Getting Started with VS Code for IBM i [Video Tutorial]

Code for IBM i is rapidly gain traction as an efficient, cost-effective alternative to RDi for RPGLE (fixed and free format), COBOL, CL, and Db2 for i development.

To help traditional IBM i developers explore this fast and flexible IDE, Patrick Behr offers this first tutorial in his Getting Started with VS Code for i video series. In it, he demonstrates how to install VS Code and its IBM i Development pack, connect to an IBM i server, set and manage library lists, filter your object browser, and change and compile RPG source.

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Where to Find Release Notes for ACS Updates

IBM i Access Client Solutions (ACS) is a critical tool for essential features such as 5250 emulation, SQL, Db2 performance, and open source package management. Every update is packed with functionality improvements, bug fixes, and security updates.

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C​reating a Debug Log with the PHP Toolkit for IBM i

PHP on IBM iOne of my favorite features of the PHP Toolkit for IBM i is its ability to generate a detailed debug log. The log includes connection information, program call options, parameters in and out, and performance timing. When we receive questions about the toolkit as part of our SmartSupport, a debug log helps resolve the question quickly.

Why use the PHP Toolkit? It can call commands, RPG, COBOL, and CL programs, flexibly and fast. The debug log can make troubleshooting easier than with other methods that don’t have a log, such as stored procedures.

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PHP 8.4 Is Here

PHP on IBM iPHP 8.4 represents another step in PHP’s evolution, once again improving performance and adding features to help developers write more concise, high quality code.

PHP 8.4 is now available for IBM i from Seiden Group.

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Integrating Open Source on IBM i: Advanced Topics and Optimization

Pairing open source with traditional IBM i programs works great for APIs, web, and mobile applications. But how do you stay on top of your business’s requirements for speed and scalability?

OCEAN User Group recently asked Alan to help answer that question. In the recording of their November meeting (also linked from the graphic below), he covers:

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VS Code for IBM i: SEP Debugging Prerequisites

Code for IBM iCode for i users have been showing great interest in Service Entry Point (SEP) debugging. SEP permits debugging of applications that run in a different job than the programmer’s job, such as a web server or prestart job.

Available with Version 2 of the IBM Debug Service, SEP requires several prerequisites, including the IBM i Debug extension, PTFs, and Licensed Program Products (LPPs). This article focuses on the PTFs and LPPs, objects that are frequently overlooked.

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What’s in Your ODBC Driver? A 2024 Update

ODBC with Db2 for IBM iSince IBM announced Yum support for installing the IBM i Db2 ODBC driver, as documented in our 2022 tutorial, users can update their driver more easily.

To help users determine what’s changed, IBM maintains a list of fixes and enhancements for each IBM i ODBC driver release.

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Update Corrects an Issue Loading libpq.so

PostgreSQLIBM has delivered a fix for an issue with the libpq (PostgreSQL) package. The libpq RPM installer script had a subtle issue where the symbolic links did not get created correctly. IBM i users saw warnings like these:

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Use Those IBM i Service Vouchers — Program Ends In 2025

One of the best deals in IBM i services is about to end. Effective January 1, 2025, the “IBM i Service Voucher for Power” program is being withdrawn. The program has long provided Power hardware customers with vouchers for Expert Labs consulting. (Expert Labs was formerly known as Lab Services.)

Many companies are not even aware that they are entitled to vouchers.

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PHP: The “RPG” of Open Source for IBM i

Reliable. Versatile. Fast. The terms we use to describe modern RPG applications apply to PHP as well. That’s why PHP remains a top choice to supplement RPG for IBM i projects involving the web, APIs, and high-volume transactions.

One sterling example is Curbstone’s PCI-validated payment solution, which uses PHP-based portals to process over 8 billion dollars in credit card payments annually with 99.99% uptime availability.

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