Author Archive for: Alan Seiden

Entries by Alan Seiden

Seiden PHP+ Delivers PHP 8.5 to IBM i

/in /by

Each year brings a new PHP release. We’ve prepared Seiden PHP+ so that IBM i users can adopt PHP 8.5 shortly after it becomes generally available (GA) around November 20, 2025. As I mentioned in Keep Your PHP Secure: Why Regular Updates Matter, PHP users should adopt a regular upgrade schedule to make upgrades easier. November 20, 2025 UPDATE PHP 8.5 and Seiden PHP+ 8.5 are both available as of today. Notable Enhancements in PHP 8.5 Two updates stand out to me:

Keep Your PHP Secure: Why Regular Updates Matter

/in /by

Cybersecurity best practices require regular security assessments, including for PHP. We recommend installing PHP patch releases at least quarterly. You can review all regular PHP updates, including CVE security fixes, on the php.net changelog page. Our Seiden PHP+ changelog provides additional updates that we include in our supported Seiden PHP+ package.

What the Shai-Hulud npm Worm Means for Node.js Developers

/in , /by

The Node.js ecosystem has been disrupted by self-replicating malware called Shai-Hulud. In September 2025, researchers found that Shai-Hulud had infected more than 500 npm packages, including some from trusted maintainers. The worm did not just publish a few bad versions. It spread automatically, using stolen credentials to infect other packages owned by the same developer.

Ransomware Lessons from Brussels Airport and IBM i

/in /by

At Brussels Airport recently, I noticed airline staff working from paper passenger lists because their digital systems were unavailable. The EU Cybersecurity Agency (ENISA) later confirmed the disruption was caused by a ransomware attack on a third-party airline system (Reuters report).

Mapepire Q&A

/in /by

A friend in the IBM i vendor community asked me about Mapepire popularity and security. He had read about Seiden Group’s support for the Mapepire Db2 for i driver. I have provided his questions and edited versions of my answers below.

Seiden Group Now Supports Mapepire for Node.js and Db2 for IBM i Connectivity

/in /by

Seiden Group is pleased to announce that we now provide production support for the open source Mapepire database connector for IBM i. This includes support for Node.js applications and cloud-based or containerized workloads that connect to Db2 for i. Many developers already rely on Mapepire every day because it’s the back-end to the Db2 for i extension for VS Code. We’re excited to help clients adopt this lightweight connector.

Easy Job Scheduling and Queuing with Seiden PHP+ on IBM i

/in /by

Using a job queue or scheduler to run PHP scripts helps ensure that PHP-based processes are run successfully and on time. To make it easy for Seiden PHP+ users to schedule jobs, we provide job scheduler or queue functionality and support with our Seiden PHP+ SmartSupport. Benefits include the ability to:

Seiden PHP+: Built for IBM i. Backed by Experts.

/in /by

I’m pleased to share that over the past year, we’ve rebranded our PHP distribution as Seiden PHP+. When we first created CommunityPlus+ PHP, it was meant to fill a gap—providing a stable, supported PHP environment for IBM i after Zend Server Basic was discontinued. The new name, Seiden PHP+, better reflects our team’s role in offering and supporting this full-featured, enterprise-grade PHP stack that businesses rely on for speed, stability, and security. For those who want hands-on help, our Install & Learn service is a great way to get started, and our SmartSupport program keeps your system secure and running…