Re: api/socket solution to talk to a PC

I'd use sockets.  I've tried to do something very similar to this, and
I've done in 3 different ways...   1) Data Queues, 2) APPC Verbs and
3) Sockets.

I found that data queues across a network are not robust.  After the
program had been running for an hour or so, it would crash.   Sometimes
it would just lock up.   We never knew what the problem was.   When things
were working, there was sometimes up to a second of delay, which was not
usually acceptable.

APPC was much more robust, but the programming was awkward, due to APPC's
half-duplex way of talking.  Still, after the startup, the speed was
acceptable.

Sockets worked perfectly.   Easy & powerful to program with.  Speed was
very good.  Plus, if the connection to the PC goes down (cable gets cut,
etc) we can use a normal modem and PPP.  Since sockets are so widely used
on every platform (thanks to the internet) they are very well tested, and
quite robust.   Benchmarking the sockets showed that they outperform both
APPC and Data Queues.

I don't know how quickly you learn things... you might be able to learn
enough about sockets to do your program by the end of the week...
Check out my (Free) online socket tutorial:

       http://klement.dstorm.net/rpg/socktut/


On Wed, 18 Sep 2002, Mark A. Manske wrote:

> I am out on a limb here - and desperate for a quick study -
>
> Here is the scenario -
>
> On V5R1, ile/rpg running, I want it to talk to a PC Visual basic program
> running on the same PC as the 5250 emulation program is -
> will have three copies of rpg running, but only one pc will have the VB
> program on it,
>
> The VB program will be written by a company to control a switch to turn off
> a conveyer
> when my RPG program does not say it was a valid/good scan (bad customer
> number/order# ect.)
> or time out due to reading eye being out of alignment -
>
> my question is this ---
>
> What the heck am I trying to do (api/socket programming or play space
> invaders)
> and if so, where can I learn how to do this by the end of the week???
>
> I love putting my foot in my mouth before I look up how to do something -
>
> Thanks for the advice and help
>