With IBM’s delivery of open source capabilities on IBM i, Seiden Group has been there to apply the technology to application modernization initiatives. Starting with PHP and the PHP toolkit, then Python, and now Node.js and Ruby, we’ve worked with IBM and customers to flesh out the capabilities of the technology, teach best practices at conferences and directly with clients, and develop award-winning solutions.
Presentation HandoutThe ever-expanding capabilities of Db2 for i can simplify development in open source languages such as PHP, Ruby, Node.js (JavaScript), and Python. These languages, known for their effectiveness in building web and mobile applications, can tap into the power of SQL.
So why complicate them with repetitive code that distracts from their power and simplicity?
I’ve been eagerly watching Liam Allan’s open source ILEditor mature into a very convenient tool that I can turn to whenever I have a quick development task to perform and I don’t have an active RDi session open. So I was thrilled to learn about his plans for the next major release!
The beauty of ILEditor is that it starts up quickly, performs quickly, and lets me return to whatever else I was doing. For example, I recently used it to copy and send some CL code to a client while I was on vacation. So fast!
While adding a new script to our Python for IBM i Examples GitHub Repository, I noticed that my pull request had evolved into a near-perfect example of how tools like GitHub improve upon ordinary Git.
We’ve seen a surge of interest in Git version control on IBM i, so a recent video about Git caught my eye.
The Git trend makes perfect sense as IBM i teams adopt languages such as PHP, Javascript, and Python to develop web user interfaces, APIs, and other functionality. That said, Git also supports the traditional IBM i language, RPG.
One of my favorite jobs here at Seiden Group is to introduce developers to the Git version control system. I’ve delivered talks, workshops, and individual Git training.
Fast, popular, and open source, Git can be hosted on varied platforms, such as cloud-based repositories (Github, Bitbucket), internal servers (GitLab), and on our trusty IBM i servers.
Here at Seiden Group, we seek ways to make IBM i systems more congenial for developers accustomed to other platforms, such as Linux.
Developers coming from a non-IBM i background know how to run the apachectl command to start, restart, and end an Apache web server instance. Instead of apachectl, however, IBM i provides a web-based graphical interface and the commands STRTCPSVR and ENDTCPSVR (be sure to prompt those for parameters using F4).
To supply the “missing” apachectl command for IBM i, I have written a BASH shell script that simulates apachectl on IBM i.
Open-source tools aren’t just for Linux anymore. Popular tools such as rsync, cURL, Git, and Wget have come to IBM i.
Although such open-source tools have been available for years in AIX distributions by Michael Perzl, those RPM packages required extra know-how, and weren’t officially supported by IBM.
Every year I look forward to WMPCA’s Spring Technical Conference. And it’s not just because this active IBM i user group does a great job of bringing experts to beautiful Wisconsin (in March!) to teach a broad range of IBM i topics.
I also love meeting the next generation of IBM i talent, always represented by Jim Buck’s RPG students at Gateway Technical College.
And, of course, there are many PHP and open source sessions to choose from, including these from me:
Also check out these sessions from our good friend Mike Pavlak:
I could go on and on with recommendations, but I’m sure you’ll find plenty to love on your own.
Join us at the WMCPA Spring Technical Conference on March 14-16, 2017, at the Lake Lawn Resort on the shores of Delavan Lake!
Update: a recording of this class is available at http://iprodeveloper.com/let-your-php-apps-fly-ibm-i-high-performance-php-demand
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This Tuesday, learn how to Let Your PHP applications fly on IBM i. Busy? You can attend while getting your work done, with three one-hour class segments separated by breaks.
“Our process now runs 30-50% faster, thanks to one tip from Alan’s presentation.”
—Mike Meszaros, Software Developer, Specialty Pipe & Tube
You’ll learn to quickly improve your application’s performance, including:
I’ll be there to answer your questions. What’s more, the presentation will be archived for 60 days so you can review the material afterward.
“Alan is the performance guru of PHP on IBM i. When we encountered unexpectedly slow queries and program calls, Alan showed us a configuration change that helped our application run 3x faster, creating happy users. Thanks, Alan!”
—Adam Chuk Shirley, PHP Developer, Sabel Steel Service
What: PHP on IBM i performance eLearning event
When: Tuesday, December 10, 2013: three one-hour segments with two one-hour breaks, starting 11AM and ending 4PM (ET).
Where: Online
Cost: $150 (but discounted to $99 through Friday, Dec. 6)
Details and registration: http://iprodeveloper.com/let-your-php-apps-fly-ibm-i-high-performance-php
