Open-Source Tools (rsync, cURL, Git and more) on IBM i
UPDATE
The 5733-OPS package discussed in this post is obsolete, replaced by RPM-based open source packages. Updated instructions are provided at
How to Set Up the IBM i Open Source Environment
Resources for Upgrading to PHP 7 on IBM i
Editor’s Note: The information in this article is useful for historical context but is now out of date. We currently recommend Seiden PHP+ as the most reliable PHP distribution for IBM i.
Now that speedy PHP 7 is available for IBM i, we’ve been helping clients upgrade to this long-awaited release. Here are some resources for performing this popular upgrade.
Where to find DB2 for IBM i documentation
It’s not always easy to locate the official documentation for all features of DB2 for IBM i. Using Google Search is hit or miss, with full-text searches often bringing irrelevant results from other varieties of DB2 or from older versions. Many people don’t know that complete reference manuals are available for almost every aspect of DB2 on i.
#OceanTech17: Three Days of Inspiration in July
July 20-22, 2017, Costa Mesa, CA
I always look forward to participating in the OCEAN Tech conference. It’s an impressive example of a local user group bringing affordable education to its members.
Use an IBM i Service to Find Your Technology Refresh (TR) Level
With another new IBM i Technology Refresh upon us, here’s a quick reminder how to find your server’s current TR level.
It’s getting easier and easier to do. An IBM i Service using DB2 and SQL provides the TR level more cleanly than older approaches. I love that we can use the universal SQL to expose the innards of our beloved system!
RPG & DB2 Summit: March 21-23, 2017, in Orlando
In just two weeks I’ll have the pleasure of joining some of the top IBM i development experts in Orlando for the RPG & DB2 Summit. Run by Susan Gantner, Jon Paris and Paul Tuohy, this conference is full of big personalities who create a warm, friendly environment that’s perfect for learning.
I enjoy the community feeling and how excited everyone is to solve development problems and share tips and techniques.
The RPG & DB2 Summit is one of the few training events that focuses exclusively on topics of interest to IBM i developers. That includes PHP and SQL, of course!
Check out the session grid and pay special attention to the Hands-on PHP Workshop on Monday, March 20, followed by several PHP and open source sessions given by yours truly and Zend’s Mike Pavlak, plus a whole array of SQL sessions. And maybe a few on RPG.
I think they should change the name of the conference to the RPG, PHP, SQL & DB2 Summit, don’t you?
Come join us!
WMCPA 2017: A Glimpse into the Future of IBM i
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:
- Make Your IBM i Sizzle with WordPress
- Apache Web Server Magic on IBM i
- Using DB2 and SQL with Open Source Languages on IBM i
- PHP Tricks for the RPG Programmer: Graphics, Excel, PDFs, E-Mail and More
Also check out these sessions from our good friend Mike Pavlak:
- PHP Web Security in an Insecure World
- Web Services with PHP on IBM i
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!
WMCPA IBM i conference: March 15-17, 2016
Join me and 27 other speakers at the Wisconsin Midrange Computer Professional Association (WMCPA) spring technical conference, March 15-17, 2016, at the Lake Lawn Resort on the shores of Delavan Lake.
Featured speakers: Alison Butterill, Tim Rowe. Speakers: Robert Andrews, Jim Bainbridge, Aaron Bartell, Stacy Benfield, Larry Bolhuis, David Brault, Chris Bremer, Jim Buck, Tom Cremieux, Gus Delgado, Richard Dolewski, Von Enselman, Byron Franz, Charles Guarino, Scott Klement, Richard Milone, Floyd Del Muro, Greg Patterson, Mike Pavlak, Trevor Perry, Jim Ritchhart, Richard Schoen, Alan Seiden, Grant Smith, Matt Staddler, Paul Tuohy
ZendCon 2015 starts October 19
This year’s ZendCon has a new location—Las Vegas—and more IBM i speakers than ever, including:
- Tony Cairns (IBM)
- Massimiliano Cavicchioli (Zend)
- Jim Oberholtzer (Agile Technology Architects)
- Mike Pavlak (Zend)
- Stephanie Rabbani (BCD)
- Chuk Shirley (Sabel Steel)
- Shlomo Vanunu (Zend)
- and myself, Alan Seiden (Alan Seiden Consulting)
Tutorial day, Oct. 19, is recommended at this premier PHP conference. I’ll present “Db2 and PHP in Depth,” a three-hour tutorial of techniques for using IBM i’s native database, which can help make PHP applications more secure, easier to write, and faster. I’ll also present new features of Db2 and PHP’s Db2 interface that were inspired largely by comments and requests of past ZendCon attendees. Special guest Tony Cairns from IBM is expected, too, for a lively discussion about practical PHP development on IBM i. Bring your questions.
Later in the week I’ll present “Create a welcoming development environment on IBM i,” based on my experience leading PHP projects for IBM i, and “Strategic Modernization with PHP,” which shows the possibilities on the IBM i platform and the strengths of various approaches. Expect to hear valuable advice from your colleagues, too.
I’m looking forward to attending talks, talking to sponsors, chatting with many of my blog and newsletter readers, meeting clients, and getting to know Rogue Wave, the company that recently acquired Zend.
Information about ZendCon: http://zendcon.com
iTalk with Tuohy interview
I recently joined speaker and consultant Paul Touhy for a spontaneous, personal ‘iTalk with Tuohy’ recorded chat, described thus: “Paul Tuohy talks to development guru Alan Seiden about developing in PHP, the PHP for IBM i Toolkit, performance for developers and getting your work-work balance right.”
2022 UPDATE: This free recording is no longer available.