Easy-to-Use User Indexes
by Bruce Guetzkow

Keyed physical and logical files can be useful when organizing data, but sometimes they can't be used. A variance report is typically sorted by a calculated value, which is not part of the database. Data returned from an API is not in a database, so it can't be processed using physical and logical keys. Work files can solve this problem, but an alternative is user indexes. A user index offers the usefulness of a key structure without the typical maintenance issues involved with production physical and logical files. This article explains the basic APIs needed to employ user indexes, and presents procedures and a service program to simplify their use. READ MORE >

Back to Basics: Data Entry Subfiles
by Kevin Vandever

In my last article, I showed you how to write a master file maintenance application using subfiles. This technique works well for those files that are not frequently maintained. But what about those that are? What about heads-down data entry? Can subfiles help us out there, too? The answer is yes. In fact, they are perfect for heads-down applications. Come learn how to write an application or two that will be able to keep up with the swiftest of data-entry personnel. READ MORE >

How to Get New Shoes with Work-Flow Oriented Menus
by G. Wayne Hawks

"I got new shoes!" Don't you love it when a 4-year-old tells you this, with such raw enthusiasm? Well, I got some new shoes, too, and they belong to my coworkers! I know you've heard this before, but please bear with me and see if this isn't a cool idea. Put yourself in your coworkers' footwear for a moment. When they're sitting in front of their menu, how do they know what option to take? What needs their attention the most, right now? READ MORE >

OS/400 Alert: Native OS/400 Security Tools
by Shannon O'Donnell

In this issue, I'll tell you about some security tools for OS/400 that you can use to report on the status of your OS/400 security. I'll also tell you about a vulnerability in wireless networks and about IBM's latest cumulative and database PTF patches. Finally, our editor in chief wanted to let you know about a bounty program offered by Microsoft to capture hackers. READ MORE >

Reader Feedback and Insights

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