RE: Web apps on the AS/400

The AS/400 does not support a native graphical interface, so Swing will not
run on an AS/400.  Many people get confused by that, and wonder how to run
graphical applications on the AS/400.  Since the traditional 5250 data
stream doesn't directly support bit-mapped graphics, there's no way to run
graphical applications on the AS/400.  On the other hand, you CAN run
graphical applications that access AS/400 data on any platform, using the
classes of IBM's Java Toolbox (which, by the way, is available for free
download with source).

However, I don't usually write thick-client code, my focus right now is on
browser technology - that is, communicating via HTML with a browser.  And
this does indeed run on the AS/400, quite well.  I have many applications
written using a browser to communicate directly with AS/400 programs.  I can
take a green-screen application, and, by calling APIs instead of using
screen I/O opcodes, I can communicate directly with a browser.  Or, I can
write applications that communicate using data queues to business logic
servers.  Either way, I have instant browser access to any of my business
data, from any PC with a browser.  And all of this is using WebSphere
standard edition, which comes free with OS/400.

And I know you don't want to trivialize my work, Leif, which is why I was a
little taken aback.  I greatly admire what you've done with MI, and I am
hoping to get some time to buy your e-book and try my own hand at it.
Hopefully I'll be able to do that when I come back from my honeymoon
<smile>.

Joe


> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-midrange-l@midrange.com
> [mailto:owner-midrange-l@midrange.com]On Behalf Of Leif Svalgaard
> Sent: Saturday, March 17, 2001 4:10 PM
> To: MIDRANGE-L@midrange.com
> Subject: Re: Web apps on the AS/400
>
>
> Well, silly me!
> Maybe I'm just a Luddite or my BS-filter is on too high a setting.
> One cannot argue with a true believer. A friend of mine (as
> 62% of all Americans) believe the World is 6000 years old.
> No amount of argument can convincve him otherwise.
>
> But I was intrigued by your cross-platform Java UI.
> Are you saying that it runs on an AS/400?
> If that's the case I'll shut up and be an instant
> convert. You see, I have actually not done *any*
> java on the As/400. Only on a PC. I'm thus
> actually ignorant whereof I speak. And maybe
> it shows. On the other hand, my BS-filter has
> served me well in the past. Maybe it is time to retire it
> and jump on the band-waggon. Maybe I would do it
> for money. Is there big money in Java on the AS/400?
>
> Again: I'm a big fan of you and do not wish to
> trivialize your work.
>
> Leif
>

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