Midrange Stuff, OS/400 Edition

Not every company or organization is concerned about managing multiple development environments. It's is a complex management issue, however, and each year many companies come face to face with the realities of it. Multiple operating environments in AS/400 and iSeries shops typically involve Unix and Windows developers working in a coordinated effort with OS/400 developers. Each developer typically versions files within his own development sandbox, which makes the process a bit of a free-for-all.

One of the most important aspects of multiplatform application development is making certain all files are distributed properly and then stored on their specified servers without mix ups, multiple versions, or deleted files.

Just as many companies evolve into multiplatform development programs, change management tools evolve with new tools and sophisticated enhancements. After successful implementations at several beta sites, Aldon Computer Group last week announced the newest release of its Affiniti change management product. In the evolution of Affiniti, this is version 3.0.

At the heart of Affiniti 3.0 is a Java-based distribution module that allows distribution of files to any server on a network that supports Java. Within this system, code can be automatically distributed to iSeries, Windows, mainframe, and a variety of Unix servers, at any point within the software development lifecycle. During the promotion process, Affiniti 3.0 permits users to specify, during setup, which files belong on specific servers and when those files should be distributed.

During the application development process, developers make changes and in a well-managed environment those changes get approved before development moves forward. One of Affiniti 3.0's features is a checkpoint system that allows all developers, regardless of platform, to be apprised of development progress, thus keeping everyone on the latest version as it progresses.

For an added measure of security and convenience, the checkpointed versions are stored in the Affiniti repository, so they can be backed up with all of the controlled files. This is accomplished without requiring the files to be checked in, so the danger of accidentally including a programmer's work-in-progress in a release is virtually eliminated. It also allows a developer to return to any of the checkpointed versions, if necessary.

Other Affiniti enhancements include "open with" support, which provides additional editor flexibility. It also has an enhanced Java parser and includes support for Java event triggers.

The database repository on 3.0 allows for logical, rather than physical, promotions, which the company promotes as a significant improvement to performance and security. Also improved is the "Add" function, which now allows for the addition of an entire directory hierarchy of files to the repository in a single operation.

As the demand for e-business applications drives development on the iSeries development, management of those applications will become a bigger issue. Affiniti 3.0 looks like a smart choice for companies looking for a tool to manage C+ + and Java source code in the OS/400 Integrated File System.

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Why Barnes & Noble Uses ASNA Visual RPG for Development:

Barnes & Noble needed to design a new system with a Windows appearance, but utilize their AS/400 database and the RPG development staff. The developers were able to create a new Windows application with the look and feel of a true Windows environment, and develop it in a language they were all familiar with. In doing so, they were able to transform from green-screen programmers into Windows programmers and they now have the knowledge of Visual programming with exposure to object oriented programming.

"ASNA Visual RPG provides experienced RPG programmers with the ability to create GUI-based applications easily with minimal formal training."
—Yuriy Khaykin, Barnes & Noble

ASNA Visual RPG (AVR) for Web, Windows and .NET Development

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