• The Four Hundred
  • Subscribe
  • Media Kit
  • Contributors
  • About Us
  • Contact
Menu
  • The Four Hundred
  • Subscribe
  • Media Kit
  • Contributors
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • A Simple Web Service Framework from Core-I Solutions

    May 20, 2020 Alex Woodie

    It can sometimes be difficult for IBM i shops to communicate with the outside world. RPG developers can get lost in the weeds of trying to figure out how to move data off IBM i to another platform. One potential solution is a new REST/Web services framework called Corei RSt that its creator says will simplify APIs.

    According to Core-I Solutions principal Jefferson Vaughn, a senior software engineer based in South Carolina, the Corei RSt framework streamlines the process of exposing IBM i data to business partners, customers, and outside developers who aren’t inside the company’s intranet.

    The framework leverages the Apache HTTP Server to connect incoming Web services requests to pre-built backend IBM i programs, which fetch the data from Db2 for i and returns it back through the HTTP Server to complete the API request.

    The APIs created by Corei RSt includes two components: the URL command that instantiates the connection and tells the backend API library what program to invoke, and the IBM i programs that fetch the data. The backend IBM i applications could be anything supported on IBM i, but Vaughn typically sees an RPG-SQL application being used, as the program can be re-used more easily within the organization.

    Once the framework is set up, it’s easy for developers to create new APIs on the IBM i server and to expose them to other platforms and users, Vaughn says. These APIs can be configured to accept payload in JSON documents, or to use a traditional REST approach, depending on the need.

    Corei RSt is a Web services framework designed to simplify the exposure of Db2 data to the outside world.

    APIs that accept REST payloads are simpler to create and typically are used for smaller, more targeted data requests, usually originating from outside the company’s VPN, Vaughn says. The JSON technique, on the other hand, is more complex to set up, serves much more data with a single API request, is and is typically used by front-end developers within the company’s VPN to serve GUI applications with Db2 data, he says. (In the latest release, XML is also supported, he says.)

    Similarly, the Corei RSt software works with both HTTP and HTTPS connections that are protected with TLS 1.2 certificates. Again, HTTP is typically used for requests that come from within the firewall, while the encrypted HTTPS connection would be used for outside communications.

    Vaughn says he developed Corei RSt after experiencing how frustrating it can be to get data off the IBM i server.

    Jefferson Vaughn has created a series of IBM i tools that he sells through his website at www.jeffersonvaughn.com

    “Many RPG shops I have been in have been structured in a way where the sys admin and architects may put frameworks in to place that the RPG developers work on,” Vaughn tells IT Jungle via email. “Those frameworks keep the developers in a functional area that allows them to efficiently do their relational database development with minimal framework issues and distractions.

    “However, this whole separation of duties thing can be a bit of a frustration for us developers that are anxious to get into cross platform development, and where our organization has not provided any sort of efficient way to allow us to write our IBM i programs to move data to other systems,” he continues.

    Instead of getting lost in the technical weeds of moving data off IBM i, such as by using sockets, Corei RSt lets developers focus on their primary goal: translating business needs to functional software.

    “I would expect this Corei RSt product be at the hands of an IBM i shop’s lead architect or administrator,” he continues. “With this very simple yet powerful framework, it can be deployed to allow your development team to create APIs with no learning curve at all.”

    Vaughn, who has been developing on the IBM i platform for over 20 years, also offers an encryption tool for data residing in Db2 for i. That tool, which uses AES crypto libraries, is a good fit for the Corei RSt framework, he says. He also has developed a managed file transfer (MFT) tool through his website at https://www.jeffersonvaughn.com/.

    Share this:

    • Reddit
    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
    • Email

    Tags: Tags: Apache HTTP Server, API, Core-I Solutions, Corei RSt, DB2 for i, IBM i, JSON, Managed File Transfer, MFT, REST, RPG

    Sponsored by
    Fresche Solutions

    Executive Report for IT Leaders

    Why Smart Modernization Is the Path to Successful IBM i Digital Transformation

    Download this report to get answers these key questions:

    • What is driving digital transformation?
    • Where are organizations going wrong with respect to modernization?
    • What is the best / most efficient / smartest way forward?

    Get the Report »

    _________________________________________________________________

    About Fresche Solutions

    Fresche is the leading provider of digital transformation enablement, application modernization and optimization solutions for companies that rely on IBM i Power Systems. Through the power of automated tools and experienced professionals, Fresche delivers smart solutions that bring our clients the best, boldest ideas to fuel transformation and better manage their business and IT. Our low-risk, phased approach is giving companies new ability to digitally innovate and improve operational processes while leveraging IT assets so clients can take advantage of digital solutions including web, mobile, cloud and AI.

    We can help you with:

    • Developing your IT strategy
    • Building an IBM i roadmap
    • Transforming your RPG and CA 2E (Synon) code to modern languages
    • Addressing developing shortages
    • Quickly onboarding new IT staff
    • Increasing developer productivity
    • Integrating with other systems
    • Extending your ERP
    • Understanding your applications
    • Deploying modern interfaces
    • Improving business agility
    • Starting your digital transformation journey

    Share this:

    • Reddit
    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
    • Email

    Raz-Lee Launches Web Interface for iSecurity Suite The End is Near for Zend Server Basic PHP

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

TFH Volume: 30 Issue: 33

This Issue Sponsored By

  • Maxava
  • Fresche Solutions
  • WorksRight Software
  • 400School.com
  • Raz-Lee Security

Table of Contents

  • The End is Near for Zend Server Basic PHP
  • A Simple Web Service Framework from Core-I Solutions
  • Raz-Lee Launches Web Interface for iSecurity Suite
  • Four Hundred Monitor, May 20
  • IBM i PTF Guide, Volume 22, Number 20

Content archive

  • The Four Hundred
  • Four Hundred Stuff
  • Four Hundred Guru

Recent Posts

  • Doing The Texas Two Step From Power9 To Power10
  • PHP’s Legacy Problem
  • Guru: For IBM i Newcomers, An Access Client Solutions Primer
  • IBM i 7.1 Extended Out To 2024 And Up To The IBM Cloud
  • Some Practical Advice On That HMC-Power9 Impedance Mismatch
  • IBM Extends Dynamic Capacity Pricing Scheme To Its Cloud
  • Here’s What You Should Do About The IBM i Skills Shortage
  • Matillion Founder Recounts Midrange Roots
  • Four Hundred Monitor, February 24
  • IBM i PTF Guide, Volume 23, Number 8

Subscribe

To get news from IT Jungle sent to your inbox every week, subscribe to our newsletter.

Pages

  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Contributors
  • Four Hundred Monitor
  • IBM i PTF Guide
  • Media Kit
  • Subscribe

Search

Copyright © 2021 IT Jungle

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.