RE: Web to AS/400 Database connectivity

At 08:32 08/02/2000 , Art Tostane wrote:
>I'm aware of the Asna product.  The app that we are writing is written 
>using Lansa.  One of the web
>companies bidding is using the Lansa product, so there are no 
>problems.  I'm interested in options
>that are more "standard".  These web guys are talking about using things 
>such as Cold Fusion, etc.

Although I am also very impressed with AVR and the ease with which you can 
get data on and off of the AS/400 with it, you might also look at data 
queues in conjunction with ASP. The data queue control in the 5250 toolbox 
is a slam dunk to use and very fast. It's almost as fast and easy as using 
AVR and passing data back and forth as parameters. Either one of these 
methods have the added advantage of allowing you to control what goes on 
and comes off of your box, because you own the server piece. I would be 
reluctant to open up my system to software that I can't control, and about 
the only other option I know of is ODBC, which is very difficult to keep 
tabs on, slower and more resource intensive too. If you own the server, you 
can write code that takes advantage of what you know about your database. 
It not only keeps control in house where it belongs, but it makes the 
presentation more efficient, quicker, and less error prone. Everything I've 
read lately recommends a clear delineation between the presentation and 
business logic layers. That's one of the reasons I'm working with AVR, ASP, 
and AS/400 server applications to generate XML. The presentation layer is 
completely decoupled from the database. The web guys can make things 
pretty, but I get to control the data. It's quick too. XML isn't ready for 
use on the outside yet, although if you have a 6-8 month delay for 
development, it'll be a lot more common. My "customers" are all internal. 
If you do use XML, to some extent you'll probably end up proselytizing for 
Microsoft, because they appear to be the main consumer vendor that's 
supporting XML in a big way. Fortunately it's a vehicle that's worth 
supporting. Check out the SOAP protocol if you doubt it's going to fly.
Pete Hall
pbhall@execpc.com
http://www.execpc.com/~pbhall
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