IBM Java Toolbox for I implement WEB and smart mobile device invoke RPG

IBM Java Toolbox for I implement WEB and smart mobile device invoke RPG

The mainstream language of IBM I platform is RPG, its operation efficiency is very high. And Java as the mainstream of today's programming language, applications in the global 3 billion devices. How to continue reusing RPG applications with IBM I platforms without changing the business logic without recompiling is a key concern for Java application development. From a cross-language perspective, Web Service is undoubtedly a feasible universal implementation. But for developers who are familiar with the Java programming language, using IBM java Toolbox for I, it is no doubt more handy to implement a cross-language, Cross-platform invoke RPG application.

The structure of this paper is divided into three parts. First, briefly introduce IBM Java Toolbox for I and RPG related concepts and basics. Next, the article will combine two RPG samples about customer information queries, as shown in table 1, to instruct programmers how to use IBM Java Toolbox for I in Java applications to invoke RPG. The Java application here can be either a desktop client program, a web-based server-side program, or a mobile application based on mobile phones and tablets. The last part is the summary.

Introduction to IBM Java Toolbox for I tools

Simply put, IBM Java Toolbox for i is a Java class library that serves as a bridge between Java client programs and IBM I servers.

Introduction to RPG programming language

The full name of the RPG programming language is the report program generator, designed to generate "pin punch card" data reports on IBM's early servers, hence the name. As the most active programming language on the IBM I platform, RPG programs run efficiently compared to other advanced programming languages.

How the IBM Java Toolbox for I remote invoke RPG works

A working schematic diagram of a Java client application using IBM Java Toolbox for I to remotely invoke the IBM I platform RPG program. It is easy to see that IBM Java Toolbox for I is the go-between for bridging a Java client application and communicating with IBM I platform RPG programs.

From an object-oriented perspective, IBM Java Toolbox for I provides the following common related Java classes that support Java client applications to remotely invoke an IBM I platform based RPG program, as shown in table 2:

Accordingly, the related class diagram for the above IBM Java Toolbox for I remote invoke RPG.

Below, we combine Customer information Query RPG sample, take Programcall and Serviceprogramcall two scenarios for example, elaborated IBM Java Toolbox for i remote call IBM i platform RPG program working principle.