Re: access as/400 database files w/Visual Basic 6

I'm not sure how I will access the iSeries data.  I know that ODBC is
probably the least efficient of all approaches, but it is also the common
denominator for access to many databases.

I would like to see reasons for & against the use of each of these
approaches (ADO, ODBC,OLE/DB, Sockets, NetServer) to access the database.

I am doing some research on how to access the iSeries data directly from a
VB
application (sales order entry front-end).

The VB application uses a SQL server 2000 database for its local tables, and
constructs XML to send/receive data with an EAI application that passes data
back and forth to the iSeries.  It does not currently have any direct access
to the iSeries database.

We are looking at various methods of retrieving iSeries data directly for
display/update.  I'm currently evaluating the DataGate/400 software from
ASNA, which uses sockets to communicate with the iSeries.

I'm also evaluating the use of ASNA's AVR (Visual RPG) product to build this
sub-application instead of having to build the functionality in the VB
application (OR, heaven forbid, using a screen-scraping application like
JWALK).


----- Original Message -----
From: <Ken.Slaugh@cm-inc.com>
To: <midrange-l@midrange.com>
Sent: Monday, August 12, 2002 2:18 PM
Subject: Re: access as/400 database files w/Visual Basic 6



Steve... How do you want VB to access the iSeries database? ADO, ODBC,
OLE/DB, Sockets, NetServer? Many of us within the midrange group have
created applications to do this, but most likely we are not an expert each
and every approach.

IMHO... The method to access the data should be chosen based on application
need and no single approach must be used throughout the entire solution.