How Modern is the IBM i platform?

Welcome to another edition of Talsco Weekly

IBM i Briefs: TRs for IBM i 7.4 and 7.5.
Career: Help Wanted—IBM i Coders.
Database: What is DB2 for i Multisystem?
Modernization: How Modern is the IBM i platform?
Leadership: Building Productive IT Teams.

News

TRs for IBM i 7.4 and 7.5 "These are relatively minor releases that bring incremental improvements to core areas of the platform, including IBM i Navigator, IWS, PowerHA, and RPG, among others." There will be more in-depth coverage in the coming weeks, but here is what is coming this month. The new IBM i Navigator, now called the new Nav as it is now referred to, "features in IBM i 7.5 TR2 include support for DNS configuration and support for the Integrated File System (IFS)." Database: "IBM is now leveraging more of the Power10 goodness that IBM built into the hardware with the SQL Query Engine (SQE)." The "releases also bring a host of new SQL-based services that accomplish various tasks on the system and serve as replacements for writing Control Language (CL) code or working with system APIs." Development: There are "new built-in functions (BIFs) in the Rational Development Studio for i (RDS) compiler package to perform percent splits in RPG (%SPLIT), new string BIFs for %LEFT and %RIGHT, and others." These are just a few of the improvements and enhancements that are shipping next month. For more details, head on over to "IT Jungle" for the full report.

Career

Help Wanted - IBM i Coders "If you have a knack for IBM i development and a passion for open source, then Liam Allan, the creator of the Code for IBM i project, would like" your help.

Database

What is DB2 for i Multisystem? Here is an article from across the pond (if you are a U.S. reader). What is DB2 for i MultiSystem? "DB2 for i MultiSystem is a feature of the IBM i operating system that allows multiple IBM i servers to share a single instance of the DB2 for i database." "This feature enables companies to consolidate multiple IBM i systems into a single system, reducing hardware, software, and management costs." This article takes a look at the partitioning component of DB2 for i MultiSystem. It dives into the "great benefits of database partitioning, as it is an excellent tool for archiving."

Modernization

How Modern is the IBM i platform? Answer: It's as modern as you want it to be. Due to the backward compatibility of the IBM i, it might not seem that modern for many IBM i shops.

"Backward compatibility is a key feature of the IBM i operating system that helps to ensure the longevity and stability of IBM i systems.

While it allows for RPG applications developed on older versions of the OS to continue to work on newer versions without requiring significant modifications, there are drawbacks. The Drawbacks:

To maintain compatibility with older applications and hardware, the OS may need to restrict certain capabilities or use older, less efficient methods of performing certain tasks.
Backward compatibility can make the OS more complex and difficult to maintain over time.
It encourages a reluctance to upgrade to newer systems and technologies.

Have you run into any of these issues? The IBM i is Modern Your IBM i can be modern if you want it to be. Take a look at the lineup of technology sessions at POWERUp 2023 in Denver this next week. The lineup is full of sessions that will help you discover cost-effective ways you can modernize and digitally transform your IBM i environment. Here are a few of the sessions to get you thinking:

What is new and exciting in RPG with Scott Klement."With each new release of the IBM i operating system and with Technology Refreshes, IBM has given us some new features in RPG. This session tells you about the new and exciting features of RPG and how you might like to use each feature in your own applications."
An RPGers Take on VS Code for the IBM i, with Susan Gantner. RDi and Merlin aren't the only options for IBM i developers. Here you will explore the open-source extension to Visual Code Studio called Code for IBM i.
The Basics of Node.js on the IBM i, with Mark Irish. "Node.js is one of the fastest-growing language runtimes in development history. By allowing the popular JavaScript language to run on the server side, it brings immeasurable value in terms of developer productivity, performance, and scalability. This presentation covers what Node.js is, why one would want to use Node.js, and finally, how to download and get started with Node.js on IBM i."

Take notice, that every session at PowerUp 2023 is designed to help you take full advantage of the amazing power of the IBM i platform. So, what is holding you or your IBM i back?

Leadership

Building Productive IT Teams This article explores the significance of hiring developers who not only possess the necessary technical expertise but also demonstrate qualities such as teamwork, communication, and adaptability. By prioritizing character alongside skill, businesses can build a stronger, more cohesive team that is better equipped to tackle complex projects and overcome challenges. Here are the key takeaways:

Develop Multiple Dimensions: This gives you an idea of the scope of work, the skills needed, and the size of the team.
Character Traits to Consider: Candidates with a proven aptitude for learning new technologies and skills, and for performing well in new roles, are best suited to tackling challenges and shifting roles in business.
Motives and Mindset: "Find out what’s motivating their move, and you might find talent that is predisposed to overcoming challenges and focused on growth."

"A good team is as invested in its environment and culture as its leader."

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