1. iSeries Client Access revisited
To all,
Since we have some new faces around here I thought I might take a minute
to provide this resource.
To anyone who works with the IBM iSeries (aka AS/400) and would like to
explore developing Windows interfaces to your AS/400 I might have what
you're looking for.
I've created includes that let you use Euphoria to communicate to the
AS/400 using the Client Access .dlls. I've wrapped the following:
* database
* data queue
* data translation (convert EBCDIC to ASCII and vice-versa)
* remote command (including call to programs on the AS/400)
* security and system services
I've also created a wrapper for the database api that lets you connect
to and execute sql statements on the AS/400 with a handful of functions
(much easier than the straight API calls).
I have examples using these apis as well as an iSeries SQL interface for
windows (similar to interactive sql on the AS/400).
If you're considering using these you should know that IBM only requires
you to pay licences for CA if you use workstation or printer emulation
(at least that's as of the last time I checked). So you can develop
Windows interfaces using the CA dlls without much additional cost
(except for the CHEAP $40 it cost you to register Euphoria).
You might ask "Why not use Java or WebSphere or any of the other tools
out there?". Good question. I believe that although the web provides
companies with a great place to conduct e-biz there still is a need for
some in-house work to be done that has no business being on the web. AP
data entry, just to name one. I like the Euphoria approach because it
lets you quickly develop Windows interfaces with very minimal financial
impact (WebSphere is big $$$$).
I'm considering setting up a web site to support my includes and provide
a resource for AS/400 programmers who want to give this a shot.
That's all for now, thanks to everyone who read this and has never heard
of the AS/400!
