JavaScript and the SHELL Command
by Shannon O'Donnell

If you're an RPG programmer and you're just now getting into writing HTML, chances are you've discovered a lack of functionality that you used to have in RPG--specifically, the ability to execute commands or call other programs from HTML. Because HTML runs in a browser, and because of the inherent, built-in security of browsers, it's difficult to call other programs from within HTML code. But sometimes you need to. What's the solution? Java Script and SHELL! READ MORE >

Data Queue Basics
by Kevin Vandever

Everyone has used Elmer's glue, right? You remember the commercial, don't you? It boasted 101 uses for the gooey white stuff. Well, I use a tool that just may be the Elmer's glue of iSeries programming. It can't mend your broken glasses or hold a meeting together, but it does allow you to pass data to and from programs, trigger events, and create flexible subfile applications. That tool is the data queue. READ MORE >

Simplify Java Web App Deployment with WAR Files
by Richard Shaler

If you've read much at all about Java, it's likely you've seen at least one of these terms: JAR files, WAR files, or EAR files. JAR stands for Java ARchive, WAR stands for Web ARchive, and EAR stands for Enterprise ARchive. In this article, I'll review all three archive types but focus mostly on WAR files. I'll describe how WAR files simplify Java Web application deployment, and show you how to use them to deploy an application to Tomcat for iSeries. READ MORE >

The Art of Globbing
by Ted Holt

If you do any Qshell scripting at all, you will eventually have to learn about "globbing," Qshell's ability to expand expressions containing wildcard characters into lists of file names. Before Qshell interprets a command or passes arguments to a utility, it examines the command string for special characters and replaces expressions with lists of file names. Globbing is good, in that it gives you an easy way to work with groups of files while writing only a little bit of code. READ MORE >

Keyed Data Queues: The Key to Flexible Subfiles
by Kevin Vandever

Why don't we talk about one of my favorite uses for data queues? Subfiles. What makes this technique so cool, in my opinion, is that data queues were probably never intended to be used in this manner. But don't worry! No data queues were hurt while using my technique. In fact, it is the data queue that makes my subfile programs more flexible than ever before. READ MORE >

Work with Active Jobs from Operations Navigator
by Shannon O'Donnell

One of the most frequently used green-screen panels on the iSeries is Work with Active Jobs (WRKACTJOB). From that screen you can see which jobs are running, which jobs are hogging the most CPU cycles, and, if you really need to have your job finish before any other, which jobs you can terminate abnormally. Most iSeries shops would be lost without Work with Active Jobs. But did you know that the Work with Active Jobs functionality is also available with Operations Navigator? READ MORE >

Reader Feedback and Insights

We value your feedback and your insights into the OS/400 market. Feel free to drop us a letter to the editor and we will post them in a reader feedback column associated with this newsletter. READ MORE >