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Multi-Platform Development via RAD, VAGen EGL Plug-in VSE |
With availability of VisualAge Generator EGL plug-in VSE there evolved new Application Development (AD) opportunities for the VSE environment.
Based on IBM Rational Application Developer (RAD), an integrated development environment, it is possible to generate COBOL/VSE applications from a 4th generation language (4GL) that involve web architectures. The sections below will outline details for such an approach.
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Overview |
The interaction of workstation and VSE components allows the generation and deployment of COBOL/VSE back-end programs that are called from an Enterprise Generation Language (EGL) front-end (actually Java applications that are located on a Web Application Server and invoked from a Web browser).
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Benefits |
The possibility to concentrate on business processes is considered a key element in application development. The following list references some of the benefits and opportunities associated with using EGL.
- IBM Whitepaper (PDF, 185 KB) - "Exploiting Java with Enterprise Generation Language"
- Modern, flexible AD in coexistence with traditional VSE operating system(s) and its related, approved functionality. There is no need to take migration risks
- Supports development of platform-independent application solutions
- Complementary element to existent VSE e-business infrastructure, tools and application support on the host (e.g. VSE Connectors, VSE Redirector, VSE Navigator ...)
- Reproducible approach to build new web applications of similar nature (e.g. DB access from Java application)
- Special language skills are subordinate (COBOL, Java ...)
- Instead the focus is with the EGL-language and maintenance of build descriptors to generate code for specific target environments
- Coding and program maintenance is kept in EGL, not the generated program(s)
- Standard, relational interface to VSAM data (JDBC) enables new programs to integrate VSAM data in their business logic
- Data implementation types defined in EGL can be exchanged at later point of time, e.g. "indexedRecord" (VSAM KSDS) <-> "sqlRecord"
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Software prerequisites |
VisualAge Generator EGL Plug-in for VSE:
VSE Server:
- VisualAge Generator Server for VSE
- CICS Transaction Server
- TCP/IP
- COBOL/VSE compiler
- Language Environment for VSE/ESA
- DB2/VSE (optional - for data repository on VSE)
Workstation:
- DB2 UDB - Enterprise Server Edition (optional - for data repository on a workstation)
- IBM CICS Transaction Gateway (optional - for CICS access only)
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How to get started |
To get started the following could be of further interest.
IBM Rational Software Development Platform:
- The "Welcome" and "Help" sections provide a link to EGL sample applications
Related articles:
Major enabling tasks on VSE Server site:
- VisualAge Generator - CICS Resource Definitions - must be present.
In particular related TD-queues, files and transaction CPMI (TWASIZE=1024!)
- CICS system definition (SIT) and journal control (JCT) tables need to be tailored
- CICS Web Support (CWS) and External Call Interface (ECI) must be enabled
- Dependent on environment needs DB2/VSE batch & online might be required. In this case the related setup must be performed including key validation (IVALPKEY), online transactions (ISQL) and (CIRB) and sample DB "SQLDS" enablement
Major enabling tasks on the Workstation:
- Under Windows the service "Server" must be activated
- CICS Transaction Gateway: configuration of VSE target machine(s)
- Rational Application Developer - IDE:
- Define EGL projects/parts/build descriptors, user-/work areas, perspectives
- Create EGL & JSP files e.g. via Page Designer Tool
- As an alternative, import/customize existing project .zip files (project interchange/refresh)
- Check EGL templates in regard to desired COBOL/VSE code generation
- WAS V6 Server Configuration
- Resources, Adapter, Security ... in started mode via "Administration Console"
- Add/delete projects possible in "down" mode
- The setting "SOAP" is suitable for firewalls (instead of: "RMI")
- Properties -> Workbench -> Functions: "EGL Developer" profile should be activated (EGL Migration V6)
- Properties -> EGL -> SQL Retrieve "EGL Type char" is useful ("string" does not suit for COBOL generation)
- Import JAR files (e.g. for DB2 UDB drivers, VSE Connectors), names might be case-sensitive
- DB2 UDB Control Center: consider to maintain/synchronize DB2 tables (if using supplied sample databases on a workstation and VSE)
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Documentation |
References to related components (Workstation):
- VisualAge Generator EGL Plug-in VSE
- Rational Application Developer (RAD)
- Enterprise Generation Language (EGL)
- WebSphere Application Server (WAS)
- CICS Transaction Gateway (CTG) und External Call Interface (ECI)
- DB2 Universal Database (UDB)
References to related components (VSE Server)
- Language Environment for VSE/ESA
- VisualAge Generator VSE
- CICS Web Support (CWS)
- DB2/VSE (optional)
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