Application and Data Integration Between Linux and OS/400

January 28, 2004 Erwin Earley and David Boutcher

Previous articles have introduced the basics of Linux in logical partitioning, as well as networking alternatives for Linux, on iSeries systems. These articles covered the advantages of using iSeries for Linux in virtualizing resources (such as disk and network) and explained how to manage workloads better through subcapacity processor allocation. This article explains how Linux on iSeries can integrate with OS/400 to access data resident in DB2 databases, as well as flat files resident in the OS/400 Integrated File System.

A number of solutions can be built upon the virtual LAN features of Linux on iSeries to integrate Linux with

To Commit or Not to Commit?

January 28, 2004 Randy Adamski

If data integrity is important to you, you owe it to yourself to learn more about IBM‘s advanced database feature known as commitment control for the iSeries. This feature promises an all-or-nothing approach to database file changes. If multiple files are being updated, you can guarantee that all the files will be updated, or none of the files will be updated. Why is this important? Well, that’s what this article explains.

WHAT IS COMMITMENT CONTROL?

Commitment control is handled by the operating system, but the programmer still has a final say about whether a record (even with bad data)

Simplify Complex Conditions

January 28, 2004 Hey, Ted

One of the features I like about Open Query File is the %VALUES function, which allows me to determine whether a value is found in a list of other values. For example, the expression CTYPE = %VALUES(45 56) is equivalent to CTYPE = 45 or CTYPE = 56. RPG does not have a similar function. Is there no way to simplify complex conditions?

–David

For record selection with SQL, you can use an IN predicate with a set. However, that’s not what you’re asking for in this case.

One of the nice things about ILE is that you can

Retrieve the System Name

January 28, 2004 Hey, Ted

At the end of reports, I print a special line that indicates that the report is complete. In addition to the message “end of report,” I print the qualified job name, qualified program name, and in the case of SQL programs, the last value of the SQL status variable. These values help me to debug and troubleshoot problems. I’d like to add one more bit of information.

We recently got a new machine with logical partitioning, and we have set up a partition to use as a test environment. I would like to add the system name to the end-of-report

OS/400 Alert: Trials and Betas

January 28, 2004 Shannon O'Donnell

In this issue of “OS/400 Alert” you’ll learn about a new TCP/IP communications trace tool that should make diagnosing communications problems much easier. In addition, we’ll alert you to a nasty little virus that is poised to initiate a world wide denial-of-service attack starting on February 1. And, if you are looking for a way to fill some unused time, we’ll let you know where you can go to download dozens of IBM trial software.

INTELLIGENT COMMUNICATIONS TRACE ANALYZER FOR ISERIES

IBM has unveiled a new tool you can use the next time you experience problems with communications on your