EGL My Transition

31 October 2008 Xavier Group

EGLMy Transition

Jake Berberich

Principal, Xavier Group

Roanoke, VA


Background

• Started with S/32

• Construction, Medical, Retail, 3PL

• Independent Consultant last 4 years– Retail, Manufacturing, Government, Distribution

• Like 4GL Languages

• Been searching….


Evaluated

• Didn’t want the MS route

• Becoming a Java guy

• Generators for RPG/CGI

• PHP on the System i


Important from System i Perspective

• Access to legacy data

• Learning Curve

• Leverage existing skill sets

• Reuse tested tried and true code algorithms

• Platform Loyalty


Chose EGL

• Stars and Planets Aligned

• Client Needs a Web Solution

• Had to be Custom App

• Virtually Committed to Adopting EGL


What I avoided

• Needing to learn Java

• Other syntax intensive language

• HTML coding

• Migrating away from System i


Positioned to

• Leverage Existing Technology Investment

• Modernize Incrementally

• Pick Right Tool for Right Opportunity

• Mix Match Hybrid Technology


WIIFM

• Avoid a Dinosaurs' Fate

• Stay with the System i

• Deploy UI Experience 2nd to *NONE


Learning Curve for Legacy Guy

• Eclipse Workbench

• Binding Attributes to variables/functions

• Event Driven Run Time

• Result Sets vs. RPG Full Procedural Files

• Problem Determination –– Interpretation of WAS Server Console – Run time HTTP errors


Rich System i Tool Box

• Call your RPG and CLP routines

• QCMDEXC

• Data Area

• Logon authentication example

• Data Queue access have not used

• Technique for accessing file members


Development Attributes

• Content Assist (like F4)

• Annotate errors as you type

• Validate variable definition and ‘end’ tags

• Quick compile even for complex functions

• Compile/Run Cycle – Immediate Gratification


Built into the Tooling

• Paging Functions – (Antidotal Story)

• Category Groups

• Row Select Tool Bar or Combo Box

• In place edit of row content


Modus operandi

• Right time for the right tool

• Combined access of data SQL and RPG

• SQL function to populate sub-file arrays

• MVC

• RPG for record level access CRUD

• Perform heavy data edits or manipulation with RPG


What I Like

• Not that one couldn’t….

• Rich property attributes allow for run-time rendering

• Populating combo boxes from iSeries table values

• Radio buttons, check boxes, etc.


Rendering


Suggestions: Strategic

• Take the on-line class• Then supplement with self study• Audit classes when possible• Attend the periodic Best Practices Presentations• RSS feed the Café • RBD and JSF PowerPoint's update always have

new how-to(s)• Know your strengths • Co-opt … enabled colleague to do the UI


Suggestions: Tactical

• Use Tomcat for development

• Build Snippet Compendium

• Content Assist Softens Syntax Minutia

• Modify Page Designer Template where appropriate

• Carry Over Techniques – Incremental Testing of logic


Ever Increasing Resources

• EGL Café

• Examples for virtually every presentation view one would find in business

• More frequent articles by industry pundits


“What the users don’t know how to do, becomes what the product

can’t do.”Courtesy Jon Sayles, IBM EGL Presentation


Closing Thoughts

• Context of Business Application– Virtually any UI experience– For me, no gaps in EGL language capability

• EGL Choice… no second thoughts


Xavier GroupJake Berberich

[email protected]

EGL My Transition

Documents

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