March 2005

• Test Your Programming Prowess: 101 Essential ILE RPG Skills - Are you an RPG Newbie, a Pro, or a Guru? Measure how well you're keeping up with recent, more advanced ILE RPG programming skills that can help you write better-structured, more flexible, and more reliable programs.
• Conditional Compilation in RPG - Conditional compilation uses directives and compiler options to instruct the compiler to include or exclude optional sections of source. The process is controlled by condition-names and conditional compilation directives.
• Industry Observer - These resources explore utility computing, XML technical and standards issues, the EU's data retention proposal, and attractions along the Mississippi River that have geek appeal.
• FAQs: iSeries Access Family -
• Dr. I. Doctor - Dr. I. Doctor solves a problem with outgoing mail for roving users, and explains how to efficiently broadcast audio and video content on your LAN.
• Tech Corner - Creating a Case-Insensitive Index with SQL • Sequencing Records by a Column in a Secondary Join File Limiting ODBC Query Resource Usage • The Good, The Bad, The Ugly: Floating Negative Sign
• High Availability Tailored for SMBs - High Availability (HA) solutions are often too expensive for many small-to-medium businesses. However, products such as Lakeview Technology, Inc.'s MIMIX ha Lite can provide an alternative.
• McCarthy Banks on Check Security Applications - McCarthy Construction, a nationwide building construction firm, saved money, simplified procedures, and eliminated fraud by using inFORM Decisions' check-generation and printing applications.
• Compiling Programs in WDSc - Once you go through the steps involved in compiling source code in WDSc, you'll see that you can be just as productive as you are when using PDM/SEU. This article walks you through the process and provides some compiling tips to boot!
• iSeries Navigator: A System Management Buffet - iSeries Navigator serves up a rich buffet of functions that let you monitor systems, set up and manage security, control user access, manage and distribute fixes, manage users across systems, package and distribute files and folders, and more.
• f.y.iSeries -
• Tracking Down Performance Problems - Kampgrounds of America, Inc., had system performance problems that prompted a hardware upgrade. When that didn't fully resolve the situation, IS turned to MB Software & Consulting, Inc.'s Workload Performance Series.
• IBM Announcements -
• Better Portability: Intro to Java Development Tools - Step 4 of the road map is better portability. This includes porting existing applications to Java, writing new applications in Java, and using the WDSc Java Development Tools to make your Java development easier.
• Zen and the Art of Extreme Programming - A development methodology based on agile programming tenets, Extreme Programming espouses four values: communication, simplicity, feedback, and courage. Its flexibility and customer involvement may be just what your shop needs.
• Feedback -
• iSeries RPG Source Code Tools - There are more ways to work with RPG source code than just SEU. This product roundup highlights third-party alternatives for creating, analyzing, and documenting iSeries RPG source code, as well as converting RPG to other languages. See if one is right for you.
• EC-Enabling Software: Build or Buy - The decision to buy or build EC software is confusing. There are plenty of EC software products, plenty of tools that let you build your own such apps, and plenty of ways to combine these two options.
• Hot New Products -
• What's an iSeries Professional To Do? - Whether you're looking out for yourself or your company, it's time to be objective about your career and your iSeries and rationally discern a course for the future.
• RPG Data Structure Enhancements in V5R1, V5R2, and V5R3 - IBM's Barbara Morris gives plenty of explanation and examples as she describes thses ILE RPG data structure enhancements. Follow along to gain some practical knowledge that will help you streamline and optimize your code.
• What's New with V5R3 iSeries Access Family? - This version is loaded with new and enhanced features to help you get more from your fat and thin clients as well as your browser clients. If also provides a native Linux offering and options for your wireless solutions.
• Lighten Up, Be a DWASOH! - Technology is a serious business. But often technologists can take themselves too seriously. Adding a little humor to your day and wearing a smile can pay off.
• RPG IV Style, Standards, and Best Practices - As fast as RPG is changing, its best practices and style guidelines are proving to be moving targets. Check out some updated suggestions for how to write RPG IV programs that are easy to read, understand, and maintain.
• IBM Announces Block-and-Scan Solutions - The rise in viruses, spyware, and other "malware" leads IBM to consider a radical new approach to protecting corporate networks.
• WDSc and Java Web Services - Walk through the motions of creating a Java Web service in WebSphere Development Studio Client. Once you have a finished product up and running, you can pick it apart to see how you got there.
• Microsoft Takes the Initiative on iSeries Turf - Microsoft's newly announced Midrange Alliance program takes aim squarely at IBM's iSeries franchise. Its purpose is to help iSeries customers leverage Microsoft's .NET technology.
• Finding Holes in your SOX - All too often, security is taken for granted on the iSeries. Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) and other new laws are forcing a re-examination of security assumptions and providing a catalyst for new products that can increase protection.
• The Good, The Bad, The Ugly -