RE: Replacing IIS with iSeries 400

Don, it depends on a few factors.  The first choice is JSP vs. anything
else.

JavaServer Pages are very flexible and easy to implement, and allow you to
use whatever architecture you most want to use.  You can put logic in the UI
layer (JavaScript), in the application control layer (servlets) or on the
host (RPG servers).  The downside is that you will need to learn a minimal
amount of Java.  How much depends on your architecture.  If you're going to
design a true client/server environment, the Java coding is minimal.  Also,
you'll need a web application server, either Tomcat or WebSphere.

If you decide these hurdles are too high, then I would highly suggest taking
a look at a "full" RPG CGI implementation, such as Simon Coulter outlined on
the WEB400-L list (which is also where you might want to take this
question).  In this, you have a number of service programs (how many depends
on the sophistication of your application) that basically perform the same
functions as the JSP compiler.  It's overkill, but it's probably the best
option for shops that simply don't want to learn Java.  (Whether that's a
good idea or not, I leave to you, but you can guess my opinion on the
matter.)

Finally, only as a last resort would I look to a 4GL.  The biggest problem
with a 4GL is that they are rarely open enough to allow serious
customization, and so you are tied to whatever the 4GL thinks is necessary.
If they don't support the ability to tie a dropdown to an AS/400 file, then
chances are the workaround is going to be pretty painful.

<SHAMELESS SELF-PROMOTION>

Or, since you are primarily an RPG shop, you might want to consider using my
PSC400 tool.  With this, you can do all your development and design as green
screen, and then automatically convert your green screen programs to run on
the web.  While the generated JSPs (see www.plutabrothers.com) aren't
particularly sophisticated, if you have staff with HTML skills, they can
easily modify the JSPs for whatever look and feel you'd like.  That way,
your RPG programmers concentrate on RPG, and your web folks concentrate on
the web, and you don't have to worry about them colliding.

</SHAMELESS SELF-PROMOTION>

Joe Pluta
www.plutabrothers.com



> -----Original Message-----
> From: midrange-l-admin@midrange.com
> [mailto:midrange-l-admin@midrange.com]On Behalf Of Schenck, Don
> Sent: Monday, October 01, 2001 9:29 AM
> To: 'midrange-L@midrange.com'
> Subject: Replacing IIS with iSeries 400
>
>
> Okay gang --
>
> I've managed to get my client to consider using their iSeries 400 box(es)
> for our huge browser-based application (that we are getting ready to begin
> developing) rather than the existing IIS-based stuff.
>
> My question is this: What would YOU suggest for developing browser-based
> applications on the 400?
>
> WebSphere?
> Chili!ASP?
> e-RPG?
> Java?
> 4GL (Lansa, COOL, etc)?
>
> Our skills are ASP, VB and RPG. We can learn new stuff, but would
> rather not
> if we can avoid it.
>
> -- Don Schenck, Schenck Technical Consulting