Generating JSON from an RPG program is quite simple with IceBreak. Minimal to no learning curve.
Jim Cooper
Program Coordinator
Lambton College
jim.cooper@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
519-542-7751 ext. 3219
________________________________________
From: web400-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx [web400-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx] on behalf of Allen, Todd [Todd.Allen@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Friday, December 07, 2012 5:11 PM
To: Web Enabling the AS400 / iSeries
Subject: Re: [WEB400] Web Enabling Applications
The only potential hitch there is generating the JSON data in the HTTP response with RPG. I know there is JSON functionality that is readily available in most web development languages. I don't know if there is a good option for dealing with JSON data in RPG. Rolling your own JSON library in RPG is not something I'd relish doing.
Thanks,
Todd
-----Original Message-----
From: web400-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:web400-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Jim Cooper
Sent: Friday, December 07, 2012 5:05 PM
To: Web Enabling the AS400 / iSeries
Subject: Re: [WEB400] Web Enabling Applications
I think Todd is saying the same thing I was saying. If you generate your Web application with client-side technologies (HTML5, JavaScript, jQuery, etc), and make requests to a server-side program (RPG on IBM i) for JSON data, the application is much more portable since the user interface is not being generated by a server-side application. The function of the server-side program (RPG) is to provide the data in JSON. Much cleaner as well.
Jim Cooper
Program Coordinator
Lambton College
jim.cooper@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
519-542-7751 ext. 3219
________________________________________
From: web400-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx [web400-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx] on behalf of Allen, Todd [Todd.Allen@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Friday, December 07, 2012 4:40 PM
To: Web Enabling the AS400 / iSeries
Subject: Re: [WEB400] Web Enabling Applications
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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