Seiden Group Blog

Alan Seiden

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

/0 Comments/in /by

Seiden PHP+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:

Read more →

Alan Seiden

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

/0 Comments/in /by

Seiden PHP+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 smoothly. Whether you’re using PHP for new APIs or modernizing legacy web apps, Seiden PHP+ is designed to support you.

Thanks to all our clients and partners who’ve helped us improve this platform. We’re proud to continue developing tools and services that move IBM i forward.

Contact us to schedule a complimentary PHP upgrade assessment. I’d love to hear what you’re building.

Alan Seiden

Improve Your TN5250 Experience in VS Code for IBM i

/0 Comments/in /by

Update: New installations of Code for i include the +uninhibited option by default, as described here.

The open-source TN5250 emulator provides a handy way to launch IBM i 5250 sessions from within VS Code for IBM i.

The one drawback I’ve found in TN5250 is the Cursor in protected area of display error when I accidentally type on a protected area of the screen—an area where input isn’t allowed. The error must be cleared before I can continue to work.

Read more →

Alan Seiden

Scott Forstie’s Wish

/0 Comments/in /by

At a recent Code for i Fridays meeting, DB2 for i Business Architect Scott Forstie shared with the group:

“My wish is that every new database file is an SQL table.”

Scott was recommending that new tables always be built using SQL/DDL* rather than DDS. He had several good reasons, but to share the top two:

Read more →

Amy Lantz

Alan Seiden Hosts IT Leadership Summit at POWERUp 2025

/0 Comments/in /by

IT Leadership SummitJoin your IT executive peers and host Alan Seiden for the next IT Leadership Summit—an exclusive event focused on exploring ways to leverage your IBM i investment, improve user satisfaction, and achieve greater professional success.

Organized with COMMON User Group in conjunction with POWERUp 2025, the Summit will take place May 19, 2025 at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, CA. Few seats remain, so contact Manzoor at COMMON soon if you would like to attend!

Read more →

Alan Seiden

Release Levels for IBM i Services (SQL)

/0 Comments/in /by

IBM i ServicesIBM i Services are a growing, innovative use of SQL on the IBM i platform. These SQL-based functions and views provide convenient access to system functionality. For example, VS Code for i uses the LIBRARY_INFO table function.

Because these SQL-based services are added and enhanced over time, each service has an operating system release and Group PTF level at which it became available.

I had wished there was a list of minimum release levels for all the IBM i Services. As it happened, at our latest Code for IBM i Fridays meeting, Scott Forstie, the DB2 for i Business Architect, provided the resources that I’d been looking for.

Read more →

Amy Lantz

VS Code for IBM i: SELECT Statement [VIDEO]

/1 Comment/in , /by

In this episode of Getting Started with Code for i, Patrick Behr focuses on the power of the SELECT statement included in the Db2 for i extension.

SELECT lets you quickly generate CSV or JSON files, or update your Db2 for i data, directly from Code for i. Just watch how easy it is!

Read more →

Alan Seiden

Physical File GREP (PFGREP): Fast IBM i Source Code Search

/5 Comments/in /by

pfgrep: Fast search for IBM i PFsOur 2023 article on searching source physical file members using the QShell grep command showed grep’s potential. In practice, while we found QShell grep to be flexible, we also experienced slow performance and occasional errors.

Now, our own Calvin Buckley has built an improved grep command called pfgrep to search traditional IBM i source physical file members. Quick and reliable, pfgrep is also free and open source.

Read more →

Richard Schoen

New QSHONI Commands for SQL and IFS on IBM i

/0 Comments/in /by

QSHONI integration for IBM i RPG, CL and open sourceQShell on i utility (QSHONI) makes it easy for traditional CL, RPG, and COBOL programs to call Python utilities and other QShell/PASE utility programs (PHP, Node, Java, etc.) and directly use their output. Last month we updated you on three new QSHONI features: QSHPHPRUN, QSHCALL and QSHPYCALL.

This month we will cover several other new and updated QSHONI features added in the past 12 months. Use the following quick links to read about a specific command.

Read more →

Amy Lantz

VS Code for IBM i: Profiles [Video]

/0 Comments/in /by

Returning with a new episode in his Getting Started with Code for i video series, IBM Champion Patrick Behr now focuses on how to set up profiles.

Profiles let you define different library lists and filters based on what you’re working on. They give you one-click access between, for example, production and test environments, accounting and warehouse applications, or whatever you need to need to do next.

Read more →