egl my transition
DESCRIPTION
EGL My Transition. Jake Berberich Principal, Xavier Group Roanoke, VA. Background. Started with S/32 Construction, Medical, Retail, 3PL Independent Consultant last 4 years Retail, Manufacturing, Government, Distribution Like 4GL Languages Been searching…. Evaluated. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
31 October 2008 Xavier Group
EGLMy Transition
Jake Berberich
Principal, Xavier Group
Roanoke, VA
31 October 2008 Xavier Group
Background
• Started with S/32
• Construction, Medical, Retail, 3PL
• Independent Consultant last 4 years– Retail, Manufacturing, Government, Distribution
• Like 4GL Languages
• Been searching….
31 October 2008 Xavier Group
Evaluated
• Didn’t want the MS route
• Becoming a Java guy
• Generators for RPG/CGI
• PHP on the System i
31 October 2008 Xavier Group
Important from System i Perspective
• Access to legacy data
• Learning Curve
• Leverage existing skill sets
• Reuse tested tried and true code algorithms
• Platform Loyalty
31 October 2008 Xavier Group
Chose EGL
• Stars and Planets Aligned
• Client Needs a Web Solution
• Had to be Custom App
• Virtually Committed to Adopting EGL
31 October 2008 Xavier Group
What I avoided
• Needing to learn Java
• Other syntax intensive language
• HTML coding
• Migrating away from System i
31 October 2008 Xavier Group
Positioned to
• Leverage Existing Technology Investment
• Modernize Incrementally
• Pick Right Tool for Right Opportunity
• Mix Match Hybrid Technology
31 October 2008 Xavier Group
WIIFM
• Avoid a Dinosaurs' Fate
• Stay with the System i
• Deploy UI Experience 2nd to *NONE
31 October 2008 Xavier Group
Learning Curve for Legacy Guy
• Eclipse Workbench
• Binding Attributes to variables/functions
• Event Driven Run Time
• Result Sets vs. RPG Full Procedural Files
• Problem Determination –– Interpretation of WAS Server Console – Run time HTTP errors
31 October 2008 Xavier Group
Rich System i Tool Box
• Call your RPG and CLP routines
• QCMDEXC
• Data Area
• Logon authentication example
• Data Queue access have not used
• Technique for accessing file members
31 October 2008 Xavier Group
Development Attributes
• Content Assist (like F4)
• Annotate errors as you type
• Validate variable definition and ‘end’ tags
• Quick compile even for complex functions
• Compile/Run Cycle – Immediate Gratification
31 October 2008 Xavier Group
Built into the Tooling
• Paging Functions – (Antidotal Story)
• Category Groups
• Row Select Tool Bar or Combo Box
• In place edit of row content
31 October 2008 Xavier Group
Modus operandi
• Right time for the right tool
• Combined access of data SQL and RPG
• SQL function to populate sub-file arrays
• MVC
• RPG for record level access CRUD
• Perform heavy data edits or manipulation with RPG
31 October 2008 Xavier Group
What I Like
• Not that one couldn’t….
• Rich property attributes allow for run-time rendering
• Populating combo boxes from iSeries table values
• Radio buttons, check boxes, etc.
31 October 2008 Xavier Group
Rendering
31 October 2008 Xavier Group
Suggestions: Strategic
• Take the on-line class• Then supplement with self study• Audit classes when possible• Attend the periodic Best Practices Presentations• RSS feed the Café • RBD and JSF PowerPoint's update always have
new how-to(s)• Know your strengths • Co-opt … enabled colleague to do the UI
31 October 2008 Xavier Group
Suggestions: Tactical
• Use Tomcat for development
• Build Snippet Compendium
• Content Assist Softens Syntax Minutia
• Modify Page Designer Template where appropriate
• Carry Over Techniques – Incremental Testing of logic
31 October 2008 Xavier Group
Ever Increasing Resources
• EGL Café
• Examples for virtually every presentation view one would find in business
• More frequent articles by industry pundits
31 October 2008 Xavier Group
“What the users don’t know how to do, becomes what the product
can’t do.”Courtesy Jon Sayles, IBM EGL Presentation
31 October 2008 Xavier Group
Closing Thoughts
• Context of Business Application– Virtually any UI experience– For me, no gaps in EGL language capability
• EGL Choice… no second thoughts