Headstart Seminars

Introduction to HTML/Javascript/CSS for RPG Developers

An introduction to HTML, Javascript and Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) for RPG Developers.

The web can be a daunting place for the traditional RPG programmer. The layout of a web page is usually more decorative (and challenging to design) then the traditional 5250 screen. But you don’t need to be a graphic designer in order to code and develop web page you just need to know what the right tools are and how to use them. This workshop shows the traditional RPG programmer how HTML, XHTML, Javascript, DOM, CSS and DHTML can be used to develop and maintain web pages.

This workshop covers the following topics:-

• RPG Developers and the web
• Basic HTML
  • Structure
  • Paragraphs and Headings
  • Images
  • Links
  • Tables
  • Forms
• Javascript
  • Structure
  • Defining Functions
  • Associating functions with actions on a web page
  • Manipulating a web page with Javascript
• Cascading Style Sheets (CSS)
  • Structure
  • Changing Basic Elements
  • Containers
  • Designing web pages with CSS
• i and the Web
  • Serving web pages from the i
  • Configuring the Apache server on i

Speaker: Paul Tuohy

SQL: Beyond the Basics

You now have a grasp of SQL basics and are comfortable doing simple things with SELECT, UPDATE, INSERT, and DELETE. But you still find it a challenge when trying to go beyond the basics and attempt more complex SQL statements. If this is your experience, this four-hour seminar is for you.

After a quick review of some SQL basics, you will learn how to use SQL built-in functions for data manipulation and analysis, to derive and name new columns, reformat data, change data types, summarize data, and more. Next you will explore basic subselect, and more advanced forms of subselect; and see how a single SQL statement with subselect can dramatically simplify the logic in an RPG program, including the reference of two or more tables without doing a Join.

Next, we'll look at the SQL procedure language and how to use it to create SQL stored procedures and SQL triggers. You will explore SQL language triggers and learn the difference between column, row, and statement level triggers. We will also learn the various parts of an SQL trigger and how to code the logic using SQL.

After attending this seminar, you will understand how to:

• Use SQL built-in functions to do data manipulation and analysis
• Use subselect and scalar subselect to write complex SQL statements that reference multiple tables without requiring a table join
• Create and use SQL stored procedures
• Create and use SQL triggers

Skip combines lecture with live demonstrations to illustrate the SQL concepts and functions discussed in this seminar.

PLEASE NOTE: Some of the information provided in this seminar overlaps with the Summit session called ‘I Didn’t Know You Could Do That Using SQL.’

Speaker: Skip Marchesani

PHP for RPG Developers

The recent arrival of PHP on System i has generated a lot of interest. Millions of web programmers use PHP every day to create dynamic web applications quickly and easily. In fact recent surveys show that more than 16,000,000 Web sites use PHP as their server side scripting language.

So just what is PHP and why all the excitement? This jump start session provides an overview of PHP, its capabilities and its place in the System i world. This session will introduce you to the basics of programming in PHP on System i by drawing comparisons with the RPG IV language we all know and love. Just like RPG programmers, PHP users tend to focus on “getting the job done” and the simplicity and power of the language reflects that design perspective. We will also introduce you to some of the System i specific features that have been incorporated into the language. As you will see, PHP is both fun and easy to learn.

In addition to the above, we will also provide you with an overview of:

• The built-in database support that allows you to interoperate with databases on multiple platforms
• The built-in web services and XML support that makes it simple to develop new XML-enabled applications.
• The world of freely available PHP applications that allow you to quickly get a wiki, blog, shopping cart, or help desk application up and running quickly and at little or no cost.

Speaker: Jon Paris

From Subroutines to Subprocedures & Service Programs

Susan doesn’t code subroutines any more. In her opinion, subprocedures (aka, procedures) make great subroutine replacements. They can make your code more obvious, making maintenance easier, faster and more reliable. Take the extra step to package your commonly used procedures into ILE Service Programs and you can share them easily and efficiently among many programs.

This seminar covers the details of coding subprocedures - both the syntax and the best practices. We'll look at how prototypes are used with subprocedures and cover some valuable prototype keywords to make your coding life easier.

In addition, we'll cover the details of ILE Service Programs - what they are, why you should use them, how to package your subprocedures in them, and shortcuts for using them from your other programs.

This seminar provides a solid foundation that will prepare you for many of the other Summit sessions. Susan will also provide a suggested roadmap of Summit sessions to encourage you to continue your education on these topics in even greater depth.

Note: The majority of the content of this seminar is not covered in detail in the main Summit event, but there is some overlap in content with the Summit session "ILE Essentials, Part 1: Static Binding Basics."

Speaker: Susan Gantner