Re: Why does node's Toolkit for i, use a database connection to execute CL commands?

Why does it look like Toolkit for i is establishing a database connection

in order to execute a CL command?

The iToolKit for Node.js can interact with IBM i either through a generic
DB2 stored procedure or via HTTP web service call, though the web service
is merely a facade to get to the same code.

Also, if I wanted to call an RPG or COBOL program using Toolkit for i,

would this also require a database connection?

Yes. You can learn more about the code base here:
https://bitbucket.org/rangercairns/xmlservice-rpg2

You can learn more about the high-level concepts here:
http://yips.idevcloud.com/wiki/index.php/XMLService/XMLService

Would the RPG or COBOL programs have to be stored procedures?

They (RPG and COBOL *PGM) are inherently stored procedures. Or more
specifically, EXTERNAL procedures. The important thing to note is you do
NOT need to change an existing RPG program for XMLSERVICE to call it. It
can call it as-is.


Aaron Bartell
litmis.com - Services for open source on IBM i


On Thu, Oct 8, 2015 at 4:42 PM, Kelly Cookson <KCookson@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

I developed the node sample app found in the following document from IBM
developerWorks:

https://www.ibm.com/developerworks/ibmi/library/i-native-js-app-ibmi-with-nodejs/

The sample app executes a CL command using node's Toolkit for i. Toolkit
for i is a collection of APIs for interfacing with XMLSERVICE.

Why does it look like Toolkit for i is establishing a database connection
in order to execute a CL command? Here is the relevant code:

var conn = new xt.iConn(DBname);
conn.add(xt.iSh("system -i " + cl));
conn.run(cb);

The variable "cl" contains the CL command. It looks like the CL command is
being executed through a database connection. Why would a database
connection be needed if Toolkit for i interfaces with XMLSERVICE to execute
the CL command?

Also, if I wanted to call an RPG or COBOL program using Toolkit for i,
would this also require a database connection? Would the RPG or COBOL
programs have to be stored procedures?

Thanks,

Kelly Cookson
IT Project Leader
Dot Foods, Inc.
1.217.773.4486 ext. 12676
kcookson@xxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:kcookson@xxxxxxxxxxxx>

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