Re: Ruh Roh, STRSQL

Hi Dave

You're on the same track as I. Yeah, multi-format logicals can't be processed by SQL. Multi-member files can, if you either OVRDBF to one of the members or if you create an alias - the latter is an iSeries-only thing to get around how SQL knows nothing about members.

Actually, I wish that IBM had treated members as the actual table - they do that with path names in FTP, where you don't PUT a FILE, you PUT the member. Alas!

As to CGI/REXX - I'm not sure about using a REXX procedure for CGI. There IS Net.Data, which is a wrapper for CGI. You can call REXX stuff in there - even enter it directly in the scripts, I believe. The main problem? Net.Data is not getting any updates and probably not much support - I have seen discussions of it here.

But I think Net.Data is close to what you might want - you can execute REXX scripts with it - it uses a front-end handler program that is defined to the Apache server. To quote from the web page,

"Net.Data supports calls to RPG, Cobol, C/C++, and REXX applications."

That site to start from is http://www-03.ibm.com/systems/i/software/netdata/


For me the issue around REXX in the browser is, can the Apache server directly execute REXX procedures?

I did a google on "apache rexx" and found some hits - there's a module someone wrote around 2002 for Apache to handle REXX. There's a link at

http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/opensource/library/os-modrexx/

They mention most IBM platforms, not iSeries, however. They do say how the module calls a REXX processor, and such a program does exist on the iSeries, as I recall. One might have to compile the source for use on the iSeries - might be an interesting project.

modrexx is on sourceforge.net, too, at http://modrexx.sourceforge.net - list of functions at http://modrexx.sourceforge.net/RexxFuncs.html

I thought RPG was role-playing game? Oh, yeah, my son is on his computer far too much!

Those planes sound interesting - we have a little airport in my city, Fleming Field, and there's a hangar there for what used to be called the Confederate Air Force - they have a working B-29 that makes a lot of noise over town sometimes. Oh - I think Sky King landed there once upon a time! And maybe Penny, too!

I'll send you my cell number for the future.

Vern

On 1/21/2011 6:31 PM, BT Consulting wrote:

Vern,

Perhaps I didn't understand what the guy was talking about or I'm
mis-informed. In any event, I understood one couldn't use SQL against the old iSeries multi-format file structure used alot on the iSeries in older ways (not third-normal form) of creating a "file" instead of the modern way (at least third-normal form) of creating a DB2 table.

As to flying... too bad you weren't down here a few weeks ago when they had
a B-25, B-17 and B-29 at Deer Vally airport in PHX. I would have enjoyed
seeing them with you. Hope all is well there. Hope to see you again soon.

BTW, do you have any ideas on how to do the REXX/CGI stuff I mentioned in one
of my questions to this site? If you know the details of how its all set up,
I'd like to hear it. All I seem to find is vague references to it being
possible or ways to do it using PC REXX interpreters. I'd like to do as much
CGI/REXX work on the iSeries, as possible. Yes, there is always RPG (isn't that
Rocket Propelled Grenade?? hehehe) but I want to do prototyping first and
REXX is faster. Then, if needs be go to RPG or C. If you want to discuss
on the phone, send me your phone number to my email address on this post.

Thanks,

Dave

date: Thu, 20 Jan 2011 15:09:05 -0600
from: Vern Hamberg<vhamberg@xxxxxxxxxxx>
subject: Re: Ruh Roh, STRSQL

Dave

STRSQL works with every kind of physical file and almost every kind of
logical file - it's been this way since at least 1991 when I first
started looking at this stuff. Multi-format logicals, no. But not many
even iSeries people use them anymore. Multiple members? There is a
CREATE ALIAS to take care of that.

There've been many discussions in these lists about emulating the
behavior of multi-format LFs with SQL - not always pretty but doable.
But that's a bit off the direct topic, methinks.

I guess I don't know what you mean by the "non-DB2 multi-layered file
structure" - I've never heard of anything on the i described that way.
Please tell me more.

And keep on flying, my friend!!

Vern

On 1/20/2011 2:43 PM, BT Consulting wrote:

David,

Don't know if someone told you yet, but I doubt you'll be able to
access the non-DB2 multi-layered file structure of the legacy
way of doing things on the iSeries via STRSQL. Since SQL is made to only access
true RDBMS table structures and since the legacy iSeries file structure
are non-RDMBS, you won't be able to do what you wish. If you were
accessing a true iSeries DB2 table structure created by the CREATE
TABLE command or the similar way using native iSeries commands, then you'll be able to access it and use any SQL statement inside STRSQL. If you need more info, let me know.

Take care,

Dave Odom

------------------------------

--
This is the Midrange Systems Technical Discussion (MIDRANGE-L) digest list
To post a message email: MIDRANGE-L@xxxxxxxxxxxx
To subscribe, unsubscribe, or change list options,
visit: http://lists.midrange.com/mailman/listinfo/midrange-l
or email: MIDRANGE-L-request@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Before posting, please take a moment to review the archives
at http://archive.midrange.com/midrange-l.



End of MIDRANGE-L Digest, Vol 10, Issue 96
******************************************