28
Sat, Dec
0 New Articles
  1. You are here:  
  2. Home
  3. IT Infrastructure
  4. IT Infrastructure - Other
  5. Application Servers
  6. Integrated Web Services Server for IBM i

Integrated Web Services Server for IBM i

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

The integrated Web services server makes creating ILE-based Web services as easy as 1-2-3 (well, almost as easy)!

 

You've all heard the hype surrounding Web services and Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA). You possibly have done some research and probably got overwhelmed by the amount of information out there and may have begun to doubt that this stuff can benefit your business. Or maybe you wanted to prototype some business function using Web services and wondered how you can implement Web services on IBM i without having to hire a cadre of consultants.

 

In this article, we will try to answer all these questions, but first let us define Web services and SOA and explain how they can help a business improve the bottom line.

Web Services and SOA

Let's start with some definitions. A Web service is a repeatable business task that an application can invoke over the Web. Web services are self-contained and self-described. Basically, the Web service encapsulates the business logic that is exposed to the outside world via a contract. This contract, the Web Services Definition Logic (WSDL), identifies such things as the location of the service, the transport protocol, and the operations that can be invoked. The message flow between the client and Web service is based on the eXtensible Markup Language (XML), a standard way of passing data. Note that the Web service is programming language-neutral; you can write a Web service using RPG or COBOL or any other language.

 

Depending on your perspective, SOA means different things. From the business perspective, SOA is a set of services that a business wants exposed within the enterprise or between clients and partners. From an architectural perspective, SOA is an architectural style that supports service orientation in which your business is integrated as linked services. From an implementation perspective, it is a programming model complete with standards, tools, methods, and technologies such as Web services. And from an operations perspective, it is a set of agreements between service requestors and service providers that specifies the quality of service and identifies key business and IT metrics.

Where Have I Heard That Before?

At this point, you may ask yourself whether this is just a rehashing of object-oriented programming, and that's a good point. But the answer is no. SOA is different from past approaches and strategies for the following reasons:

  • SOA is based on standards. Broadly adopted Web services ensure well-defined interfaces. In the past, proprietary standards limited interoperability.
  • SOA services are linked dynamically and flexibly. In the past, service interactions were hard-coded and dependent on the application.
  • SOA services can be extensively reused to leverage existing IT assets. In the past, any reuse was within siloed applications.
  • SOA services focus on business-level activities and interactions. In the past, focus was on narrow, technical sub-tasks.

So What Are the Benefits of Implementing Web Services and SOA?

There are a host of benefits, including decreased cost, reduced risk, improved flexibility, and increased revenue.

 

But the central, overriding benefit of SOA and Web services is making a business more nimble.  A nimble business can innovate faster and has the ability to introduce new products and services, enter or create new markets, and revamp business processes--as soon as you envision them.

How Do I Get Started with Web Services on IBM i?

Web services can offer a maze of complexity for the developer, which sometimes appears overwhelming. Perhaps the industry has over-complicated the message of Web services with SOA by focusing on all the infinite possibilities and not providing a clear path. In addition, prior to December of 2007, it was not easy to create an Integrated Language Environment (ILE)-based Web service on IBM i if you did not have experience with WebSphere Application Server and WDSC. But things have changed. In December of 2007, IBM released support for Web services that is integrated as part of the operating system (this was released in i 6.1 and PTFed back to i 5.4). In order to get this support, simply load the latest HTTP group PTF for the release of the operating system you are on. To see the latest group PTF by release, go to http://www-912.ibm.com/s_dir/sline003.nsf/GroupPTFs.

 

The crown jewel of the integrated Web services support is the support surrounding the creation of ILE-based Web services. There are three key pieces:

 

  1. The ILE RPG and COBOL compilers
  2. The integrated Web services server
  3. The IBM Web Administration for i interface

 

Let us look at each of these, starting with the ILE RPG and COBOL compilers.

 

Enhancements were made in the RPG and COBOL compilers that allow the storing of Program Call Markup Language (PCML) data as part of the module object. PCML, which is based upon XML, is a tag syntax you use to describe the input and output parameters of program objects.

 

The integrated Web services server is a server that hosts Web services. It's built on the powerful yet lightweight integrated application server and best-of-breed technologies in support of Web services, which includes the Apache Axis2 Web services engine. The Web services server currently supports the following:

  • Dynamic generation of WSDL documents
  • WSDL 1.1 and SOAP 1.1
  • SSL and basic authentication via HTTP server front-end

Finally, to bring this all together, the IBM Web Administration for i interface is the way to create Web services servers, deploy ILE-based Web services, and manage Web services. An eight-step wizard takes you through the painless process of externalizing programs or service programs as a service, and it can do this because of the PCML data attached to the module objects. It is truly that simple! Once deployed, your ILE-based Web service is ready to handle requests from any client.

 

An important point to keep in mind when deploying ILE-based Web services is that it is not necessarily true that you have to rewrite your business logic or modernize it in order to deploy the business logic as a Web service. Nothing could be further from the truth. Sure it would be nice, but if it works, then simply deploy as-is. Nothing prevents you from updating the business logic in the future as time allows.

 

That's it from the server side of things. But we would be remiss not to mention the integrated Web services client for ILE, which is a piece of technology that allows you to generate a C or C++ stub from a WSDL document. The stub hides the complexity of communicating with a Web service. These are some of the characteristics of the integrated Web services client for ILE:

 

  • Supports document-style literal only
  • Complies with Web Services Invocation (WSI) 1.1 basic profile
  • Supports Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)

The C stub can be called by an RPG or COBOL application, allowing an ILE application to act as a Web service requester.

 

More information on the integrated Web services support can be found at

http://www.ibm.com/systems/i/software/iws/.

So What Are You Waiting For?

IBM i is made for business. It is rock-solid and proven. And now with the integrated Web services support, there's no reason not to hop on the bandwagon that is Web services and SOA. Give it a try. You will be surprised how easy it is. Really.

 

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: