RE: GUI alternative to IBM Query

midrange-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:

  7. RE: GUI alternative to IBM Query (rob)

I don't recall a response to my question if called programs, stored 
procedures, and the like are usable by PC based GUI tools.  I thought they 
mainly "give me the file(s) to query" kinds of setup.

Rob:

As a general answer, yes. IBM makes access available in a variety of ways.

Often for called programs, for example, they're available through the Remote 
Command and Distributed Program Call host server. That's the server started by 
STRHOSTSVR *RMTCMD. Any PC, or _any other system_ that can do sockets, can run 
commands or call programs with two-way parameter passing. IBM provides the 
interface specs for all host servers through the LIPI documentation; last I 
heard, that could be purchased for $500.

The documentation defines not only the interface to the servers, but also the 
authentication interfaces. This allows you to create completely your own 
programming for networked interaction without needing to install and use 
iSeries Access DLLs or APIs or any other component. Not for the faint of heart, 
but it works.

Aside from the host servers, other areas such as stored procedures can be 
called from PCs. Stored procs would commonly be accessed through ODBC or JDBC.

In short, the answer is "yes". But you didn't ask here if GUI products do it; 
you asked if they _could_ do it, i.e., are they "usable". I'm not sure if 
anyone but the vendors could really answer that.

Tom Liotta