Directions for Java/400

[pluta@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

OK, folks, I'd like to get started on a little discussion here.

Those of you who have visited my site know that I have some packages in various
stages of completeness.  Just to do a quick recap, they are:

JDB/400: A package that allows methods like SETLL and READE on AS/400 files.
JBUI: A 5250-like emulation package that allows field errors and protection and
supports ad EXFMT method
JDQM: A data queue message protocol

The first read-only version of JDB/400 is released.  The first screen-only (no
subfile) version of JBUI has been released (but without much example code so
far).  I haven't packaged JDQM yet.

I've also found a really nice, small, inexpensive (as in FREE) 100% Java SQL
database that supports JOINs and triggers and lots of other goodies.  It's
called InstantDB and can be found at www.instantdb.co.uk.

With all these pieces, I'm on the brink of being able to develop some really
nice standard classes for platform-independent development that still takes
advantage of the native AS/400 database.

Here are some possible areas:

1. Subfile support in JBUI
2. A platform independent persistent business object class that supports either
JDBC or native AS/400 file I/O
3. Automatic generation of JBUI panels for JDB/400 files
4. "Bean-ification" of the JDB and JBUI packages (making beans for these pieces)
5. More sophisticated JDB support (header/detail relationships, logicals on the
fly, and so on)
6. Basic business class support (like field validations)

Okay, here's where I need some help, folks.  What would you all like to see
next?  And more importantly, who wants to help?  For example, I don't know beans
about JavaBeans.  Anybody want to work with me a little bit to make that happen?
Anybody have some ideas on basic business classes?

I'd like this mailing list to be the place where Java/400 comes to life.  We can
use my website as a repository of information, and use this mailing list as our
vehicle of communication.

Who's ready to brew some Java?

Joe "Zappie" Pluta
www.zappie.net/java
"Where the AS/400 speaks Java with an RPG accent"


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