Transcript Informix 4GL - WebSphere Studio EGL Integration

Session: I02
4GL to EGL – Hype or Reality
Jean Georges Perrin
IIUG
Monday, October 2nd 2006 • 13:30 – 14:30.
Platform: IDS, EGL
Agenda
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Who Am I
EGL Overview
4GL to EGL Conversion
Partner Technology
Summary
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Agenda
•
•
•
•
•
Who Am I
EGL Overview
4GL to EGL Conversion
Partner Technology
Summary
3
Who am I?
• My Unix box usually answers…
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Who am I (outside of a Unix box)?
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Jean Georges Perrin
Development tools (xGL, Java EE, PHP)
Works with Informix products since ’97
IIUG board member
since ’02
• Lives in
Strasbourg, France
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A little more…
• Application developer, started with Visual Basic, in
the early 90s
• In the web since 1994
• Move to 4GL in 1997
• Goals:
• Webizing all things I touched (business apps,
catalogs and i-4GL…)
• Find the ease of use of Visual Basic
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And you…
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Who knows 4GL?
Who knows Java?
Who thinks Java is difficult?
Who knows EGL?
Who knows .net?
Who is going my Java & PHP lectures later this
week?
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Agenda
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Who Am I
EGL Overview
4GL to EGL Conversion
Partner Technology
Summary
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What is EGL?
What is EGL?
• Business Programming Language + Development
Environment
Business Programming Language
• Robust, easy-to-learn, mature
• Aimed squarely at technical business developers, who need to
solve business problems as quickly and efficiently as possible
• Based on combination of Informix 4GL + IBM’s VAGen
• Over 25 years of R&D + production use
+ Development Environment
• Integrated into Rational Software Development Platform
• Based on industry-standard artifacts and development patterns
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EGL Enables
4GL
Power
Builder
Visual
Basic
EGL
VAGen
EGL
Oracle
Forms
RP
G
C
O
B
O
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L
Deploy to
diverse
platforms
Higher
Productivity
Software Deliverables
What can you build using EGL?
• Database oriented applications
• Standalone Batch / Reporting applications
• Standalone CUI (Character User Interface) applications
• Linux, Unix, Windows, iSeries, CICS (zOS)
• Web applications
• Provide Web Services / Consume Web services
• Message-oriented applications (WebSphere MQ Support builtin)
• Rich GUI clients (planned for Rational SDP 7.0)
• Callable programs from traditional Java rich GUI clients
• EGL generates both Java (standard) and COBOL (optional)
• WSED required for COBOL generation
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Rational Software Development
Platform Configurations
Rational Software Architect For architects and lead
developers building J2EE or C++
based solutions
Rational Application Robust J2EE transactional
Applications
Developer
 EJB development
Rational Web Developer Web Applications
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Page & site visual composition
JSP, Servlet, XML, & Web services tools
Rich Java Client tools
Rapid, simplified Development
-JSF/WDO, Wizards, Struts Visual Builder
-Enterprise Generation Language (EGL)
 Integrated Test Environment
Workbench:
 Portal/Portlets
design and
construction tools
 Code analysis
assistance and
automation
 United Java and C/C++
development platform
 Application analysis
assistance and
automation
 UML language
transforms
 Full RSM capabilites
 Full RAD capabilites
 UML visual editors
 Team Support
Clearcase LT
A comprehensive Java IDE with unprecedented flexibility & extensibility
 Configurations & “perspectives"
 Plug-in Architecture
 Local & Team resource management
 Common IDE across Windows & Linux
 Superior Java programming facilities
 http://www.eclipse.org
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EGL Data Access: Simplified
programming model for data access
Add
• “Record” abstracts access to:
• Relational data
• MQ messages
• Indexed, Relative, Serial data
• DL/I (v7.0)
Get
Replace
Delete
Commit
EGL Record
SQL
MQ
DL/I
XML
* - future
Serial
Indexed
• Common verbs for data access/unit of work management
• Add, Get, Replace, Delete, Commit
• I/O errors handled in a common fashion across disparate data
types
• Data format conversions handled automatically
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Relative
EGL Batch applications
Easy access to data sources
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EGL record concept
Inline coding of SQL statements
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execute #sql{ ... }
Command line arguments are supported
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SysLib.getCmdLineArg()
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SysLib.getCmdLineArgCount( )
Character based output and
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displayLineMode()
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result = promptLineMode()
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EGL CUI applications
EGL supports character oriented (CUI)
and text oriented (TUI) applications
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CUI: Windows, Linux, Unix
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TUI: zOS, iSeries
EGL CUI applications can be deployed
either ascurses-based (Linux, Unix) or
Java windows based (Windows, Linux,
Unix)
The EGL CUI look and feel is based on
the Informix
4GL menus and forms behaviour
EGL CUI forms support Query by
Example (QBE)
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EGL Web applications
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Seamles integration with JSP
(Java Server pages) and JSF
(Java Server Faces)
Pagehandler code: 100% EGL
• Contains functions and data
related to a .jsp page
• “onPageLoad()” function
• Declare local data
structures
• Functions bound to
command buttons
Deployment support for
WebSphere application server
and Apache‘s Tomcat
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EGL Reporting (JasperReports)
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EGL has a builtin reporting API, based on
JasperReports
JasperReports: powerful OpenSource,
Java based reporting engine
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Multiple Output formats: Text, PDF,
HTML, XML, CSV
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Callback function support
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Complex sub-report and grouping
functionality
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http://jasperreports.sourceforge.net
The JasperReports libraries are bundled
with Rational SDP
Jasper report design editors available
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iReport – Standalone, OpenSource
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JasperAssistant – Eclipse plugin,
Commercial
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EGL Messaging / File Access
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EGL supports easy access to
message queues and external files
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Based on the EGL record
concept
EGL Messaging support based on
WebSphere MQ
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Allows easy integration with
heterogeneous applications
EGL file access
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serialRecord (all operating
systems)
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indexedRecord,
relativeRecord (VSAM
access only – AIX and zOS)
EGL relational database table
export / import functions
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sysLib.unloadTable()
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sysLib.loadTable()
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EGL in a Service Oriented
Architecture
JSF Page
& Handler
custSearch.jsp
custSearch.jsp
Service
Implementation
Interface
custSearch
customer Customer;
Javascript
JSF Function onPageLoad()
EGL
customerLib.getcust(id);
customerLib.getdisc(id);
End
Function
updateCustomer()
updateCustomer();
calcDiscount(cust);
End
DiscountService
Service Discount
Service
Implementation
EGL
Function CalcDiscount(cust)
…
End
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CustomerService
Service Customer
Function allCustomers()
get customers;
End
Function updateCustomer()
update customer
End
EGL
Function sendRequest()
…
Customer
Informix,
DB2,
Cloudscape
Agenda
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•
•
•
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Who Am I
EGL Overview
4GL to EGL Conversion
Partner Technology
Summary
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Why move to EGL?
• Support for Informix IDS and DB2
• Support for Windows platforms
• A single development environment:
• supporting EGL, Java, COBOL and Web application
development
• to maintain and enhance existing TUI applications
• Mature, field-tested I4GL business logic can be used within new
web applications
• Standard “curses” library will allow much better color support in
character applications
• Many legacy I4GL constructs can also be deployed as host (z and
i-series) applications
• Enhanced reporting capabilities
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I4GL Program becomes EGL Program
C functions
form.per
main.4gl
inventory
.4gl
c_code.c
catalog.
4gl
Text
Reports
IDS
Database
I4GL to EGL Conversion
main_program.egl
SchemaLib.egl
Text
formForm.egl
main.egl
inventory
.egl
catalog.
egl
Reports
C functions
c_code.so
or
c_code.dll
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Conversion Strategy
Goal is to convert an I4GL application to the equivalent EGL application
that uses:
• the same display device
• the same database server
• I4GL TUI applications will be converted to EGL TUI applications
Convert, on a program-by-program basis, using the conversion utilities:
• provided as part of the IDE
• also available from the command line
Separate conversion passes required for:
• database metadata extraction
• 4GL shared libraries
• I4GL source code
Automated conversion should convert most I4GL source code
• some I4GL programs may require manual intervention
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Converting 4GL code?
Rational SDP conversion plug-in
• runs within the EGL development
• GUI wizard collects information
• generates configuration XML files
• invokes the conversion utility
Command line conversion utility
• Java program can be run in current I4GL build environments
• requires configuration file describing current I4GL environment
• generates EGL conversion “projects”
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Conversion Artifacts
Configuration file
• XML file generated from interaction with conversion wizard
• contains required conversion project information
Manifest file
• XML file generated during conversion of shared libraries
• contains declaration and usage information about the functions
used in the shared library
Log file
• contains warnings and errors
• status of each source file
• summary of conversion
Makefile
• single makefile for all I4GL platforms
• used to re-link the project shared library with EGL JNI stack
library
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Conversion Assumptions
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I4GL code is “legal”
• it will compile with I4GL 7.32 compiler
• conversion will not “fix” invalid I4GL code
Multiple passes are required
Functions that can not be resolved during conversion are
assumed to be C code functions
• if function is later found to be an I4GL function, re-conversion
would be required
C code functions do not use undocumented I4GL internal
functions
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Conversion Order
Database metadata
• conversion creates EGL packages for each database used in
the project
• schema metadata will become a separate EGL project which
can be referenced by other EGL projects
I4GL Shared libraries
• conversion generates Manifest file and makefile
I4GL Source files
• .4gl files
• .per (form) files
• message files
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Pre-Conversion Tasks
• Identify & locate all the components of the 4GL application to be
converted (.4gl, .per, message files, shared libraries)
• Identify connection information for each database used
• Start Informix database instances
• Mount/copy source code to EGL development machine, if required
• Determine destination directory for converted EGL source code &
conversion artifacts
• Identify “Client” locale – used to convert message files
• Identify font information – used to generate report designs
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Post-Conversion Tasks
• Review log file
• Fix identified problems
• on the 4GL side and re-convert or
• in the new EGL file
• shared libraries may have to be re-converted if functions
cannot be resolved
• Open the project in the IDE
• Verify EGL packages and source files
• View/update EGL build descriptor file
• “Generate” Java code for the project
• fix problems in the EGL code
• Set runtime properties from existing environment variables
• Launch new EGL project
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Conversion Limitations
• Database connections cannot be shared between EGL and C
code
• C code cannot call EGL functions
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Now What Can You Do With It …
Use your I4GL
Business
Logic in EGL
Web Services
Webmain.egl
Webinventory.egl
DB2
HTML
Output
IDS
Use your I4GL
Business Logic
in whatever
comes next!!!
Use your I4GL
with Message
Queues
XML
Output
PDF
Output
C functions
Text
Reports
SchemaLib.egl
BL
BL
BL
main.egl
form.egl
BL
inventory.egl
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catalog.egl
c_code.so
From 4GL to EGL and beyond...
EGL
GUI App
(RSDP 7.0)
Informix
4GL App
WebSphere
Application Server
Eclipse
RCP Plugin
(RSDP 7.0)
e.g. Lotus
Workplace
EGL based
Portlet
(EGL.Next)
e.g. WebSphere
Portal Server
Batch-/
Character
based
EGL App
Web (JSF)
EGL App
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Agenda
•
•
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Who Am I
EGL Overview
4GL to EGL Conversion
Partner Technology
Summary
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Technology Developed by Partners
Migrate Informix 4GL to EGL web
using eSmartSoft EGL TUI to
EGL web conversion Parser
EGL Text
UI
Application
4GL Text
UI
Application
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EGL Web
Application
eSmartSoft Technology
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Field tested with three 4GL
to EGL web conversion
already completed and in
deployed in production.
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Capability to handle large
complex projects. Already
implemented conversion of
1600 module 4GL
application to EGL Web.
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Language neutral, bidirectional including 7-bit
locale conversion to
Unicode
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eSmartSoft conversion process
Movie Time
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Agenda
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Who Am I
EGL Overview
4GL to EGL Conversion
Partner Technology
Summary
37
EGL Summary
 Easy to learn, lowers skills barrier to e-business
 Higher productivity to deliver systems faster
 Maximum flexibility
 Multiple platforms and topologies
 Step to Java if required
 Integrated with latest technology (Eclipse, JSF, Jasper, …)
 Bring legacy to e-business
 Easily connect to existing resources
 Quickly develop new functions on traditional platforms
EGL = Great language for new application development!
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And now…
• I recommend you come ’n see: “Introduction to
Java development with IDS” and “Introduction
to PHP development with IDS”
• Come to see me in San Jose (May 2007):
“Introduction to EJB3 dev. with IDS and Viper”
• (Give me good marks so I can be selected as best
speaker of the conference and beat Darryl, Lester
and Art - previous speakers).
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And now (seriously)…
• Download EGL (I guess you all have IDS already)
• Download the fix packs
• Download Jonathan Sayles’ excellent work from
http://www.jsayles.com/ibm
• Join the development-tools forum on IIUG web site
• Get started with a few examples
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And as Winter is coming…
The 4GL/EGL Redbook!
• EGL Language Concepts
• The Rational SDP environment
• A simple EGL web application
• 4GL to EGL conversion
• EGL and databases
• Advanced EGL web programming
• EGL and JasperReports
• EGL Deployment
• EGL CUI applications
• plus much more...
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Additional Resources & Forum
• EGL on
IBM DeveloperWorks
• EGL Tutorials
• EGL Documentation
• EGL Code Examples
• An active EGL Forum
• plus more...
URLs:
http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/rational/products/egl
http://tinyurl.com/lz6l9
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I02
4GL to EGL – Hype or Reality
Jean Georges Perrin
IIUG
[email protected]
[email protected]
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