System i Developer eLearning

SQL (Structured Query Language) is the most widely used language for relational databases: it is a data language that may be used to create, control, access, and manipulate databases. The data language is both simple to use and extremely powerful. Since it is the standard cross-platform language for accessing relational databases, it serves as a foundation for nearly all cross-platform and inter-language database access technologies, such as ODBC and JDBC. This course shows you how to use SQL in conjunction with IBM DB2 for i, one of the most powerful relational database management systems in existence.

This is not a programming course (the use of Embedded SQL is a separate course) so the only prerequisite is that you know how to access an i. Exercises will be provided so students can practice what they have learned between sessions.

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Important Dates: Starts Tuesday, January 17

XML is the preferred method for interchanging data for today's applications - particularly when the data interchange occurs between disparate platforms. Whether you need to use XML as a replacement for traditional EDI, for consuming web services or some unique aspect of your own in-house applications, XML is rapidly becoming a "must have" skill for today's application developers.

In this course, Jon will introduce RPGers to the XML language itself and will also explore how RPG IV can be used to both create and consume XML, more easily than you may think.

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Important Dates: Starts Monday, January 30

In this four-part course, we will examine the essential information you need to know to effectively use ILE and RPG in today's modular applications. Join Susan to begin your journey to developing modular ILE applications with RPG.

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Important Dates: Starts Monday, January 300

Through the use of Stored Procedures, Functions and Triggers, SQL (Structured Query Language) provides a means for other languages (and platforms) to take advantage of existing code or to access SQL capabilities from RPG or COBOL applications. Stored procedures provide a means of calling routines that may or may not return a result set. Functions provide a means of writing your own scalar functions. Triggers provide a means of having code execute based on database events.

This course shows you how to code and create SQL Stored Procedures, Functions and Triggers that utilize existing code (external) and how and how to code and create SQL Stored Procedures, Functions and Triggers that are written in SQL (SQL).

The seminar will cover the following topics:-

• What are Stored Procedures, Functions & Triggers and where and why you might use them
• Common components
• Development tools
• Creating Functions from existing RPG code (programs and subprocedures)
• SQL and sourced function
• Parameter styles
• Overloading functions
• Table Functions
• Stored Procedures
• RPG programs to return one or more result sets
• Returning result sets to the caller or the client
• SQL control statements (how to program in SQL)
• Writing stored procedures using only SQL
• Handling exception/errors in external and SQL routines
• Triggers
  • How they are attached to a table
  • How they are activated
  • Coding External Triggers in RPG
  • The benefits of SQL Triggers (and there are benefits) and how to code them

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Important Dates: Starts Tuesday, January 31

RPG IV is a powerful language and by using the appropriate techniques there's almost nothing it can't handle. From building web applications, to accessing web services, to creating and updating spreadsheets, RPG can do it all. But there's a problem. To access these capabilities requires the use of APIs, many of which can be quite complex. And even if the techniques are mastered, somehow the resulting applications just don't "feel" like RPG. Calling an API just isn't quite as simple as issuing a READ or a WRITE and that can make maintenance harder because team members need to understand the "plumbing" involved.

In these sessions, Jon will describe how RPG SPECIAL files and the new Open Access for RPG make it possible to use conventional I/O to integrate such functionality into your RPG applications.

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Important Dates: Starts Tuesday, February 21

Say "Goodbye" to SEU and find out just how much more productive and fun your programming job can be! Whether you plan to install RDi, WDSC or the very latest: RDP, this workshop will help you get off a fast start using RSE (the Remote System Explorer).

We'll cover practical steps, hints and tips that will enable you to be more productive with the new toolset from day 1. RPG IV code will be used in examples and demonstrations during this course. However, most of the course material will be applicable to other languages as well.

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Important Dates: Starts Tuesday, February 21

Many RPG programmers have used interactive SQL as a tool to quickly browse data or to create test data scenarios, but have stopped short of integrating it into their RPG applications. Come to this session to learn why, when and how to use SQL in conjunction with RPG. We will cover the basics of embedding SQL into RPG, including using SQL cursors and a few tips on getting good performance from your SQL applications.

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Important Dates: Starts Monday, March 5

The web can be a daunting place for the traditional RPG programmer. But if you are that traditional RPG programmer, this course gives you the fastest way to get your i applications talking to the web.

You don't need Java, PHP, ASPs, JSPs or Websphere. You already have everything you need in RPG IV and ILE, the Apache HTTP Server and CGIDEV2. CGIDEV2 is a FREE tool from IBM that provides subprocedures to process externally defined HTML and "wrappers" for the CGI APIs.

Of course the other great challenge is the browser interface. 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. So, along the way, this course shows you how HTML, XHTML, Javascript, DOM, CSS and DHTML can be used to develop and maintain web pages.

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Important Dates: Starts Monday, April 2