IBM Power for Google Cloud expansion in Canada, reasons to consider using React (complex UIs, SPAs, community support, ecosystem tools, mobile apps with React Native), REST APIs and DevOps insights for RPG developers, findings on application modernization confidence levels, and the importance of keeping IBM i platforms up‑to‑date.
Welcome to another edition of Talsco Weekly
- News: Converge Technology Solutions Corp. Announces New IBM Power for Google Cloud (IP4G) Regions in Canada.
- Open Source: When should you consider using React?
- Development: REST APIs, DevOps and CICD.
- Modernization: The Surprising Findings on Application Modernization Preparedness. The Future of the IBM i.
News
Converge Technology Solutions Corp. Announces New IBM Power for Google Cloud (IP4G) Regions in Canada "IT & Cloud Solutions provider is pleased to announce the expansion of IP4G in Canada for their IBM Power for Google Cloud (IP4G) offering." "IBM Power for Google Cloud, or IP4G, is a Google Cloud Marketplace offering that provides a self-service infrastructure-as-a-service solution for IBM Power Systems. IP4G supports workloads on any Power operating system, including AIX, IBM i, and Linux on Power, and brings expanded capabilities and new geographic options to enterprise customers migrating to Google Cloud."
Open Source
When should you consider using React? React is a popular front-end JavaScript library used for building user interfaces. Many in the IBM i community are using it for a variety of needs. As a developer, you might consider using React when: You need to build complex user interfaces: React is a great choice for building large and complex user interfaces. It provides a powerful and flexible programming model that allows you to create reusable UI components. You want to build a single-page application: React is particularly well-suited for building single-page applications (SPAs), which are web applications that load a single HTML page and dynamically update the content as the user interacts with the application. You want to work with a large and active community: React has a huge community of developers and contributors who actively contribute to its development and provide support through forums, blogs, and other resources. "And yes, they will welcome IBM i developers dipping their toes into React for the first time." You want to leverage a rich ecosystem of tools and libraries: React has a vibrant ecosystem of tools and libraries that can help you build, test, and deploy your applications more efficiently. Examples of popular tools and libraries include Redux, React Router, and Jest. You want to build mobile applications: React Native is a framework that allows you to build native mobile applications for both iOS and Android platforms using a single codebase. It uses JavaScript and provides a rich set of pre-built components and APIs to simplify the development process. Linked here is a quick article on some of the things to avoid when tackling your first React project. It will make learning React a lot smoother process.
Development
REST APIs, DevOps and CICD If you are an RPG Developer using APIs, chances are you are familiar with Scott Klement. Here is the latest iTalk Business with Tuohy, where "Scott Klement discusses the opportunity to "do-over" his signature REST API tool."
Modernization
The Surprising Findings on Application Modernization Preparedness If you are an IBM i shop looking to modernize you ERP or considering a migration to another platform and ERP system all together, you might want to read the linked report first. Overview: "The data reveals some surprising contradictions to common assumptions around modernization priorities and goals, as well as a disconnect between IT leaders' perception and the reality around overall readiness, the ability to secure legacy talent, and the selected technology capabilities." The report highlights a number of key findings. The one that I find most interesting is that there is a drop in confidence in the ability to modernize after the project starts. The report finds that:
- 70% of respondents are confident before the project starts
- 41% are confident in the planning stages
- 28% are confident once the project starts
The report also finds that the motivations to modernize differ between IT Teams and C-Suite. The Future of the IBM i "The IBM i is here to stay" provided you keep it up to date. Backward compatibility of the IBM i is a double-edged sword for the platform. While it allows IBM i shops to run 30-year old code on various versions of the OS and hardware, it's "not exactly a recipe for success in the digital age".
"Unfortunately, there are a number of IBM i shops that have not taken even the most basic steps forward into the 21st century. (It’s probably not even fair to call these “IBM i shops.” They’re more like “AS/400 shops,” perhaps even “S/38 shops.”) Should the actions (or non-actions) of these digital cavemen (and cavewomen) be allowed to define the IBM i in 2023?"
It's time to keep up to date. "We all know how great the IBM i can be, but all too often, it’s perceived as an over-the-hill platform." To avoid this, it is essential that the IBM i community of developers "upgrade their skills, tools, and technologies" to take full advantage of all that the IBM i platform has to offer.
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