Triggers, and User-Defined Functions on IBM DB2 for i


Book Description

Procedures, triggers, and user-defined functions (UDFs) are the key database software features for developing robust and distributed applications. IBM Universal DatabaseTM for i (IBM DB2® for i) supported these features for many years, and they were enhanced in V5R1, V5R2, and V5R3 of IBM® OS/400® and V5R4 of IBM i5/OSTM. This IBM Redbooks® publication includes several of the announced features for procedures, triggers, and UDFs in V5R1, V5R2, V5R3, and V5R4. This book includes suggestions, guidelines, and practical examples to help you effectively develop IBM DB2 for i procedures, triggers, and UDFs. The following topics are covered in this book: External stored procedures and triggers Java procedures (both Java Database Connectivity (JDBC) and Structured Query Language for Java (SQLJ)) External triggers External UDFs This publication also offers examples that were developed in several programming languages, including RPG, COBOL, C, Java, and Visual Basic, by using native and SQL data access interfaces. This book is part of the original IBM Redbooks publication, Stored Procedures, Triggers, and User-Defined Functions on DB2 Universal Database for iSeries, SG24-6503-02, that covered external procedures, triggers, and functions, and also SQL procedures, triggers, and functions. All of the information that relates to external routines was left in this publication. All of the information that relates to SQL routines was rewritten and updated. This information is in the new IBM Redbooks publication, SQL Procedures, Triggers, and Functions on IBM DB2 for i, SG24-8326. This book is intended for anyone who wants to develop IBM DB2 for i procedures, triggers, and UDFs. Before you read this book, you need to know about relational database technology and the application development environment on the IBM i server.




IBM i 7.1 Technical Overview with Technology Refresh Updates


Book Description

This IBM® Redbooks® publication provides a technical overview of the features, functions, and enhancements available in IBM i 7.1, including all the Technology Refresh (TR) levels from TR1 to TR7. It provides a summary and brief explanation of the many capabilities and functions in the operating system. It also describes many of the licensed programs and application development tools that are associated with IBM i. The information provided in this book is useful for clients, IBM Business Partners, and IBM service professionals who are involved with planning, supporting, upgrading, and implementing IBM i 7.1 solutions.




IBM AIX Enhancements and Modernization


Book Description

This IBM® Redbooks publication is a comprehensive guide that covers the IBM AIX® operating system (OS) layout capabilities, distinct features, system installation, and maintenance, which includes AIX security, trusted environment, and compliance integration, with the benefits of IBM Power Virtualization Management (PowerVM®) and IBM Power Virtualization Center (IBM PowerVC), which includes cloud capabilities and automation types. The objective of this book is to introduce IBM AIX modernization features and integration with different environments: General AIX enhancements AIX Live Kernel Update individually or using Network Installation Manager (NIM) AIX security features and integration AIX networking enhancements PowerVC integration and features for cloud environments AIX deployment using IBM Terraform and IBM Cloud Automation Manager AIX automation that uses configuration management tools PowerVM enhancements and features Latest disaster recovery (DR) solutions AIX Logical Volume Manager (LVM) and Enhanced Journaled File System (JFS2) AIX installation and maintenance techniques