Talsco Weekly: Migrating from COBOL to Modern RPG: A Guide

Welcome to another edition of Talsco Weekly

IBM i Brief: IBM Announces end of support for a number of IBM i functions. 📈 NGS Bolsters Excel Integration (New Release). ⚙️ Automated Testing Solution for IBM i Applications. What does the RPGPGM.COM-unity mean to you?
AI: 🔒 IBM introduces AI-Powered Security Assistant.
Career: 📚 Migrating from COBOL to Modern RPG: A Guide.
Development: 📈 IBM Releases Constant Standalone Fields to RPG. 🔍 Understanding IBM-i job QZDASOINIT. Unlock the Power of Node.js: The Ultimate Toolbox for New and Experienced Developers 🧰
Hiring: The Best Ways To Hire RPG Developers. 🎓 Kisco Systems expands IBM i fellowship.

IBM i Brief

IBM Announces end of support for a number of IBM i functions

IBM i 7.5 will be the last release that will deliver the following functions from the IBM i portfolio.

See the list here.

For any and all updates IBM i related, a great place to go is the IBM i References Blog.

📈 NGS Bolsters Excel Integration (New Release)

NGS recently enhanced its NGS-IQ software to improve Excel integration.

With version 7.2, users can now create and refresh Excel tables in named workbooks and sheets, facilitating seamless data analysis and visualization.

The update also includes new features for query developers and administrators, further enhancing the tool’s functionality and user experience.

⚙️ Automated Testing Solution for IBM i Applications

An end-to-end testing tool, ReplicTest by Polverini & Partners aims to streamline software testing on IBM i, automating various types of tests including unit, acceptance, regressing, security, integration, and stress testing.

ReplicTest simplifies test preparation and data management, while also integrating with Code Coverage for comprehensive testing insights.

With features like breaking down test datasets and load testing capabilities, ReplicTest offers a robust solution for IBM i shops seeking efficient and thorough software testing.

Learn how this tool works and how it can benefit your IBM i shop.

What does the RPGPGM.COM-unity mean to you? IBM i community pictures from recent events.

AI

🔒 IBM introduces AI-Powered Security Assistant

IBM unveils the IBM Consulting Cybersecurity Assistant (IBM’s watsonx technology), utilizing GenAI to help security professionals with tasks such as analyzing alerts and recommending actions, aiming to enhance security postures.

The tool cross-correlates data from various security devices and databases, providing proactive threat response capabilities and reducing manual investigations for analysts, ultimately improving security efficiencies.

The question is, is it safe to use automated cybersecurity using AI?

Strengthening cybersecurity currently requires human intervention. However, tasks such as system monitoring can be automated through AI. Automating the process will increase organizations’ threat intelligence capabilities and save them time in discovering new threats.

And yes,

using AI is safe because it is built on existing use cases in various business environments.

Should we still be cautious about AI, absolutely.

In fact, research papers have found that users may not trust systems whose decision processes they do not understand.

Career

📚 Migrating from COBOL to Modern RPG: A Guide

Here is one possible way to increase RPG talent.

In a world where technology constantly evolves, businesses are faced with the challenge of modernizing their legacy systems to stay competitive.

This promotional article explores the journey from COBOL to modern RPG, highlighting the benefits, challenges, and best practices involved in such a significant migration.

Takeaway: As we have touched on in previous issues, there is always a theme in the IBM i community where we tend to focus, “where do we find RPG developers” and we forget or neglect to see it from other perspectives.

I have seen many COBOL/400 shops move to Modern RPG, just like we have seen Synon shops move to RPG. (All of course on the IBM i (AS400) platform.)

So what about mainframe COBOL to RPG? **

Development

📈 IBM Releases Constant Standalone Fields to RPG

This spring, IBM added support for “Constant Standalone Fields” to RPG.

These fields, labeled with the CONST keyword, can only be initialized using the INZ (initialize) keyword and cannot be changed afterward.

This feature helps prevent accidental changes to critical variables whose values are set during program initialization. Additionally, these constant fields can be utilized for data structures, allowing for easy initialization from default values defined in external files or databases.

The new feature is available via PTF for IBM i 7.4 and 7.5.

You can find the PTF’s here.

🔍 Understanding IBM-i job QZDASOINIT

What does it do?

The QZDASOINIT job on IBM i systems handles incoming SQL requests from client applications like those using JDBC or ODBC connections.
It manages database connections efficiently and provides performance monitoring for administrators.

To limit the number of QZDASOINIT jobs, IBM i admins can adjust prestart job entry settings in the QUSRWRK subsystem, monitoring and adjusting as needed for optimal system performance.

Unlock the Power of Node.js: The Ultimate Toolbox for New and Experienced Developers 🧰

The Node.js Toolbox website is highly valuable for developers learning Node.js as it categorizes and lists popular, actively maintained open-source libraries in the Node.js ecosystem.

Who is it for?

It helps beginners and experienced developers find tools for various tasks like authentication, testing, logging, and more.

The site is regularly updated, and open to user suggestions.

Hiring

The Best Ways To Hire RPG Developers

There are any number of ways to hire RPG developers. As a recruitment firm specializing in the IBM i space, we specialize in IBM i succession planning and modernization serving our clients with Direct Hire and Consulting services. This is an ideal solution when a highly specialized IBM i resource is needed.

But there are situations where other solutions make more sense.

For example, when a company has a number of seasoned RPG developers on staff who can act as mentors, training RPG developers internally using the apprenticeship or fellowship approach makes a lot of sense.

🎓 Kisco Systems expands IBM i fellowship Kisco Systems announced the latest IBM i fellowship recipients from Oklahoma and Georgia, who will receive training and attend COMMON conferences. The program will expand to three recipients next year. Founded by Justin Loeber in 2021, the fellowship aims to develop IBM i skills outside the university setting.

Join

Contact us

If you are an RPG programmer looking to explore opportunities or a client who is looking for a talented IBM i professional, please contact us. We look forward to assisting you.

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