Talsco Weekly: Are you interested in learning how to use APIs?

Welcome to another edition of Talsco Weekly

Development: The History of React.js.
Upgrades: The Power Systems Upgrade Cycle.
Open Source: What is Web3?
AI: Is ChatGPT ready for prime time?
API: What are APIs and why are they important? Are you interested in learning how to use APIs?

Development

The History of React.js Here we go again talking about open-source development on the IBM i. We do it because it is the future. While the RPG language is, and always will be at the core of the platform, the IBM i is "designed to adapt to the ever-changing needs of both business and computing." It is an open-source platform that is built for integration. As we work with our clients on succession planning and modernization projects, there is a push to build fully featured browser applications, and one of the ways they do this is by using React.js. React.js is a "JavaScript library for building user interfaces." If you are going down the rabbit hole with React, you might enjoy this documentary. It "brings you the full story behind the early days of React, focusing on the dedicated group of developers who helped bring it to the world stage."

Upgrades

The Power Systems Upgrade Cycle "Another three years, and another upgrade cycle that can bring about the modernizing of the Power Systems iron that supports the IBM i customer base." What does this mean? Some customers are stuck on older releases because:

They are cheapskates by necessity, or they have applications that can only run on older releases like OS/400 V5R3, i5/OS 5.4, or IBM i 6.1.

There is a lot to unpack in this article. If you are running Power6 to Power7, Power7+, or Power8, this is an important read.

Open Source

What is Web3? "We're in a new era (or at least the early days of a new chapter) — not just a new period in our technological history but also a new paradigm for how people work and contribute to solving problems." The rise of open source software has lead to the emergence of Web3 technologies. What does Web3 actually mean? In summary:

"Web3 refers to the next generation of the internet, which is decentralized and enables more direct, secure, and private interactions between users without intermediaries. Instead of relying on centralized systems like companies or governments, Web3 uses technology such as blockchain to create a network of peers who can transact and exchange value directly with each other."

The result:

Is a "more open, transparent, and fair environment where users have greater control over their data."

AI

Is ChatGPT ready for prime time? "Since its unveiling in November 2022, there has been a lot of buzz around ChatGPT—OpenAI’s generative AI chatbot. Although there are similar projects, such as Google’s Bard, ChatGPT got an enormous boost as it was free, easy to use, and could be deployed in a variety of ways." The question that everyone has is, "Will AI and services like ChatGPT put people out of work?" Frank Scavo, Partner and President of Avasant Research, decided to put it to the test. You can read more about it here. In conclusion, "we are still in the early days of generative AI, and it will no doubt get better in the coming years."

API

What are APIs and why are they important? "The API is a powerful and versatile means to connect diverse and disparate software applications. APIs allow a vast array of unrelated software products to integrate and interoperate with other software and data. APIs also allow developers to add features and functionality to software by utilizing a rich array of other developers' APIs. Much of today's enterprise, mobile, and web software depends on a wide range of APIs." There are four types of APIs:

Public APIs: "A public API is open and available for use by any outside developer or business."
Partner APIs: "Only available to specifically selected and authorized outside developers or API consumers, is a means to facilitate business-to-business activities."
Internal APIs: "An internal or private API is intended only for use within the enterprise to connect systems and data within the business."
Composite APIs: "Combine two or more APIs to craft a sequence of related or interdependent operations."

REST and SOAP SOAP and REST are the two most common protocols used. SOAP: "The simple object access protocol (SOAP) is a messaging standard defined by the World Wide Web Consortium and broadly used to create web APIs, usually with XML. SOAP supports a wide range of communication protocols found across the internet, such as HTTP, SMTP, and TCP/IP." REST: Stands for "representational state transfer" (REST) and is perhaps the most popular approach to building APIs. REST relies on a client/server approach that separates the front and back ends of the API and provides considerable flexibility in development and implementation." This article goes on to give you a comparison between REST and SOAP, what they are best used for, and some real-world examples. Are you interested in learning how to use APIs? If you are an RPG developer, you know that web applications have become an integral part of business operations. And, with the increasing demand for web-based services, there is an increasing need to know how to write APIs. One of the best places to learn more about APIs is at WMCPA's Spring Technical Conference. There, you will have the opportunity to attend the following sessions:

Options for Consuming REST APIs from RPG with Scott Klement
The Magic of Rest APIs and IBM i with Tim Rowe
Python APIs aka Web Services with Mike Pavlak
Why API? with Brian May
API Enabled in Minutes using Profound API with Brian May
Real-time integrations – APIs, Event Streams, and Process Automation with Dmitriy Kuznetsov

Check out all of the 36th Annual Spring Conference session details. Register today.

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