IBM i AI advancements, including RPG Code Assist and Spyre AI accelerator; Claude 3.5 Sonnet’s computer‑use capabilities; Node.js 23 updates and RPG/CL library retrieval; data‑value and DataOps challenges; hiring solutions for IBM i talent; leadership shifts for better management; open‑source “BOB” build system for IBM i.
Welcome to another edition of Talsco Weekly
- IBM i Brief: 🚀 RPG Code Assist: AI’s game-changer for IBM i. 🔄 IBM shifts to subscriptions, offers cloud migration.
- AI: 🖥️ The Next Step With Automated AI.
- Development: 🚀 Node.js 23 brings major updates. 💻 Retrieving program library in RPG and CL.
- Database: 🎥 Data Evolution: Adapt or Fall Behind.
- Hiring: 👥 Revolutionize Your IBM i Team: Unlock the Power of Expert Hiring and Flexible Consulting Services.
- Leadership: The 5 Inner Shifts To Become A Better Leader.
- Open Source: 🛠️ “BOB” for IBM i: A Demonstration by Edmund Reinhardt.
IBM i Brief
🚀 RPG Code Assist: AI’s game-changer for IBM i
IBM’s plan for integrating AI into Power Systems is taking shape with the “Spyre” AI accelerator set to revolutionize the IBM i platform. The standout feature is a commercial RPG code assist, leveraging a large language model fluent in free-form RPG. This development, alongside the potential use of Power10’s on-chip accelerators for RAG processing, marks a significant leap in AI-enhanced capabilities for IBM i environments.
It is beginning to look like IBM will be adding its “Spyre” AI accelerator, which was created by IBM Research and which is being productized, to the Power Systems line. And for IBM i shops at least, a commercial variant of the code assist for RPG – a large language model that understands and speaks good and fluent free-form RPG – looks like it will be a killer application. - IT Jungle
Learn more about Spyre AI here.
🔄 IBM shifts to subscriptions, offers cloud migration
IBM announced subscription models for PowerHA and Db2 Mirror, completing its transition from perpetual licenses.
A new offering.
IBM also unveiled ‘IBM i Migrate While Active’, a new product to facilitate seamless migration of IBM i installations to cloud environments like PowerVS. This service utilizes Db2 Mirror for data replication, allowing businesses to continue operations during migration with minimal downtime.
AI
🖥️ The Next Step With Automated AI
Claude 3.5 can now control computers.
Anthropic’s latest AI model, Claude 3.5 Sonnet, introduces “computer use” in public beta. This feature allows the AI to interact with computers like humans do - moving cursors, clicking buttons, and typing text.
While Microsoft, OpenAI, and Google (Gemini) have shown screen-based AI capabilities, Anthropic’s approach goes further by enabling direct computer control.
The feature is available via API for developers, though it’s still experimental (cumbersome and error-prone) and may improve over time.
IBM i & AI: Three Clear Use Cases
How does this relate to the IBM i and the enterprise?
Edmund Reinhardt at NAViGATE in Bonita Springs, FL gave a Strategy & Update session on the IBM i and AI.
He discussed three use cases that IBM is planning for with AI on the IBM i.
- Db2 Data Analytics
- Operations
- Developer Experience
Let’s look at operations.
Will the Operations use case, allowing for active monitoring/alerting and self-healing, resemble what Claude 3.5 Sonnet is looking to do?
🤔 This raises intriguing questions about the future of AI-powered operations in IBM i environments. While Claude 3.5 Sonnet’s capabilities are more general, IBM’s focus on specific use cases for the IBM i platform could lead to highly specialized and efficient AI-driven operations management.
🎥 Watch the demonstration video to see Claude 3.5 Sonnet in action.
Development
🚀 Node.js 23 brings major updates
IBM i shops are leveraging or thinking about using Node.js
The latest release of Node.js introduces significant changes, including default support for require(esm) in Node.js applications, removal of Windows 32-bit support, and stabilization of the node --run command.
The update also enhances the test runner with glob pattern support for coverage files, marking a substantial step forward for the popular JavaScript runtime.
Here are the rest of the updates for Node.js 23.0.0.
💻 Retrieving program library in RPG and CL
A Developer Question & Answer.
A question about identifying the library of a running program sparked a discussion on implementing this feature in both RPG and CL.
The challenge arose from a mixed-up library list causing the wrong program version to run.
The solution involves adding the program’s library to display files, enhancing version control and preventing errors. Fortunately, this can be achieved simply in both RPG and CL languages.
Find the detailed answer here.
👨💻 IBM aims to simplify enterprise Java.
IBM is working on making Java management and usage easier in enterprise environments. With Java’s recent resurgence, adding 8 million developers in the past two years, IBM recognizes its growing importance. The company hinted at its plans in a “statement of direction” announcement, responding to customer requests for improved Java solutions in the enterprise space.
What does this mean for the IBM i?
Many hope that
there is a native IBM i variant of it and not just a Linux LPAR running a Java stack. - IT Jungle
Other resources:
Languages native to the IBM i.
Current documentation for Java on the IBM i.
Database
🎥 Data Evolution: Adapt or Fall Behind
The value that is driven out of data is critical to the enterprise.
It is no longer just an IT issue but is also becoming a concern for the C-suite and operational success of the organization.
Here are some things to think about with regards to your enterprise data:
- Data value is critical for business success, becoming a C-suite concern beyond just IT
- The amount of technology and data is challenging to manage
- An Operational Model for data is needed in the industry
- Data pipelines and orchestration involve multiple platforms (cloud, data warehouses, data lakes, ERP, IoT, CRM)
- Challenges include the need for a single point of control and DataOps
- Gartner mentions 5 data engineering practices, including LLMOps, SecOps, DataOps, and DevOps
- The goal is to raw data into a useable form, instantly.
Takeaway:
There are unbelievable opportunities and challenges that lie ahead for the IBM i community.
Hiring
👥 Revolutionize Your IBM i Team: Unlock the Power of Expert Hiring and Flexible Consulting Services
In Talsco Weekly, we frequently discuss strategies for training and developing IBM i talent. However, the reality is that sometimes waiting for training isn’t feasible. In these situations, you may need to bring in outside expertise—and often, you need it quickly.
This is our expertise. Bring you the right talent, at the right time.
With over 25 years of expertise serving the IBM i market, we at Talsco, excel at delivering custom IBM i hiring solutions for your team.
IBM i Managers:
We help you find the IBM i developers that you need so you can sleep at night.
Our direct hire services are strategically crafted to assist in succession planning by connecting you with IBM i experts who can facilitate the transition and modernization of your legacy systems.
Additionally, explore our RPG Flex Hire, a versatile consulting service available for
- Part-time
- Short-term
- and Extended projects
No matter your needs, we’ve got you covered.
Schedule an introductory call today to learn more.
Leadership
The 5 Inner Shifts To Become A Better Leader
People are quick to blame external factors for their organizational challenges. Social media amplifies this tendency, creating an echo chamber of external blame that obscures the real, internal solutions.
There’s no quick-fix solution; the real transformation comes from within.
If you are looking to revitalize your IBM i shop, consider a new leadership paradigm.
The 5 Inner shifts to becoming a great leader:
- Awareness Precedes Change
- Emotional Intelligence Fosters Collaboration
- Mindfulness Cultivates Appreciation
- Self-Actualization Replaces Ego-Driven Behaviors
- Resilience Overcomes Avoidance
Read the full synopsis here.
Open Source
🛠️ “BOB” for IBM i: A Demonstration by Edmund Reinhardt
What is BOB, or “Better Object Builder”?
It is a Free open-source build system for IBM i. It was developed by S4i Systems to build native “QSYS” objects. IBM has invested in expanding BOB’s capabilities, and it’s now hosted on IBM’s public GitHub under the Apache 2.0 license. This allows the open-source community to contribute and benefit from this powerful tool for building IBM i software.
Here is a comprehensive demo, start to finish, of how to use BOB to compile source in VS Code; prepare a make file from scratch; and to use Source Orbit.
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