RE: Preferred method to access databases from Servlets

I would comment that it all depends how flexible you want to be and what
you are using the application(s) for. We have helped with implementation of
several Web sites using different versions of WebSphere (and Domino) with
Java to integrate with AS/400 back end systems. From security, performance
and maintainability points of view, if integrating with an existing system,
we would frequently recommend putting all the business logic in an RPG
program which is invoked via an SQL stored procedure from Java. We also
often use an SNA (rather than TCP/IP) connection between an AS/400 Web
server and a production AS/400, since this adds security. The only
connectivity option that supports SNA is the DB2 JDBC driver (DRDA), so we
normally choose this rather than the Toolbox one. The DB2 driver is also
simpler from the deployment/classpath point of view because it is shipped
with the AS/400 JDK. However, if using a non-AS/400 Web server, the Toolbox
becomes the better option because it works on any platform and anyway SNA
is out of the picture. Of course, switching from one JDBC driver to another
is not that complicated. So it's horses for courses in my view & all
depends on the application and its deployment environment. We have not
tried the record level access option because, as already mentioned, we
still find it best to keep as much logic as possible in RPG.
Mandy





"Eric Merritt" <cyberlync@yahoo.com> on 16/09/2000 02:10:40

Please respond to JAVA400-L@midrange.com

To:   JAVA400-L@midrange.com
cc:    (bcc: Mandy Shaw/Pacific/UK)
Subject:  RE: Preferred method to access databases from Servlets




I am afraid I have to disagree with you David. We house the AS400 Record
Level Access classes from the AS400 Tool box for java and we get speed ten
to fifteen times quicker then anything jdbc or sql could produce. We
package
these up in a standard interface so that we can switch them out if the
backend changes but as yet we have not needed to do that. If speed and for
that matter security is any concern at all look at the Record Level Access
classes. If you do it correctly you will have speed as well as the
potential
for portability. If you are a dedicated AS400 shop then portability may not
be an issue. I do agree with David in that you hide the access in some type
of interface or driver class and in that you move to version 3.5 which will
be out on the 28th of this month. We have been using 3.5 for a little while
now and have found it to be much superior to any of the other websphere
products so far. Be aware though that it implements Java 1.2.2 (Java2),
this
should not matter so much if you stuck to the core servlet api. In any
case,
we did not have to make any code changes when we moved over.

Hope this helps more then confuses,
Eric


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      Regards,
      Mandy Shaw

      Catalyst Solutions plc
      Kingfisher House
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      GU16 5SG
      UK

      http://www.catalyst-solutions.com
      Email: Mandy.Shaw@uk.catalyst-solutions.com

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