21
Sat, Dec
3 New Articles
  1. You are here:  
  2. Home
  3. Programming
  4. RPG
  5. Rational Developer for i Alternatives

Rational Developer for i Alternatives

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

What do you do when you can’t scrape together funding for Rational Developer for i? There are options.

In case you haven’t noticed, since December my articles have focused on improving your shop and yourself. We have discussed investing in yourself, learning new programming languages, and updating your RPG skills. This article will continue that theme and discuss alternative options for IBM i source code editing.

Before we begin, let me be clear. Rational Developer for i is IBM’s platform for IBM i development. Period. There are features in RDi that you will not find in any other editor. SEU died at IBM i 6.1, and RDi is its official replacement. None of the alternatives we will discuss offer the depth of features and support from IBM that RDi has. If you can get your employer to invest in RDi, then do so. If you can pay for RDi out of your own pocket, do it. RDi is my preferred editor for ILE development and is worth every penny.

Now that I have made my opinion of RDi clear, you need to know that I often hear from developers that their company will not pay for RDi licensing or that the licensing is too high for them to pay for themselves. I do not want to get into the cost/value proposition of RDi and the inherent arguments that spawn from those conversations from both the “pry SEU from my cold, dead hands” crowd and the “RDi should be free” crowd. That’s not the focus of this article. This article points out valid options for code editing for developers who want to leave SEU behind but who cannot, for whatever reason, acquire a license for RDi.

Orion

If you are on at least IBM i 7.1, and you should be at this point, then you have the ability to load IBM i's Open Source Technologies licensed program, 5733-OPS. This licensed program includes several open-source technologies, including programing languages such as Python and Node.js, but Option 8 gives you access to the Orion editor. Information on loading 5733-OPS can be found on developerWorks.

Orion is a simplified browser-based editor. IBM has ported this open-source editor to IBM i and included syntax highlighting for RPG, CL, COBOL, DDS, and UIM. Orion automatically saves your source as you make changes, a feature I like. It also has built in support for Git, which is also included in 5733-OPS.

RDi Alternatives - Figure 1 

Figure 1: RPG code open in Orion

So, what’s not to like? It’s free if you’re on maintenance and at least 7.1. It gives you basic editing and allows you leave SEU behind. There is one other thing you will need to leave behind: source physical files. Unlike RDi, Orion is not exactly IBM i-aware. This is a drawback for many of the options we will cover. Since Orion does not understand the IBM i library system, your source will need to reside in the IFS. If you can live with this change, Orion is a viable option.

Notepad++

Many of us coders have used Notepad++ for various tasks over the years. It was once my default editor for C++. Notepad++ has gained popularity over the years for its flexibility, extensibility, and free availability. Thanks to my friend, co-worker, and fellow MC Press Online author, Liam Allan, Notepad++ can now edit your RPG code as well. In order to do this, you will need to load a couple of plugins Liam has developed.

First, you will need Notepad-RPG. This plugin provides syntax highlighting for RPG. Next, add the IBMiCmd plugin. Once the plugins are loaded, you will have the needed functionality to edit RPG code, submit commands to run on IBM i, create command bindings for compiling, retrieve and parse error listings, and convert fixed format RPG to free format.

RDi Alternatives - Figure 2

Figure 2: RPG code open in Notepad++

With these plugins in place, you can do your RPG development and even compile your programs. The tool to convert fixed- to free-format is a welcome addition. Again, from what I have seen so far, source physical files are not supported, but there is a lot of functionality to work with. I have not had time to dive too deeply into the functionality, but it looks very promising. With a price of “free,” there is a lot to like.

Visual Studio Code

I have been using Visual Studio (VS) Code for a few months for JavaScript, HTML, and Node.js coding. I found it to be a great environment in which to work on my JavaScript especially. The debugger for Node.js is really nice. When I heard that an extension had been added for RPG syntax highlighting, I had to try it.

RDi Alternatives - Figure 3

Figure 3: RPG code open in Visual Studio Code

With this extension, I can edit my RPG code next to my HTML, CSS, and JavaScript in VS Code. I can, of course, do the same with the other editors, including RDi, but since VS Code is my current preferred editor for these languages, the ability to make a quick RPG edit is great.

By the time this article is published, Liam Allan should have his ILE Tools for VS Code extension released. This release will bring new features to VS Code for IBM i commands, parsing compiler error listings, and converting fixed format RPG to free format. He was even kind enough to provide me a couple of screen shots of the extension in action.

RDi Alternatives - Figure 4

Figure 4: Compile-error listing in VS Code

RDi Alternatives - Figure 5

Figure 5: Fixed- to free-format conversion in VS Code

If Liam’s Notepad++ plugins are any indication of the features he is planning, this could become a great option.

MiWorkplace

If you must have an editor that can work with IBM i source physical files, then MiWorkplace is your almost-free option. MiWorkplace was priced under $50 per year at the time of this article. While not free, it is very inexpensive. It has the ability to work with traditional source files, navigate the IBM i library system, compile ILE languages, work with spooled files, and integrate with the JTOpen debugger.

RDi Alternatives - Figure 6

Figure 6: RPG code open in MiWorkplace

MiWorkplace is actively being developed by Mihael Schmidt. New features are added regularly, and the feature roadmap shows good things to come. A free trial is available if you wish to kick the tires before spending any money. While it is Eclipse-based like RDi, MiWorkplace is not as feature-rich as RDi, nor do I think it will be for the foreseeable future. It is, however, a very viable option when RDi is simply out of the question.

Wrapping Up

So you’re still using SEU, despite IBM’s stabilization of it at IBM i 6.1, because RDi is “too expensive.” You now have four new options to explore to get away from green-screen development tools. Will it require learning a new tool? Yes. The time to enhance your development tool is now. Kick the tires on all of these options—as well as a trial of RDi—and make an informed decision. Unlike the days of SEU, we have options for development IDEs, and options are always a good thing.

Until next time, enjoy your summer and happy coding!

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: