Re: Why does node's Toolkit for i, use a database connection

Nathan and Paul,

... he may assumed that node.js was running in the "native" virtual
machine environment and could simply "call" ILE programs directly,
rather than "using a connection"

I knew Toolkit for i used XMLSERVICE under the covers. So I didn't expect node apps to be able to call CL, RPG or COBOL programs like these latter three types of programs call each other. What I didn't understand was why the node app appears to make a *database* connection in order to execute a CL command.

I've used JTOpen (Toolbox for Java) a couple of times, and it establishes a connection to the system based on the system name, like this:

import com.ibm.as400.access.*;
AS400 system = new AS400(mySystemName, myUserName, myPassword);

Once you establish the connection, you can immediately execute a CL command like this:

CommandCall command = new CommandCall(system);
command.setCommand("DSPSYSSTS");

Maybe JTOpen is actually establishing a database connection, but that isn't apparent from the code. I was just kind of surprised that node appears to establish a database connection to execute a CL command. It made me realize I probably need to learn more about the underlying technology stack.

I've gotten a lot of replies with good leads. I need some time to digest the replies and read the suggested links.

Thanks,
Kelly