Re: Web Enabling Applications

Todd

Yes, 2 things, exactly. Now CGIDEV2 is aimed, I think, at RPG developers who want to get web apps out fairly quickly, while using skills they already have. This seems a good reason for it. Maybe not for the direction of development you describe.

Maybe when considering an approach for new development, one should look long and hard. When there is an existing RPG/CGI app, however, CGIDEV2 might be the easier path. It takes a little work to externalize the HTML. But once done, it should be pretty easy to give design to someone more lettered in it, then use it like a DSPF.

To do an entire rewrite in another language such as PHP or Java just isn't in the cards.

Regards
Vern

On 12/7/2012 3:40 PM, Allen, Todd wrote:

We're talking about 2 different things - jQuery is a client-side Javascript library while CGIDEV2 is a server-side application. Javascript libraries can be used with any server application, obviously. You also lose all portability that way in that only an IBM i system can run your server-side app. Using PHP allows the flexibility to put your web server on most any platform. (The back end stays on the IBM i.) That may not be a concern now but it may be in the future.

Can you create web applications with CGIDEV2? Sure, but I would think long and hard before going down that road.

Thanks,
Todd


-----Original Message-----
From: web400-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:web400-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Vernon Hamberg
Sent: Friday, December 07, 2012 3:06 PM
To: Web Enabling the AS400 / iSeries
Subject: Re: [WEB400] Web Enabling Applications

Allen

there's no reason you can't use things like jquery when using CGIDEV2 - the latter is just a way to externalize HTML, similar to how it is done with DSPFs.

I'm converting to use CGIDEV2 in one of our products. I see it as very similar in concept to tags as used in PHP or Java.

Again, doesn't JQUery have plugins for JSON?

Just as I said to someone who said about this facelifted interface - I didn't know you could do that on the iSeries. I said, HTML is just text
- you can do anything!

Same with CGIDEV2 - it's just a streamlined way to put out the text that comprises HTML.

Just the humble opinion of a newbie to CGIDEV2 and lovin' it!

Regards
Vern

On 12/7/2012 1:06 PM, Allen, Todd wrote:

I may be in the minority here but I'd shy away from using CGIDEV2 for any sort of web development. I say minority on this list only. The percentage of all web developers that have used or heard of CGIDEV2 is probably less than .001%. We've found that RPG developers are hard to find. RPG developers that have web experience are even harder to find. If JSON is a requirement then I'd also be concerned about processing JSON data with RPG. There are plenty of libraries out there for JSON processing but I don't know if you'll find one for RPG.

You could stand up a Linux server running an Apache web server with PHP and connect to your SQL stored procedures on the i fairly easily. There are JSON functions built in to the PHP language. You did not mention Java so I assume that is not an option.

A big consideration for you is the expertise in your organization. That may help drive your decision. If you have access to a lot of RPG developers then CGIDEV2 may be worth a look but keep an eye on the future. That's my biggest hesitation with CGIDEV2.

Thanks,
Todd


-----Original Message-----
From: web400-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:web400-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of Michael Ryan
Sent: Friday, December 07, 2012 11:55 AM
To: Web Enabling the AS400 / iSeries
Subject: [WEB400] Web Enabling Applications

Ok...wide ranging topic I'm sure, but it's Friday. Here's what I'm
looking for...opinions, solutions, ideas regarding web enabling
(browser access) to i applications. A couple of points: The logic on
the i will be written
(re-written) to be accessed by a procedure call. I'm pretty sure I want the returned data to be in JSON format. I'm obviously concerned about security and session state. This application would be for in-house users, not the public.

I'm thinking three main middleware paths - PHP, CGI, and vendor proprietary...others?

Some products/frameworks that I know of are easy CGIDEV2, Renaissance, Zend, powerEXT..others?

Feel free to contact me off list if desired. I look forward to the comments.

Thanks!

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