As IBM continues to bring cutting-edge, open-source solutions and capabilities like PHP to the System i business computing platform, software solutions leader Business Computer Design IntÆl. Inc. (BCD) has announced it will revolutionize the way developers approach this mainstream Web development technology with its newest product, WebSmart PHP, BCDÆs hottest product announcement in 2007, the company said.
System i developers, including those working on iSeries and the AS/400, now can create PHP-based applications that are native to the System i and run on other platforms including Linux, UNIX, and Windows servers, while accessing multiple databases all from a single development effort.
Elaine Lennox, IBM vice president of System i marketing, said about BCD's new WebSmart PHP, "IBM is pleased to see BCD support PHP in their WebSmart solution for the System i and multi-platforms, demonstrating again that they are a progressive System i solution provider. Like BCD, IBM is committed to helping our System i customers and solution providers innovate their businesses easily and cost effectively, and we look forward to working with BCD in growing the System i PHP community."
WebSmart PHP runs on top of Zend Core and supports all of its functionality. WebSmart PHP is far more powerful than just an editor because it guides the developer through every important development step so he or she can create dynamic Web applications that have great depth. Technicians with no PHP development experience can exploit its application frameworks and composition tools to construct complete, production-ready programs in minutes.
Unique System i-Centric Extensions Simplify PHP Development
WebSmart PHP comes with System i-specific features to support deployment on the System i platform. Libraries and library lists, for example, are an integral part of traditional System i applications. WebSmart PHP uses these features at run-time, providing flexibility for how you reference database files or make calls to existing RPG or other ILE programs.Intelligent Templates for DB2 SQL, My SQL and Record Level Access
WebSmart PHP supports applications for the System i that use either DB2 SQL or record-level access functions to process the database. It comes with more than 50 intelligent templates for either method for maximum flexibility and productivity. Each template guides the developer through the steps to perform a specific function, such as working with data, or input-capable lists for transaction-oriented applications, and others.MySQL databases also are fully supported by the templates so a developer can create PHP applications that run either on the System i or on other platforms. Since all the PHP and MySQL code is generated automatically one can use it as a teaching aid as she moves to other platforms. Also, once someone has created a PHP program using the templates, she can modify and enhance the code as much as desired using the integrated PHP code editor.
"We are pleased to have BCD support PHP in the System i marketplace with their WebSmart PHP solution. Those using PHP realize it is a fast, light, and scalable language, and BCD's decision to leverage these characteristics will only enhance BCD's leading reputation. Coupling the WebSmart IDE with Zend's Platform for i5/OS application server provides System i customers with an unparalleled solution for rapidly deploying and managing Web applications," said Jim Dillard, Zend IBM alliance manager.
Central Repository û Support for Multiple Databases
WebSmart PHP's central repository lets the developer define business, database, and presentation rules at the database level, effectively providing powerful data modeling capabilities. In addition, he or she can use either the DB2 System i native database or any MySQL database hosted on any server type within the central repository. WebSmart PHP keeps track of each database type and provides prompts appropriate to each file to help define rules. Once rules are defined in the repository, the intelligent templates can exploit them. As one goes through the steps in the design process for a PHP application, WebSmart PHP will include the appropriate repository extensions in the application design. For example, if one associates a customer master file along with a pop-up window to show customers with the customer number in an orders file, when he writes the order entry application, WebSmart PHP will automatically include the appropriate logic to show the customer pop-up window.Powerful Text-Based and Visual HTML Design Tools
WebSmart PHP includes both text-based and Visual HTML design tools. The Visual HTML design tool is a third-generation designer that makes it easy to drag and drop HTML design elements on the page layouts and intermingle PHP server code with HTML presentation code. It also has support for other crucial Web design technologies such as CSS. Developers can get a true picture of what their finished application will look like as they work on it. Alternatively, for those who prefer textual HTML coding, WebSmart PHP comes with a host of features designed to make them more accurate and productive as they code pages.Unique Separation of Content Presentation from Behavior
Recently, experts in Web programming have been touting the virtues of separating content presentation from program behavior. This is sometimes called the "Model-View-Controller" approach to development and it makes code easier to read and easier to re-use. WebSmart PHP promotes this approach to development through its unique facility for allowing presentation design to be decoupled from server logic instead of having PHP embedded in the HTML.Complete Integration to WebSmart ILE
If you are one of the thousands of programmers who already use WebSmart ILE you will find the transition to WebSmart PHP intuitive. Both share the same design infrastructure and functionality. However, WebSmart PHP also includes elements of user interface design that have been specially created to work with PHP programming needs, where necessary. A developer can move seamlessly between writing ILE CGI applications in WebSmart and writing PHP applications. You can also mix and match pages seamlessly without users ever having to be concerned about what underlying server language was used for a page or application.Real-Time PHP Syntax Checking, Prompting, Color-Coding, and Formatting
Many PHP editors are simply generic programming language editors with limited color coding. WebSmart PHP goes beyond this with intelligent syntax checking of PHP coding constructs, function names and parameters. For example, when you use a PHP function WebSmart PHP shows you a prototype of the function, along with tool tips to explain any parameters used by the function. You can also get context-sensitive help for any function, which takes you to the PHP Web site page that documents it.WebSmart PHP also checks for correct use of coding blocks, formatting of function calls, complex expressions and more. All these features help reduce the chances of bugs in your code, even before you start application testing.
Built-in FTP Client with Multiple Server Connection Capability
WebSmart PHP comes with its own fully integrated FTP client so you can easily connect to multiple servers, System i or others, from the IDE. You upload or download files through the folder tree interface, making it easy to manage your development efforts across multiple servers, platforms, and databases.Pricing, Integrated Suite Option, and Unlimited BCD Technical Support
The license fee for WebSmart PHP starts at $4,250 for up to two developer seats with additional seats priced at $1,950. A site license on a single System i for unlimited developers will cost $13,500. Licensing for multiple systems is also available.Organizations looking for a complete integrated modernization solution will be interested in BCDÆs promotional option: BCD will include two WebSmart PHP developer seats with BCD's complete System i modernization suite. The suite includes BCD's integrated WebSmart solution (ILE and PHP), Nexus Portal, Clover Query, SmartCharts and Catapult. The single partition promotion price ranges from $14,500 to $26,500 depending on System i family tier. SmartCharts will be included for free, with no annual maintenance, with either WebSmart solution or the suite.
SmartCharts includes over 150 animated flash charts, graphs, and key performance indicators (KPI) that can be called from WebSmart. BCDÆs Nexus Portal is also available free of a licensing fee (with paid maintenance) with WebSmart ILE, WebSmart PHP, or both. Nexus Portal offers controlled and secured access to applications, documents, enterprise content management, calendars, System i spool file access, instant messaging, user tools, and more. BCD will offer a WebSmart PHP discount to existing WebSmart ILE clients so they may develop in both versions. BCD includes unlimited technical support with WebSmart PHP and all of its solutions with included warranty or purchased maintenance.
The WebSmart PHP beta will be released in mid-June. Thirty-day evaluations will be available at that time by visiting http://www.bcdsoftware.com/wsphp. For questions on WebSmart PHP or BCDÆs complete integrated System i modernization suite call BCD at (630) 986-0800, or forward your request via e-mail to
About BCD
Since BCD introduced its very successful WebSmart solution it has become a key development tool for over 1,500 organizations that rely on the System i including Universal Music IntÆl, Starbucks, Formica, Mitsubishi Fuso, Konica Minolta, Canadian Kawasaki, and CompUSA.BCD has received more than 35 industry awards for software excellence and has 30 years of experience in the IBM midrange marketplace. More than 30,000 copies of its software products have been licensed worldwide by over 10,000 organizations. BCD is a member of IBMÆs System i ISV Advisory Council and is an IBM Advanced Business Partner. All of BCDÆs key solutions are included on IBMÆs System i Developer Roadmap are IBM ServerProven.
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