31 October 2008 Xavier Group

EGLMy Transition

Jake Berberich

Principal, Xavier Group

Roanoke, VA

31 October 2008 Xavier Group

Background

• Started with S/32

• Construction, Medical, Retail, 3PL

• Independent Consultant last 4 years– Retail, Manufacturing, Government, Distribution

• Like 4GL Languages

• Been searching….

31 October 2008 Xavier Group

Evaluated

• Didn’t want the MS route

• Becoming a Java guy

• Generators for RPG/CGI

• PHP on the System i

31 October 2008 Xavier Group

Important from System i Perspective

• Access to legacy data

• Learning Curve

• Leverage existing skill sets

• Reuse tested tried and true code algorithms

• Platform Loyalty

31 October 2008 Xavier Group

Chose EGL

• Stars and Planets Aligned

• Client Needs a Web Solution

• Had to be Custom App

• Virtually Committed to Adopting EGL

31 October 2008 Xavier Group

What I avoided

• Needing to learn Java

• Other syntax intensive language

• HTML coding

• Migrating away from System i

31 October 2008 Xavier Group

Positioned to

• Leverage Existing Technology Investment

• Modernize Incrementally

• Pick Right Tool for Right Opportunity

• Mix Match Hybrid Technology

31 October 2008 Xavier Group

WIIFM

• Avoid a Dinosaurs' Fate

• Stay with the System i

• Deploy UI Experience 2nd to *NONE

31 October 2008 Xavier Group

Learning Curve for Legacy Guy

• Eclipse Workbench

• Binding Attributes to variables/functions

• Event Driven Run Time

• Result Sets vs. RPG Full Procedural Files

• Problem Determination –– Interpretation of WAS Server Console – Run time HTTP errors

31 October 2008 Xavier Group

Rich System i Tool Box

• Call your RPG and CLP routines

• QCMDEXC

• Data Area

• Logon authentication example

• Data Queue access have not used

• Technique for accessing file members

31 October 2008 Xavier Group

Development Attributes

• Content Assist (like F4)

• Annotate errors as you type

• Validate variable definition and ‘end’ tags

• Quick compile even for complex functions

• Compile/Run Cycle – Immediate Gratification

31 October 2008 Xavier Group

Built into the Tooling

• Paging Functions – (Antidotal Story)

• Category Groups

• Row Select Tool Bar or Combo Box

• In place edit of row content

31 October 2008 Xavier Group

Modus operandi

• Right time for the right tool

• Combined access of data SQL and RPG

• SQL function to populate sub-file arrays

• MVC

• RPG for record level access CRUD

• Perform heavy data edits or manipulation with RPG

31 October 2008 Xavier Group

What I Like

• Not that one couldn’t….

• Rich property attributes allow for run-time rendering

• Populating combo boxes from iSeries table values

• Radio buttons, check boxes, etc.

31 October 2008 Xavier Group

Rendering

31 October 2008 Xavier Group

Suggestions: Strategic

• Take the on-line class• Then supplement with self study• Audit classes when possible• Attend the periodic Best Practices Presentations• RSS feed the Café • RBD and JSF PowerPoint's update always have

new how-to(s)• Know your strengths • Co-opt … enabled colleague to do the UI

31 October 2008 Xavier Group

Suggestions: Tactical

• Use Tomcat for development

• Build Snippet Compendium

• Content Assist Softens Syntax Minutia

• Modify Page Designer Template where appropriate

• Carry Over Techniques – Incremental Testing of logic

31 October 2008 Xavier Group

Ever Increasing Resources

• EGL Café

• Examples for virtually every presentation view one would find in business

• More frequent articles by industry pundits

31 October 2008 Xavier Group

“What the users don’t know how to do, becomes what the product

can’t do.”Courtesy Jon Sayles, IBM EGL Presentation

31 October 2008 Xavier Group

Closing Thoughts

• Context of Business Application– Virtually any UI experience– For me, no gaps in EGL language capability

• EGL Choice… no second thoughts

31 October 2008 Xavier Group

Xavier GroupJake Berberich

Jake.Berberich@cox.net