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October 5, 2016

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Issue Highlights

October 5, 2016 Volume 15 Issue 19

LEAD ARTICLE: Practical CL: System Reply Lists

FEATURED ARTICLE: RPG Academy: Write Better Code—Tips for Organizing Your Modules and Service Programs

NEWS HIGHLIGHT: 2017 IBM i Marketplace Survey

MC PRESS BOOKSTORE: Most Popular MC Press Titles

EVENT: Put your IBM i RPG apps on the Web with ASNA Wings

Lead Article - Programming

Practical CL: System Reply Lists

There are times when you can't code around a system message, but at least with this technique you don't have to sit around and wait for it.

Written by Joe Pluta

Can't or won't?

           

OK, chances are that if you try hard enough you can manage to code around nearly any system message. But there are times when the amount of work required simply isn't practical. I'll give you a real-world example that I've run across on many occasions over the years and show you a relatively easy way to get around the problem, as well as an additional trick that can help in some stricter environments.

T.L. Ashford

Barcode400 Version 4.0 is the best software yet for designing and printing bar code labels from the IBM i.

Features include:

  • Easy Design with a Graphical Interface using IBM i Files.
  • IBM i Power - Barcode400 resides on the IBM i. Label formats are stored on the IBM i.
  • Many Ways to print - Print stand-alone from your desktop, or completely automate label printing by integrating into your application software. No Programming Required! The Power is in your hands.
  • Print to hundreds of thermal transfer printers and HP and compatible printers.
  • Output your labels as PDF documents.
  • Customer Support - Easily accessible and committed to making your experience with us as productive as possible.

Learn about new Features here, or watch a quick video on 4.0 features here. Download a 30-day trial here!

MC Press Bookstore

Don’t leave your IBM mainframe security to chance!

Get your copy of IBM Mainframe Security: Beyond the Basics today. You’ll learn senior-level skills for mainframe security from IBM mainframe expert Dinesh D. Dattani. With more than 30 years of experience, Dattani shares his advice on important security issues from a practical, real-life perspective. The tutorial format includes quizzes and pointers to help you assess the current security in your organization. 

MC Press Bookstore

Fundamentals of Technology Project Management, 2nd Edition

Whether you’re a project manager, student, software engineer, or IT professional, Fundamentals of Technology Project Management will help you gain a comprehensive understanding of the project management lifecycle and how to manage it—from first steps to intermediate topics (as well as some advanced ones).

 

 

Feature Article - Programming

RPG Academy: Write Better Code—Tips for Organizing Your Modules and Service Programs

It’s important to keep in mind that the naming conventions are not limited to variables, procedures, and files. Since you’re starting with ILE and building your first modules and service programs, this is the perfect time to start doing it the right way.

Written by Rafael Victória-Pereira

I mentioned that modules should aggregate procedures/functions by action and/or subject. For example, you should put all the functions related to database operations over the inventory files in the same module, while putting all the business logic functions (validations, rules enforcement, etc.) in another module. The next logical step is naming these modules (and the service programs that include them) following a proper naming convention and keeping everything organized in a simple, logical, and practical fashion.

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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: