22
Fri, Nov
1 New Articles

Taking Orion out for a Test Drive

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

 

Some open-source development adventures of a former IT Director.

I’ve been in out of the IBM i development trenches for a while now. In fact, I can say I haven’t really written too much RPG or CL code in the last five years, due to on the roles I occupied in my former day job as an IT Director. The most I could muster is a whole lot of LotusScript.

While many of us are the master of all trades in our respective shops, it was my good fortune to have a few solid developers working on my team so I could concentrate on strategy and direction, rather than actually making things work behind the scenes. If I needed a report or a function, it was usually just a simple request and it was done later that day.

Over the last couple weeks, in a new job with a different company, I’ve been putting together some relatively long and wide SQL scripts using the Run SQL Scripts utility within the IBM i Access Solutions Client. The challenge was to move those scripts into a program rather than to use Run SQL Scripts. I wanted to automate launching those scripts rather than run them manually.

That led me to Orion.

I suppose I could’ve just copied the scripts into Rational Developer for i and let it handle the formatting of these scripts inside an RPG or CL program and be done with it, but I wanted to see what these new open-source tools could do. After all, those tools are available to IBM i customers at no charge as part of the Open Source Solutions licensed program (5733-OPS). I didn’t want to download 6 GB of RDi for a couple of programs if I could get going with a server-based open-source tool fairly quickly. I also didn’t want to manually muck around copying and pasting and formatting into Source Entry Utility (SEU) out of principle and sanity. And recently, the syntax checker in Orion has been updated to allow Control Language. Maybe a little cart before the horse (or perhaps foreshadowing) because you can’t compile a CL program from an IFS source like you can with an RPG program. Luckily, the i5toolkit project on SourceForge allows you to do just that with a custom command called Create Object From STMF (CRTFRMSTMF). So I’m all set for the most part. Now to get Orion working…

What Is Orion?

Orion is essentially a lightweight, web-based software development environment that runs directly on IBM i. Maybe it’s a perspective change, but I never really thought that I would be excited about a web-based source code editor. I figured that if I was going to edit anything in the form of a project, then I would download RDi or Domino Designer (both Eclipse tools) and “do it right.” Admittedly, that’s a pretty narrow viewpoint from a guy who loves the phrase “if the only tool you know is a hammer, every problem appears as a nail.” With that being said, it was really time to branch out and give some of these new tools a try.

Loading Orion is a snap. I just loaded 5733-OPS option 8 with a RSTLICPGM and then applied the most recent PTF (SI63852). This particular update gives us the Orion 13 base plus syntax highlighting for CL, COBOL, DDS, and UIM as well as some of the recent updates to the RPG language. Orion requires Java 7 or higher; however, I recommend loading Java 8 for security update concerns.

Once you’ve got the licensed program loaded and the requirements satisfied, you can launch Orion via the following Qshell command:

/QOpenSys/QIBM/ProdData/OPS/Orion/orion

To shut it down, enter the following command:

/QOpenSys/QIBM/ProdData/OPS/Orion/stopOrion

Orion listens on port 2025, so you’ll have to tune your web browser to the following address, substituting your own fully qualified host name:

http://yoursystem.yourdomain.com:2025

Note that Orion doesn’t come out of the box using HTTPS by default. You can configure it to use HTTPS using the instructions in the Orion Server Admin Guide. Orion doesn’t use regular IBM i authentication either, so your regular IBM i credentials won’t work. You can register for a new account, sign in using GitHub or Google, or use the admin account (which I’ll explain below).

There are two files underneath the /QOpenSys/QIBM/UserData/OPS/Orion directory (orion.ini and orion.conf), which allow you to do some administrative customizations.

In order to log in as admin, you’ll have to add a line of code in the orion.conf file, which will allow a one-time login as admin with a dummy password. Once you log in, you can (and should) change this password:

orion.auth.admin.default.password=abcdefg

Once you’re in, it’s pretty easy to get going. You can create a new project and then start adding source to it by creating new files. For instance, I added a new project and then created a source file called abc.rpgle. Now it’s just a matter of adding the code within the editor.

I’ve added a simple program so you can see the color coding as it identifies the syntax as RPG.

Taking Orion out for a Test Drive - Figure 1

Figure 1: Editing RPG in Orion

So once the program is ready to compile, you just need to point the CRTBNDRPG program at the source file stored in the Integrated File System (IFS). Yes, the source is stored in the IFS. Note how the path is constructed. I registered as “spitcher” on this Orion instance, so it created a “sp” directory as well as a “spitcher” directory. Once you know (or set) the default directories for your source programs, then it’s just a matter of feeding it to CRTBNDRPG as the SRCSTMF parameter and appending the program name. It would be nice to have a button coded somewhere that would allow an auto-compile feature.

CRTBNDRPG PGM(pgmlib/custpgm) SRCSTMF('/QOpenSys/QIBM/UserData/OPS/Orion/

serverworkspace/sp/spitcher/OrionC

ontent/test/abc.rpgle)

If you’re interested in source control, then you can then publish it to Git, an open-source, distributed source code management (SCM) system that can be applied using PTF SI63502. You can take your source code directory and register it as a Git repository on your system. Then you’re able to track code changes from version to version.

I’m not slick enough to tackle Git just yet. I’ve looked at it, and to be honest, it doesn’t seem that intuitive to get started. However, it’s extremely popular in the open-source community. I’m thinking I need to have someone show this older dog how the new trick works.

Regarding Orion, I think it’s a step in the right direction. I’d love to see some kind of prompting or language-specific help integrated into the product, but, in reality, it’s a simple and effective code editor. I’m impressed. I would encourage someone who has more skill with development on IBM i than myself to give it a try.

These are the tools that new generations of coders will expect to see. Loading them on your IBM i partitions for investigation should be on your list.

Like everything else in 5733-OPS, it won’t cost you a dime to do the 10-cent tour.

Steve Pitcher
Steve Pitcher works with iTech Solutions, an IBM Premier Business Partner. He is a specialist in IBM i and IBM Power Systems solutions since 2001. Feel free to contact him directly This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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: