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Modern development on IBM i is now possible on Visual Studio Code including editing, compiling, debugging, accessing a database, source control, etc. Come learn about what the modern IBM i development tool stack looks like with Code for IBM i at its core and many more extensions!
8 AM
Introduction to the SQL Procedural Language
SQL includes a simple and powerful procedural language (SQL PL) that enables SQL to be used for business logic in addition to data access. This language is a great way for new developers to instantly contribute to your IBM i development efforts. this session will walk through the entire range of constructs provided by the SQL procedural extension from variable assignments to error handling.
8 AM
Let’s Explore WatsonX!
Abstract forthcoming
8 AM
Navigator for i - Top 10 Tips for Managing your systems
IBM Navigator for i is the web-based interface for accessing, managing, and monitoring all your IBM i nodes from one GUI interface. Attend this session for the most helpful tips and suggestions on using the latest enhancements in IBM Navigator for i - straight from the development team. This will include live demo. Bring your questions and ideas!
8 AM
What's new in RPG
Discussion of the new features added to RPG for 7.4 and 7.5 in the past 2 years.
8 AM
Why and How to read a Job log
When a job runs on IBM i it generates various status messages. When things go 'bump' the job issues additional messages. Where do those messages appear? Most of them appear in the job log, making the job log the 'go to' for identifying issues or determining status of the job.In this session we will review how to control the job log detail and disposition. We'll show you ways to read the job log. We'll also discuss the differences between active and completed jobs and give some thinking about dealing with a large number of job logs.
9:15 AM
An RPGer's Guide to VS Code for IBM i
These days RDi and Merlin aren't the only options for IBM i developers looking for an SEU alternative. If those IBM products aren't your cup of tea or are beyond your budget, there's a new free tool that you may find intriguing.In this session, Jon and Susan will introduce you to their explorations of the open-source extension to Visual Code Studio known as Code for IBM i. Come to see how to make the transition from the green screen to a powerful, expandable and more productive free alternative.Join Jon and Susan to see what all the hype is about and explore another modern way to develop RPG, CL, and COBOL code for IBM i applications.
9:15 AM
Get Going with Git on IBM i
Getting started with Git on the IBM i. Learn how to install and configure git on the IBM i, add an IBM i application source, and then make a change. All self contained on the IBM i! See other options on Power server.
9:15 AM
Introduction to the IBM i Navigator Performance Tasks
Navigator for i has a rich set of tools to help you understand the performance of your IBM i. This session will demonstrate how to use Navigator for traditional performance management tasks such as Active Jobs, System Monitors for real-time monitoring, the Performance Data Investigator to understand your performance signature, and Graph History for long-term trending.Attend this session to learn about all about the performance management features in Navigator.
9:15 AM
Planning a Smooth Move of your IBM i to the Cloud
Utilizing the cloud is can be a great option for IBM i customers. It sounds simple, and at it core it is! However, there are many items to consider for your organization to help determine if it's the right thing for you.There are, however, options on how to plan, execute, and validate the migration and these should be analyzed to find the best fit.In this session you'll gain a great overview of the reasons and the process for moving to a cloud.
9:15 AM
Recent additions to modern CL language
The CL programming language is under appreciated and is used by many as just a JCL. In the past few releases a lot has been added to CL that gives the IBM I programmer an alternative to doing everything with RPG or Cobol.
9:15 AM
SQL 101 Bullet Train
Hang on as we go from 0 to 300 MPH with SQL. We'll start out slow by covering the basics of creating tables, inserting, and selecting data. We pick up speed as we discuss Constraints, Join Types, and SQL Views. We will be going at full speed when we learn how to leverage Functions, Procedures, and Db2 Services! We will bring it all back to the station as we use all our SQL skills to build an example project that combines everything we've learned along the way.
9:15 AM
What's New in PowerHA
Learn through live demonstrations how to take advantage of all the exciting new enhancements in PowerHA with a focus around automation, simplification and integration.
10:30 AM
API Examples Using RPG, Node.js, PHP and Python
APIs allow IBM i to connect with other systems safely and securely, using the languages you already know. You will feel empowered to provide and consume APIs with the many examples given here, in RPG, PHP, Python, and Node.js (javascript), along with secure techniques and free tools that make API development easier.
10:30 AM
Building a Successful IFS Security Strategy
Ask any security professional which area of IBM i security is most often ignored and chances are the unanimous response is a chorus of “the Integrated File System.Many organizations are either unaware of the risks that an unsecured IFS poses or are simply unsure of how to secure it. Regardless of the reason, this is a problem. The system interface doesn’t differentiate how a user profile accesses data – which leaves sensitive data exposed and vulnerable to manipulation, malware, and even theft.
10:30 AM
Everything they never taught you!
Ok, maybe we're setting the bar a little high by saying EVERYTHING, but did you ever feel like all the people around you seem to just KNOW things, things you don't? Sure, you're a wiz with SQL, and no one codes RPG like you do, but when it comes to people skills, to working in teams, to communicating well, to building your career... Well, they never taught you THAT! Come to this session to learn everything you've been missing out on.
10:30 AM
Improving Software Quality via Development and Testing
Do you know all of the things you should be considering when writing and testing your software? In this session, testing expert Yvonne Enselman teams up with programming expert Scott Klement to discuss all of the things you should be considering when testing your software if you want to achieve the highest quality result.Although examples are provided in RPG, the concepts discussed in this session apply to software development in all environments.
10:30 AM
The New Administration Runtime Expert
The Administration Runtime Expert (ARE) is a web interface to help ensure consistent performance and deployment for any workforce running on your IBM i. ARE has now migrated into Navigator for i with a brand new interface. Join us to learn how ARE can help you and a live demo on how to use it.
10:30 AM
What's New in Db2 for i
In the tradition of previous Technology Refreshes (TR), the database team is delivering enhancements on the same cadence. Attend this session to hear about the many enhancements to SQL on i, SQL Query Engine, IBM i Services and more. This session will cover the new and enhanced Db2 for i capabilities added to IBM i 7.4 and IBM i 7.5 over the most recent IBM i Technology Refreshes. This session will include something for everyone and anyone who uses the IBM i. Resources: https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/1119129 and http://ibm.biz/Db2foriSQLTutor
10:30 AM
What’s New in Rational Developer for i
Rational Developer for i continues to add new features and enhancements! Learn about how the updates can help you be more productive.
1:30 PM
Audit Journaling made easy with Navigator for i
IBM Navigator for i has simplified the process for audit journal configuration and setup to just a few button clicks. This session will show you how to use the Navigator interface to set up audit journalling. Navigator can also make viewing and analyzing audit entries much easier. You will learn how to view the data in charts as well as easy-to-access tables. Finally, we will cover the new audit journal data mart which provides an efficient way to work with large numbers of audit journal entries. Get the most out of audit journalling today and learn how easy it is to use.
1:30 PM
Fundamentals - Processing and Creating JSON with RPG
If you are not yet processing and creating JSON in your RPG programs you soon will be! CSVs are so 20th century and JSON has left XML in the dust as a data interchange medium. But what is the "best" way for an RPG programmer to process JSON?There are two main options: RPG's native DATA-INTO and DATA-GEN combination, andSQL's JSON capabilitiesIn this session, Jon will focus on introducing you to the native DATA-xxx options.
1:30 PM
Generating JSON with SQL - SQL and JSON (Part 1)
JSON (JavaScript Online Notation) is a data exchange format like XML. However, JSON is simpler, less verbose and can be faster parsed than XML. In this way JSON becomes more and more important especially when data is exchanged by RESTful web services.The use of XML declines in favor of JSON.SQL on Db2 for i includes all kinds of scalar and aggregate functions for generating JSON objects, arrays, literals and for combining JSON components into complete documents.Since Release 7.5 TR 1 it is even possible to update/modify JSON documents. The focus of this session is to generate JSON documents.
1:30 PM
ILE: Procedures, Modules & SRVPGMs by Example
Note: This is a double session. To get the most from it, plan to attend both parts.For RPGers, ILE brings with it procedures, modules, service programs, binding directories and binder language - it can get confusing!In this interactive session, Susan will take her life in her hands by walking through a live step-by-step demo of some of those topics. In the process, we'll discover some of the problems that can occur - how they show themselves and how to fix or avoid them.Our roadmap includes the following steps:Creating a (very) simple RPG procedure in a moduleHow (and why) to put that module into a service programUsing a binding directory to simplify creating programs that use our procedureAdd a new procedure to the same module and service programGuidelines for testing procedures in service programsMaintaining the service program over time & avoid signature violationsTo get the most from this session, it would be helpful if you're already familiar with the basic syntax of RPG procedures (aka subprocedures) and if you know a bit about what modules and service programs are.
1:30 PM
Intro to IBM i Security
New to the IBM i platform? Or just want to brush up on your security skills? This session will cover the basics of how to properly secure your IBM i system, users, and objects.
1:30 PM
Open Source Always Wins. Let's Talk about it
Open source wins. It always wins. There's no fighting it. There's no denying it. But, it's important to understand "why" open source is such a disruptor and how you can tailor your IT strategy around its predictable wins.
1:30 PM
SQL Coding Tips and Techniques
SQL is a very powerful language for processing data. There are many ways to write SQL statements to get the desired results. However, not all queries are created equal. This session will compare different ways to approach a problem from an SQL perspective in terms of code maintenance and performance. Taking the right approach for writing SQL helps Db2 for i help you.
1:30 PM
Step by Step with Merlin
Get your own Merlin instance setup from an IBM TechZone environment including an IBM i! See how to create projects and users, run playbooks, define connections, start the development environment, clone a git repository and connect to an IBM i.
2:45 PM
Consuming JSON and Web-Services with SQL - SQL and JSON (Part 2)
JSON becomes more and more important escpecially in RESTFul web services. The use of XML declines in favor of JSON.With the JSON_TABLE table function JSON documents can be parsed, converted into a relational representation and data picked specifically out.Additional scalar functions allow SQL to directly access JSON documents located within the IFS (Integrated File System) or in source physical file members.Last but not least IBM provides SQL functions for getting access to web services. In composition with the JSON_TABLE function the JSON responses returned by web services can be consumed.
2:45 PM
How Refactoring Helps Bulletproof Your Application
Old program code creates technical debt and makes it difficult to maintain robust applications. In this session, we will discuss what refactoring is and how it is important to creating applications that are robust and "bulletproof." We will show an example of rewriting an old monolithic program in a new modular style, and explain the different aspects of it and how it allows for better testing and quality assurance.This is a joint session between programming expert Scott Klement and software testing expert Yvonne Enselman, allowing you to see refactoring from both a tester and programmer perspective.Although some RPG examples are provided, the concepts apply to any software coded in any environment.
2:45 PM
Looking at your data from a different View point
Simon will explain how building SQL Views should become a part of your development strategy. He will give examples of the common ways he builds and uses Views to make his own and that of his team easier and simpler. Why do the hard work yourself when something else can do it for you?
2:45 PM
Managing IBM i Fix Information (PTFs)
Just like your car or your house, ignoring maintenance puts you in dept. Don't let the debt get so large that you struggle to pay it off!In this session we will discuss recent IBM changed from PTFs to 'Fix Information' and APARs to 'Known Issues'. We'll make the connection snd show you where things are changing and importantly where they are not. We'll discuss what fixes are, what they do, how to get them, and how to update IBM i. We'll also discuss how to find out if your IBM i has out of date or even defective PTFs. We'll also help you determine what PTF strategy is the one for you and your system.
Learn to think like a spy! Many shops use journaling for a variety of reasons, but may not be familiar with how to use these journals for forensic purposes. Mining your journals for the who, what, when, where, how - and sometimes even why - can be very useful, not to mention fun! Come join us for a lighthearted and entertaining "Mission: Impossible" themed look at one of the most useful things you can do with your journals. This session will introduce journaling concepts and share tuning tips to optimize your journal environment for forensics. After reviewing the "old fashioned" way to dig into your journals, we will demonstrate how much easier this is with the right tools. The DMPJRN and CVTJRNDTA commands used in this presentation will be made available as a free download to all attendees, including source code!
2:45 PM
React: Intro to building a front end
In this introduction to the React front-end framework we will incrementally build a web application. We will cover everything from setting up the development environment to deployment. We will crawl, walk, then run; we start with hard-coded data and a simple list, add images and local files, add multiple components and pages, keep track of application state as we add filters, fetch data from web services, and deploy the finished application to IBM i.
4 PM
Apache Kafka: Why and How?
In the session "Apache Kafka: Why and How?" we will delve into the transformative benefits Apache Kafka brings to enterprise integration activities. As a distributed streaming platform, Kafka excels at handling real-time data feeds, making it an invaluable tool for organizations seeking to streamline data pipelines and enhance operational efficiency. This session will explore the key advantages of Kafka, including its scalability, fault-tolerance, and high-throughput capabilities, which make it ideal for handling vast amounts of data across various applications.Participants will gain insights into different integration strategies, learning how to seamlessly connect classic software stacks with Kafka. From legacy systems to modern microservices, we will cover best practices and practical examples to ensure a smooth and effective integration process. Whether you're a data architect, developer, or IT manager, this session will provide the knowledge and tools needed to leverage Apache Kafka for robust, real-time data integration in your enterprise. Join us to discover why Kafka is the go-to solution for enterprise data streaming and learn how to harness its full potential in your organization.
4 PM
Best Practices in Writing Modern RPG
Discussion of some best practices for writing modern and robust RPG code.
4 PM
Db2 for i Inside of VS Code
VS Code is really built with developers in mind. IBM has been building a neat Visual Studio Code extensions that makes accessing and working with the database much simpler for developers. Not only can VS Code be used for writing in many different languages, but now it has great tools for working with Db2 for i. You might see exporting data, working with examples, browsing your schemas, or even managing multiple database configurations. There's a lot to see!
4 PM
IBM i Navigator an Administrators View
IBM Navigator for i is the web based interface for accessing, managing, and monitoring your IBM i. A brand new versions has been released. This session will look at how to get started, how to best leverage this interface for one users or an entire company. We will look at some of the administrative features added to New Nav to help with rolling this out to many users. This include how to set up TLS for you connections and how to limit select users from working with areas within the interface, and some key function that an admin will for sure find useful.
4 PM
Merlin and Modern Development for IBM i
Application Modernization on IBM i has been a topic of discussion for years. Moving forward into the modern world can be a daunting task. Merlin was created to help. Leveraging Git and a Modern secure browser based IDE, Merlin is a ecosystem provided by IBM to help our IBM i application developers move toward a modern development world. This session will review what is 'Modern', how Merlin helps, and we will include some live demos to help you understand the value and benefits.
4 PM
Temporal Tables - Looking back into your data's past
We all work in environments where data is changing, often rapidly. At times it would be nice to know what the data looked like an hour, a day, or even a week ago. With conventional files and tables this is hard, that might even involve restoring data from journals. SQL Temporal Tables alleviates all of that work. They allow you to view the data as it was at any time, and allows many people to view the data at different times all at the same time.
4 PM
Turn up the Power: External Disk and Hardware Replication on i... A Case Study!
Your IBM i does a great job of managing internal disk, so why upgrade to external storage using a SAN? Your replication software may require some extra time and attention, but it gets the job done - so why change? Turns out there are lots of reasons to change both! This won't be a nuts and bolts how-to session. Rather it will be a case study of the decisions made by one large appliance and electronics retailer to implement these technologies, including the considerations, decisions, trade-offs, and benefits. You may not leave this session knowing how to do it, but you'll understand why you might want to, and you'll be ready to ask many of the right questions to get you there.
4 PM
Web & API Language Shootout
Alan will compare and review several open source languages commonly used for web-related development and the role of RPG alongside them. Languages include PHP, Python, and Node.js (javascript). The session contains concrete information about each as well as a lively discussion.
11/05
7:30 AM
Beyond the Basics - Processing and Creating JSON with RPG
This session is a follow-on to the "Fundamentals - Processing and Creating JSON with RPG" session.This time Jon will be digging into more advanced features such as: Handling JSON names that don't directly map to RPG namesHandling large JSON documents in piecesDealing with optional elementsIn addition, Jon will discuss some of the limitations of the DATA-xxx support and discuss possible alternatives.
7:30 AM
Command Jeopardy
The IBM i operating system includes hundreds of commands that we use every day. Everything you type on a command line is a command! But did you know that you can create commands of your very own? Commands that can save you valuable time? Commands that can be used as building blocks to make program development more efficient? Come to this session to learn how - and to have some fun! We'll start with the basics for those who've never created a command, and then proceed through more advanced topics such ELEM & QUAL, validation using DEP, error handling, help text in panel groups, and more. We'll look at a number of useful examples of custom commands, and you'll even leave with free source code you can use as is, or leverage as a starting point for your own commands. We'll reinforce the concepts we learn by playing Command Jeopardy... for prizes! Learn some great techniques, have some fun, and maybe leave with a prize!
7:30 AM
Options for Consuming REST APIs from RPG
REST APIs have become a crucial technology for people writing business applications in all environments, and RPG on IBM i is no exception. In this session, Scott will explain what a REST API is, and how you can call them using free tools from your RPG program. Three different free options for calling them will be discussed, compared and contrasted.
7:30 AM
PHP Best practices and New and Exciting Updates on IBM i
PHP is moving fast these days. In this session, Alan will share his favorite techniques for creatig APIs and web apps with PHP, plus introduce new PHP 8.3 features and how to prepare for them. Alan will also cover tips on upgrading from older releases, the risks of not upgrading, recent security enhancements, and best practices for PHP on IBM i. As a bonus, Alan offers an inside peek at how PHP is made and built.
7:30 AM
SQL and the IFS
SQL is great for accessing data located in a relational database. But in a modern world it is also necessary to consume data that is located in the IFS (Integrated File System) or provided by web servicesWith each Technology Refresh IBM introduces and enhances Db2 for i Services. With Release 7.4 Technology Refresh 3 IBM provides new SQL Stored Procedures for reading data from and writing Data into the IFS.In composition with other SQL Functions it is easy to scan through IFS files or decompose *.csv files or JSON files or XML documents located in the IFS.
7:30 AM
Using SQL to help keep your system clean
Have you recently taken over responsibility for a LPAR? Or are you concerned there is too much “rubbish” on your systems? Use these techniques to identify the most common wastes of space you have, & plan your cleanup efforts.
7:30 AM
Web Services: A RESTful introduction
We'll introduce the basics of web services, with a focus on HTTP, JSON, and RESTful principles. This session focuses on the basic principles and architecture of web services, and will also have some examples of how to consume and provide web services from IBM i.
7:30 AM
What is an LLM? (hint: AI)
Abstract forthcoming
8:45 AM
Care and Feeding of IBM i.
IBM i and IBM Power Systems combine to deliver a fabulously reliable environment. The operating system has rich work management capability and strong error reporting. Despite that you shouldn't ignore it or you will eventually find yourself dealing with something serious. In this session we'll cover the things you need to watch and understand allowing you to deal with them before they become serious issues.
8:45 AM
Install Merlin on Red Hat OpenShift
Learn how you can deploy Red Hat OpenShift cluster on premise or on the cloud. Then see how to install Merlin on the cluster and discover the resource requirements for Merlin on cluster.
8:45 AM
Use Service Commander to manage ALL your stuff
So many different kinds of jobs run on IBM i. Node.js, RPG, Java, COBOL, Python.... All of them are managed in different ways, and that can get really frustrating, really quickly! Thankfully, there's an open source tool, Service Commander, that can simplify the management of all these IBM i jobs!
8:45 AM
What's the Right Tool for Looking at Performance Issues
The IBM i operating system has several different tools to collect data for performance analysis. In this session, you will learn when and how to use the following tools: Collection Services, Job Watcher, Disk Watcher, and Monitors. You will also learn best practices for collecting performance data with Collection Services and System Monitors. I will cover why you may want to adjust the Collection Services configuration settings for your performance analysis or trending needs. I will demonstrate configuration for System and Message Monitors and how to use the Performance Data Investigator (PDI) visualization tool to view System Monitor data.
8:45 AM
Yes, i Can: Integrating AI with RPG
Artificial Intelligence is rapidly transforming how we develop and interact with software systems. This technology can add significant new features to our existing RPG applications through AI processing, and it can improve development productivity by rapidly generating new application code. This session will show you how to use AI capabilities to generate new IBM i code and directly access AI engines from your trusted IBM i applications using tools you likely already have. We'll walk through a real-world use case of enabling text messaging for order updates, using natural language processing to understand customer intents. You'll learn how to set up a communication channel for sending and receiving text messages, interact with AI language models to interpret messages, and update your RPG programs accordingly. See how injecting AI can modernize your applications with innovative user experiences.
10 AM
Forget ODBC! Here’s a New Db2 Connector
Connecting to Db2 has never been easier or more efficient. Join us for an in-depth session on a powerful open-source library designed to simplify and enhance your Db2 database interactions. This library offers a more straightforward alternative to traditional JDBC or ODBC connections, ensuring developers can achieve optimal performance and scalability without the usual complexity. With support for multiple programming languages, including Java, JavaScript, Python, and PHP, this versatile library meets the needs of diverse development environments. Attendees will gain insights into its architecture, see practical demonstrations, and learn best practices for integrating it into their projects.
10 AM
Hidden Gems in RDi
As a long-time RDi user, Susan will cover some of her favorite RDi features. Many of these features are often overlooked by new - and even experienced - RDi users. A few examples include: - How RDi answers the question "Where am I?",- Why Object Table can be your best friend- Under-utilized RPG editor navigation features- Customization tips And many more. If you're an RDi user, join Susan to see if you may have missed something useful - and bring your own favorite hidden gems to share. If you're not an RDi user, you may find some reasons to give it a try.
10 AM
Let's Learn Linux!
Linux, AIX, UNIX - we hear about them everywhere these days. But what does it all mean? Linux skills are important to everyone working in the technology field. The days of running everything on just one platform are behind us, so it's important to be familiar with Linux. But you probably don't have a spare Linux server sitting around, just waiting for you tinker with, right? Well, you don't need one! Can you replace Windows with Linux? Even if you can, should you? What are the advantages and disadvantages? How do you get, install, and use Linux? Is it really all free? What can you do with a Linux command line, and is it really as powerful as you've heard? Attend this session to learn the answers to these questions and much more. See step by step instructions for safely installing Linux on your PC while still running Windows or Mac OS! We'll cover a number of powerful commands that can be executed from a Linux environment on your PC, within Windows 10, your X86 servers, or even on your IBM i!
10 AM
Panning for Performance Gold with Visual Explain
Analyzing your database environment can provide significant performance riches, provided you have the right tools for the job. Visual Explain fits the bill, but learning to understand Visual Explain diagrams can be overwhelming and difficult. This session provides an introductory look into how to read and analyze your Visual Explain diagrams to find SQL performance gold.
10 AM
Providing RPG REST APIs on IBM i
REST APIs are a crucial technology for business programmers in all environments, including RPG on IBM i. This session describes how to provide your own REST APIs in RPG that can be called from any language or environment. This will allow you to write efficient and secure methods of communication between programs. Sample programs are included and explained.
10 AM
Streamline your SQL Routines
The SQL procedural language makes it easy to create your business logic in stored procedures, triggers, and user-defined functions. Each of these routines have options that performance, but most programmers usually take the default option values without giving any thought to their impact.
10 AM
Understand Your Performance Signature
IBM i often runs well with little or no focus on the performance of the system. But what if something unexpected does occur? If you understand the performance signature of your system when it is running well, it becomes much easier to identify problems if something goes wrong. This session will show you how to use the Performance Data Investigator to understand your day-to-day performance signature, as well as Graph History to understand long-term trends over weeks, months, and years.
1 PM
Clean up your i
How much disk storage do you have on your system? The most common answer is 'not enough!' Attend this session and find out where all that space went, what you can clean up, and what should be left alone. Learn about ways to report and find disk usage as well as understanding how you use it. Develop a deeper understanding of the tools IBM has built into IBM i, ESPECIALLY SQL Tools, and how to leverage them to help keep your system clean. Walk away with a solid understanding of how to clean up your disk space, manage your IFS, and reorganize your files.
1 PM
Modern Development using Intelligent Buildable Projects with IBM i Project Explorer and BOB
Modern development on the IBM i uses stream files which allows the use of the modern application development technology. Learn how to migrate your source from the QSYS file system and manage it with Git, develop it with VS Code extensions in projects that understand how to build themselves. This will introduce you to the IBM i Project Explorer and BOB (Better Object Builder).
1 PM
Rapid Fire Admin
This overflowing session is designed to help ensure every IBM i administrator and operator has at least a backpack full of valuable tips for when they return home. From command line to shell to IBM Navigator for i, Steve will sprint through these tips at a pace of at least two tips per minute, for at least 150 tips!This session is updated every quarter with new and relevant information so that you don't miss good foundational tips but are keeping up with what updates IBM is releasing on a regular basis.
1 PM
Single Sign On Overview
Wouldn’t it be nice to have just one password? It may be possible using Single Sign On. In this overview level session, we will discuss how the process works. We will cover the steps to setup an IBM i in an existing Windows Environment. Finally, the session will provide some pain points and best practices to consider before implementing Single Sign On. Time and systems permitting, a live demo of the setup and usage will conclude the session.
Have you ever been faced with “strange” SQL Errors or SQL Errors that were not trapped but simply ignored? How to find those problems?SQL Performance Monitors can help, at least if you know where to start, i.e. which job, which program caused the problems. But SQL Performance Monitors come with significant overheads, just by gathering everything.SELF is an additional tool for finding understanding and fixing SQL Errors and Warnings. SELF can be started without modifying any programs and can safely run in production.This session will show what are the components of SELF and how to use them.
1 PM
The Power of Performance Tasks in Navigator for i
IBM Navigator for i has a variety of tools to analyze and manage the performance of your systems. Attend this session to learn how to maximize your performance knowledge with these tools
Best practices for Collection Services Configuration
System Monitors for real-time monitoring
Visualizing system performance using Performance Data Investigator (PDI)
Graph History to view long-term performance trends
1 PM
Under the Hood – A Deep Dive into the SQL Query Engine
The SQL Query Engine (SQE) powers (nearly) every query that executes on your system. Since its introduction, SQE has been continually improved to create more efficient access plans, but these inner workings are rarely understood. In this session, Ryan will give audience members a rare peek under the hood of the engine that powers Db2 for i.
2:15 PM
Build a Watson AI Chatbot from Db2
Abstract Forthcoming
2:15 PM
Choosing the right HA/DR Solution
The High Availability and Disaster Recovery landscape is continually evolving with new technologies both on-premis and in the cloud dedicated to ensuring your business stays running. Navigating through these technologies requires and understanding of business needs, and outage protection goals.Throughout this session we will discuss the types of outages, and the technologies available to protect against those types of outages in order to help you make decisions to map out your HA and DR journey. This session will give a brief overview of a number of technologies including: Db2 Mirror, Live Partition Mobility, Logical/Software based Replication, Full System Replication, and PowerHA technologies.
2:15 PM
Ransomware and IBM i
Today, there are no known ransomware viruses that run directly on IBM i. However, that does not mean that the IBM i is not at risk. In this practical session, you will learn how to keep your IBM i system safe from Ransomware attacks. Don't miss this critical session!
2:15 PM
Revving up SQL Performance with Indexes
One of the most important things needed to improve SQL performance is to have the proper indexing over tables, especially as table grow in size. Indexes are so important that the database provides index advice for assistance. However, advice is no substitute for knowledge and proper understanding of indexes. As with all advice, it must be reviewed and good judgment applied on when to create them.
2:15 PM
The Awesomeness of Service Programs (and the truth about binder source)
Learn why service programs are so awesome. We will weigh the pros and cons of different options we have for creating shared routines. We’ll learn how to create a service program and how easy it is to use these shared procedures in our applications. We will discuss the importance of binder source and how using it can make updating our service programs painless.
2:15 PM
UNIXCMD- Integrating RPG with Open Source
Using the open source languages (PHP, Ruby, Node.js, Python, amongst others) has become a commonplace activity on IBM i. But what if you want to call these utilities from ILE RPG or CL programs? How will you call them when they're in a completely different environment on the system?In this session, Scott introduces an open source (FREE) tool called UNIXCMD that is designed to make it easy to call software in the PASE or QShell environment from RPG or CL programs, and demonstrates how to use it.
3:30 PM
Automating Builds in Git on IBM i
Discover how you can leverage new open source tools to manage IBM i source code and automate builds easily in Git. Learn about how objects get built when developing locally and during an automated build as well as how build systems can detect dependencies in your code. This will introduce you to what build tools are available (GitHub Actions, GitLab CICD, etc) to work with IBM i and how you can get started.
3:30 PM
Give me an hour, and I'll give you a week!
"Hey, do you have a minute?" We're asked that question many times every day, and while we say yes, the sad answer is... NO! Our lives and our careers are busier than ever. Feel like you're barely keeping your head above water at work? You're not alone. We struggle to keep up with the demands of our careers while retaining some semblance of balance between work and personal time. Come to this session and learn the life hacks you need to supercharge your productivity! By the end of the session you'll have the tools to save over 168 hours - that's one full week - every year! What will you do with all that extra time?
3:30 PM
Live Demo: Deploying PowerHA and Independent ASPs
See how to go from a single system, to a fully deployed PowerHA environment using IBM FlashSystems Asynchronous Policy-Based Replication technology. We begin the journey by creating an Independent Auxiliary Storage Pool (IASP) along with techniques for migrating your application into the IASP. We will be doing a live role swap by the end of the hour.
3:30 PM
Machine Learning ‘soup to nuts’
Follow the speaker's journey to build an AI application that does real-time fraud detection. In this session, we will start with nothing more than historical data in a database. We'll go through the entire process of ingesting the data, training a model, and finally deploying an inferencing pipeline using Kubeflow, KServe, and other open source tools.
3:30 PM
Maximizing the benefits of embedding SQL in your RPG code
Many people are now integrating SQL into RPG programs & procedures. Simon will give practical examples of how you can optimize the performance of your statements & simply diagnose the feedback returned from Db2. Will include mentions of how using Views enhances this optimization process.
3:30 PM
RPG Arrays for Today
Arrays may be the most neglected tool in the RPG programmer's toolbox. Hardly surprising considering how pathetic RPG's array support was for so many years.But things have changed. Today RPG's arrays are "all grown up". Many new capabilities and array-oriented operations have been added to the language.During this session, Jon will begin by reviewing the "new basics": Data Structure ArraysMulti-dimensional arraysSorting and searching arraysMulti-key array sortingBefore moving on to discuss: The new FOR-EACH opcode and the IN operatorSupport for dynamically sized arraysUsing dynamic arrays with SQLNew array-oriented BIFs such as %LIST, %SPLIT, %MAXARR and %MINARR
3:30 PM
Squash bugs using VS Code-based debugger
Debug IBM i applications in batch mode or service entry point (SEP) using VSCode-based tools.
11/06
7:30 AM
Finding and Analyzing Expensive and Error Prone Queries
Understanding and managing your SQL workload can be a challenging task without the right tools and knowledge. In this session, you will be introduced to the wide variety of tools available to the database engineer to find, analyze, and tune expensive SQL queries, including the SQL Error Logging Facility (SELF).
7:30 AM
IBM i Security Best Practices
While the IBM i is an extremely secure system, there are still a variety of attack vectors that can result from administrative mistakes that can cause a breach. In this session, we will review many of the common issues and configuration errors we have seen time and again with our IBM i customers. If you are a system administrator or security officer, this session is a must attend!
7:30 AM
My Favorite things about RPG
15 of my favorite things about RPG some you might know about, some you might not.
7:30 AM
OLAP (Online Analytica Processing) Specifications - Much more than running Numbers
The first OLAP Functions were already introduced with Release 6.1, for building running numbers and ranks, in a specific sequence and even with the ability to restart numbering at a predefined level.At release 7.3 a bunch of additional OLAP functions and enhancements for existing OLAP functions are introduced. With these enhancements it is possible to access a previous or subsequent row. It is easy build running totals or averages with or without level breaks. Data cannot only be accumulated over all rows, but also within a specific range. It is easy to return the first, previous, next or last occurrence of the data within a partition or range. This session will give you an overview over the available OLAP functions and how they can be exploited.
7:30 AM
Processing Geospatial Data with Db2 for i
Geospatial data is used to represent locations (e.g., warehouses) and objects (e.g., shipping zones) that occur on the surface of the earth. The Db2 for i Geospatial support allows you to not only store geospatial data representing real location in your database, but to also compare and analyze relationships between geospatial objects.
7:30 AM
Using CODECOV to generate code coverage results on the host
Describe how to use the CODECOV command to generate code coverage reports on the host.
8:45 AM
AI and IBM i: tying the worlds together
AI has become an unstoppable and unavoidable force in the industry. When you integrate IBM i with a powerful AI stack, the potential is indescribable! In this session, we will learn about some key AI technologies and explore a couple techniques for integrating IBM i with them.
8:45 AM
Build on the command line with BOB
BOB (Better Object Builder) allows an intelligent build based on make that builds all and only those objects whose source has changed. Learn how to configure these intelligent projects and build them using only the command line. This can be very helpful for build pipelines for DevOps and for those who only want to use an ssh terminal to access the IBM i.
8:45 AM
Live Demo of the New IBM Navigator for i
The IBM Navigator has been around for a very long time, the good news, a brand new version has just been delivered that re-images Navigator from the ground up. Really, the only thing that the same is the Title. The User interaction, tables, data , architecture, is all completely new and is leveraging the very latest in modern technology. As the title says... we will explore many of the new aspects of the IBM Navigator via a live demo.
8:45 AM
Managing the startup and shutdown of IBM i
In days gone by the IBM supplied program QSTRUP combined with a couple options on CHGIPLA was good enough for most IBM i shops. It started what seemed to be needed and anything else we stumbled through after each IPL. When it was time to shut down a PWRDWNSYS or ENDSBS command took down whatever was running. We were happy. Today though we often see dozens of subsytems running many web servers, other needed batch jobs and services. We see monitors and queue processing jobs and many writers. For security purposes we should be starting only the TCP servers that we need, not all of them. Likely we should not start IPV6 and start things in sequence as well. Further considerations may be needed in an HA environment. These include not starting jobs until iASPS are available and starting different IP interfaces and services depending on production or backup mode of the server. We may want to handle special startup modes while doing PTFs, backups or other system maintenance. In this session we will work with customizing that startup. We'll discuss staring PASE jobs with QSH, web server jobs and more. Finally we will also work with sequencing the shutdown of the system. As part of this we'll discuss some simple ways to know what needs to be shut down and smoothly handling that.
8:45 AM
Snapshots, FlashCopy & Cybersecurity Resliliency with Safeguarded Copy
If you’re using external storage in your IBM i environment without taking advantage of Snapshots or FlashCopy, we have one question for you: Why not? Get an overview of how the technology works, the types of Snapshot and FlashCopy options available, and how it can be used in environments with or without independent ASPs.In addition, learn how IBM's Safeguarded Copy extends this technology to provide another layer of cybersecurity resiliency.
8:45 AM
SQL Plan Cache Uncovered
This session explains how the SQL Plan Cache is used by Db2 for i to support the execution of your SQL & non-SQL queries. In addition, you'll learn about the various Plan Cache related tools & services that you can leverage to identify and remedy query performance problems.
8:45 AM
Test-Driven Development: Clean Code that Works
Let's take a look at how testing is often done today, and why it's so hard. We'll discuss the benefits of test-driven development, and show how it works. We'll look at the xUnit frameworks available, and do a little test-driven development together.
8:45 AM
Tricks with spool files using SQL
In the past few releases and TRs IBM has introduced a number of SQL views and table functions that allow anyone to do things to spool files that they would have had to use APIs or complex programming. Become the superstar at your company with the knowledge on how to do all of this with just a few SQL statements.
10 AM
Accelerate your SQL Queries with SMP
With Symmetric Multiprocessing (SMP) now available as a no-charge feature in IBM i, you've gained access to a powerful feature that can significantly improve the speed of query execution. However, SMP must be approached carefully, as improper usage may produce lackluster results. This session will cover the inner workings of SMP, when to utilize SMP, and tools for controlling system-wide SMP usage.
10 AM
Commitment Control - Transaction Control
In applications multiple steps have to be consolidated and executed as a unit (Transaction). That means either all steps or none of the steps must be performed. Example: an order has to be completely delivered or not at all.No problem if everything is okay, but what if there is suddenly not enough inventory for one position?Everything has to be reset … and this can become tricky, because multiple programs were executed, multiple rows in different tables were updated and may be even constraints or triggers were activated.The solution is Commitment Control. Even though Commitment Control is not new, it is only rarely used in (traditional) IBM i applications. … but it is essential for keeping data consistent, especially when using techniques such as referential integrities and triggers.… and it is even for traditional applications important.… so, it is time to start!
10 AM
Integrating Open Source on IBM i: Advanced Topics and Optimization
When your business grows, and you need speed and scalability, how do you find the best mix of open source technology and the integrated capabilities of IBM i? Learn from our years of experience in how to optimize scalability and performance with open source and traditional IBM i programs and capabilities (RPG, COBOL, Db2 etc). Impress your company with the most efficient techniques while avoiding rookie mistakes.
10 AM
Live Demo: Managing PowerHA Solutions
PowerHA provides complete high availability (HA) solutions for IBM i customers with both internal storage and external storage environments. This interactive demo session will explain the concepts required to manage PowerHA environments, as well as give live demonstrations of the key management tasks used in a PowerHA environment.
10 AM
Making my RPG application Universally Understood
This session is about writing RPG programs that can "travel" to anywhere in the world.
10 AM
What RPG Prototypes Can Do for You
Everyone using free-format RPG knows the basics of using prototypes to replace their old parm lists for program calls. However, many overlook just how much prototypes could do for them. In this session, Susan reviews prototype basics but will concentrate mostly on exploiting their often-overlooked features. Did you know that prototypes:Protect against parameter mis-matchesProvide automatic conversion of parameter types and sizesEnable passing literals, built-in functions or function calls as parametersAllow you to specify optional parametersEnable you to call C functions and system APIs that return valuesShe'll include a look at more recent enhancements that can simplify prototypes. If you haven't used *Convert, *Exact and %Passed, come here to see examples of the impact they could have on your code. You'll pick up some best practices for exploiting these features, including examples of the right way for called programs (or procedures) to safely handle optional parameters.
10 AM
Working with Legacy Code: Refactoring and Restructuring
Our legacy code has been running the business for decades and represents a tremendous amount of business knowledge. It can also be terribly difficult to understand and downright scary to work on. In this session we'll discuss how our code got in the shape it's in and look at some techniques we can use to make our legacy code more testable, understandable, and maintainable.
Modern development on IBM i is now possible on Visual Studio Code including editing, compiling, debugging, accessing a database, source control, etc. Come learn about what the modern IBM i development ...
SQL includes a simple and powerful procedural language (SQL PL) that enables SQL to be used for business logic in addition to data access. This language is a great way for new developers to instantly ...
IBM Navigator for i is the web-based interface for accessing, managing, and monitoring all your IBM i nodes from one GUI interface. Attend this session for the most helpful tips and suggestions on using ...