iWeb Uses CGI and Java for OS/400 WebFacing

Published: October 17, 2006

by Alex Woodie

An Italian software company called Galgano Informatica recently introduced a new iSeries Web-enablement product to the North American market. Galgano says its CGI-based product, called iWeb, converts 5250 applications into Java programs that can be displayed in a browser, and helps RPG programmers become Webmasters along the way.

iWeb is composed of three pieces, including a conversion tool, a run-time environment, and the super special bonus "iFeatures" that are the icing on the cake of iWeb. Together, these three pieces enable iSeries shops to replace the green-screen interfaces of RPG applications with new graphical user interfaces (GUIs), and customize the resulting application. RPG applications that have been Webfaced using iWeb can continue to serve 5250 green screens, in addition to Web interfaces, which is one of the unique aspects of the product.

During the conversion process, the iWeb converter tool scans RPG III or RPG IV applications, looking only for programs that reference display files. Users must have access to the source code; however, the source code itself is not modified, Galgano says.

After entering a few parameters, the user submits the conversion to the iSeries as a batch job, and the newly converted programs are compiled and stored in a separate library. Users can choose to perform mass conversions an entire object library, or take a more targeted approach and convert individual modules, display files, menus, and panel groups.

At runtime, the converted application can be accessed from a Web browser or from a 5250 screen, depending on which route users take to the application. When users access the converted application from a Web browser, they do so using a Java applet that functions as a Common Gateway Interface (CGI) between the browser and the iSeries Web server. iWeb supports both the classic HTTP Server (for pre-V5R3 environments) and the one that's based on Apache, and uses a minimum of CPWs, the company claims.

While there are a number of Web-enabling tools on the market that use CGI and allow users to eliminate reliance on batch CPW, iWeb's reliance on Java makes it different, Galgano says. Because it generates true Java objects that can have properties and methods, it affords the developer a higher degree of control, and the end-user a more satisfying experience, than other refacing tools, the company says.

For example, iWeb's use of Java enables users to re-sequence subfile-table columns, or to add a scroll-bar to a table generated from sub-file data. "Similar operations cannot even be thought of with other refacing tools," the company claims.

Other features that Galgano says sets iWeb apart include: the capability to copy and paste a subfile into an Excel spreadsheet; the capability to generate selection lists from DDS "values" keywords; and spool file conversion to PDF.

Galgano includes several other utilities with its iWeb suite, including iExplore, which enables users to access PC graphics or documents stored on the iSeries Integrated File System (IFS); iExcel, which displays DB2/400 files in Excel format; iGraph, for creating and displaying graphics, such as line graphs; and iWebMaster, a special "command language" that allows programmers to customize their iWeb applications.

iWebMaster lets programmers manipulate their new applications by using 40 "object types," including objects for controlling fonts and colors, background colors and images, hyperlinks to IFS file or other Web sites, push-buttons, panels, lists and check boxes, and even calendars.

Pascal Polverini, Galgano's iWeb project manager, was at the recent Fall COMMON Conference in Miami Beach to spread the word about iWeb.

While iWeb is new in the North American market, having been introduced here just eight months ago, the product has garnered a sizable following in the active Italian and European markets, where iWeb has been installed 500 times by 100 customers since it was launched a year and a half ago.

In addition to Miami Beach, Polverini and other Galgano representatives visited several major U.S. cities, including Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Chicago, during their stay. The company is currently looking for business partners in the U.S. to sell and support iWeb.

iWeb supports both English and Italian. In fact, Galgano has posted the entire iWeb user guide in English on its Web site. The product supports OS/400 V4R5 and higher, and requires users have their RPG source and a compiler, as well as knowledge of RPG and HTTP.

iWeb pricing was not disclosed. For more information and free trial downloads of the product, visit www.iseries-iweb.com.