Getting Started with WebSphere Development Studio Client
by David Morris

The new Eclipse-based WebSphere Development Studio client (WDSc) is like getting a great set of tools along with a new sports car. A cool car and a big selection of tools is way more fun than an old sedan and one multipurpose wrench. In this case, WDSc comes with built-in tools that support building Web and traditional green-screen-based applications. Supporting the various editors and views that WDSc provides for applications are tools that help manage team development, source changes, building applications, scripts, and WDSc extensions. On the surface, it might appear that IBM is just trying to emulate what Sun Microsystems has done with its open-source NetBeans product. In contrast, IBM's Eclipse supports more than just Java development; Eclipse is the foundation of a flexible development platform that makes sense for iSeries developers. READ MORE >

WebSphere Keeps on Rolling With OS/400 V5R2
by Joe Hertvik

Rather than making one big splash with WebSphere-related announcements for OS/400 V5R2, IBM is rolling out different iSeries-related WebSphere announcements, products, and marketing packages a little bit at a time. Some of the new features have been available; some will be available when V5R2 is released; and a few other iSeries WebSphere items should show up by year-end. Here's a timeline for what's happening with WebSphere and the iSeries. READ MORE >

OS/400 V5R2: More Features Added to RPG IV
by Jon Paris and Susan Gantner

While not quite as dramatic as the RPG IV enhancements to OS/400 V5R1, the new RPG IV features introduced with OS/400 V5R2 nonetheless says a lot about RPG development. Those convinced that IBM is de-investing in RPG should note the list of features added to the language in the last few releases. IBM has added more new features with each new release of RPG IV than they did in the whole of the lifetime of RPG III. READ MORE >

Users, Administrators, and Developers Gain from V5R2 Security
by Jack McAfee

Security management is not simply about employing technology to thwart attackers; rather it is an ongoing process of risk management. Any successful security management strategy must allow a company to safely grow its business by implementing integrated security management solutions that ensure continuous compliance with established and understood security policies. V5R2 builds on the significant security function introduced in V5R1 to help facilitate this objective. READ MORE >

APIs Added to OS/400 V5R2 Relieve Pain
by Kevin Vandever

All you fans of iSeries APIs should be happy to hear IBM will introduce dozens of new APIs with V5R2 on August 30. Even if you're not a fan of these little modular tools, IBM has made it difficult to ignore APIs by providing more of them and adding incremental changes to existing ones. In addition, IBM is also providing a much more effective and efficient way to search on them using the iSeries Information Center. READ MORE >

V5R2 FTP Security Enhancements
by Andrew Borts

Now that our precious iSeries and AS/400 systems are more frequently exposed to the Internet, we're opening our networks to protocols formerly considered high risk due to their open nature. FTP has now been secured in OS/400, keeping the pinholes in network security from growing. This is a significant improvement from the norm when people rarely opened their FTP servers to the public due to the lack of security. 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 >