NEUGC - 2022: Full Schedule

3:30pm EDT

DEEP DIVE: Python Half Day Hands-on Workshop

Python is a language that has been perceived as infrastructure or plumbing in the IT department, much like CL. While this is an excellent use for Python, it has emerged as a strategic language for application development, too. In this workshop, we’ll explore the implementation, syntax, and application use cases of Python on IBM i. From a fundamentals perspective, you will get hands-on experience using the command line, shell environment, script creation, storage, and execution. As we progress through the workshop, we will delve into Db2 data access and program calls using XML Service as well as a brief tour of frameworks. Then we’ll wrap things up with how open source applications built in Python can add value to your IT environment.

This session requires little to no previous experience in Python and is specifically tuned for IBM i programmers.

Speakers

Mike Pavlak

Solution Architect, Perforce Software

Mike Pavlak has been working with IBM midrange solutions since 1992 and IBM Mainframes before that. After years of developing applications using RPG, CL and PHP he managed IT development and IT for power protection manufacturer Tripp Lite. Later Mike was instrumental in developing... Read More →

Monday April 11, 2022 3:30pm - 8:00pm EDT
Carlisle

Application Development

3:30pm EDT

DEEP DIVE: Generating and Consuming JSON Documents with SQL (Workshop)

DEEP DIVE: Generating and Consuming JSON Documents with SQL (Workshop)
Level: Advanced
JSON (Java Script Online Notation) is a data exchange format like XML, however JSON is simpler, less verbose, and can be parsed faster than XML. JSON becomes more and more important especially when data is exchanged by RESTful web services. The use of XML declines in favor of JSON. With Release 7.3 TR 3, scalar and aggregate functions were integrated into SQL for generating JSON objects, arrays, and for combining JSON components into complete documents.

The JSON_TABLE tables function for consuming JSON data was introduced with Release 7.3 TR 1.With the JSON_TABLE table function, JSON documents can be parsed, converted into a relational representation, and data picked specifically. 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 http-functions for getting access to web services. In combination with the JSON_TABLE function, the JSON answers returned by web services can be consumed within a SELECT-Statement.

Learning Objectives:

Get an introduction into JSON basics. Learn how JSON objects and arrays can be generated, concatenated, or nested and composed into JSON documents.
Discover how JSON documents, located in either the IFS or a column of a table or JSON answers returned by web services, can be parsed with the JSON_TABLE table function, converted into a relational representation, and data specifically selected.
You’ll also get an overview of the new http-functions and how to use them for getting access to web services.

Audience:
Developers and users who are experienced in SQL Queries and want to create JSON data with SQL. Developers and users who need to process JSON documents located in either SQL tables or the IFS or JSON answers returned by web services. Everybody who simply wants to enhance his SQL know-how.

Speakers

Birgitta Hauser

Database and Software Architect, Birgitta Hauser - Modernization - Education - Consulting on IBM i

Birgitta Hauser worked on the IBM i and its predecessors since 1992. She graduated with a business economics diploma, and started programming on the AS/400 in 1992. She worked and works as traditional RPG Programmer but also as Database and Software Engineer, focusing on IBM i application... Read More →

Monday April 11, 2022 3:30pm - 8:00pm EDT
Ashland

SQL & Database

7:15am EDT

Breakfast

Tuesday April 12, 2022 7:15am - 8:00am EDT
Solutions Center

Food & Networking

8:00am EDT

Interactive Water Cooler Topics and New Technology Primer

Speakers

Charles Guarino

CEO & IBM Champion, Central Park Data Systems

Charles Guarino believes in the “power” of IBM Power Systems. His career reflects his dedication and interest in bringing the platform and its solutions to others and as a result has been recognized as an IBM Champion.He is a member of COMMON’s Speaker Excellence Hall of Fame... Read More →

Tuesday April 12, 2022 8:00am - 9:00am EDT
Carlisle

Application Development

8:00am EDT

Intro To Python on IBM i (Beginner)

Come get your first look at Python and learn some of the basics! Also, learn about the product offerings that enable you to do software development with the language on the platform. Upon completing this class, you will be able to acquire, install, and use the language on IBM i, as well as extend its power using contributions from the larger open source community. We will also explore Db2 Data Access and IFS file system access as primary use cases for Python on IBM i.

Learning Objectives:
1) Installation of Python on IBM i
2) Multiple methods of use and access
3) Db2 data access from Python

Speakers

Mike Pavlak

Solution Architect, Perforce Software

Tuesday April 12, 2022 8:00am - 9:00am EDT
Commons II

Open Source

8:00am EDT

Basics of Security

Speakers

Steve Pitcher

iTech Solutions | A Service Express Company

Steve has been involved with IBM i since 2001 primarily in the manufacturing and distribution industries. Over that period he’s been a systems administrator, developer, IT Manager and IT Director. He joined iTech Solutions in 2017 in a combined sales/technical role, bringing additional... Read More →

Steve Pitcher

IBM i Administration, iTech Solutions

Steve Pitcher is a Solutions Expert on Systems Administration and Security with iTech Solutions Group and an Industry Analyst at MC Press Online. He’s been a specialist in IBM i solutions since 2000 with an emphasis on modernization, security and collaboration products. Steve has... Read More →

Tuesday April 12, 2022 8:00am - 9:00am EDT
Commons I

Security

8:00am EDT

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 services
With 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.
Learning Objectives:
In this session you’ll learn how to write data to the IFS and how to read IFS files, by using no other programming language than SQL.
It will be also demonstrated how to access and decompose *.csv files located in the IFS without copying them into a physical file or SQL table.
Audience: Developers and users who are experienced in SQL Queries and want to know how to write data into the IFS or have to consume IFS data, or simply want to enhance their SQL know-how.

Speakers

Birgitta Hauser

Database and Software Architect, Birgitta Hauser - Modernization - Education - Consulting on IBM i

Tuesday April 12, 2022 8:00am - 9:00am EDT
Grand Centre

SQL & Database

8:00am EDT

Access Client Solutions

We all fall into ruts. We continue to do things the same way we have always done them, why? Because it's comfortable. We tell our selfs, that learning something new will 'slow us down'. This session is aimed at breaking down the excuses and helping you see that there is a better way. We will spend most of the time doing live demos on how ACS can help change, and improve you life with the IBM i.

Speakers

Tim Rowe

Business Architect Application Development & Systems Management for IBM i, IBM

Tim Rowe is the Business Architect responsible for Application Development and Systems Management for the IBM i operating system. His responsibilities include helping to make sure that the IBM i has what is needed to be successful both today and into the future. He sends much of his... Read More →

Tuesday April 12, 2022 8:00am - 9:00am EDT
Ashland

Systems Management & Performance

9:10am EDT

Keynote: Pete’s Perspective on IBM i and your Career

Speakers

Pete Massiello

President, iTech Solutions

Pete Massiello has been working with the AS/400, iSeries, IBM i since 1989, focusing on systems management and technical support. He has held numerous technical positions through out his career. He is the President of iTech Solutions Group, an IBM Premier Business Partner delivering... Read More →

Tuesday April 12, 2022 9:10am - 10:00am EDT
Grand Centre

10:15am EDT

Introduction to VS Code for IBM i: installation, writing code, developer tools, creating programs, and much more

Speakers

Liam Allan

Advisory Software Engineer | Visual Studio Code fellow, IBM

Liam Allan, an IBM Champion, helps IBM i development teams modernize their applications and bridge the gap between traditional and modern development practices. Founder of Works of Barry, he specializes in DevOps, RPG, ILE, Node.js, PHP, PASE and open source. He also supports the... Read More →

Liam Allan

Works of Barry

Liam Allan, IBM Champion and consultant, helps IBM i development teams transform their applications and bridge the gap between traditional and modern development practices. He specialises in Node.js, ILE, modern development standards and open source technologies. He also supports... Read More →

Tuesday April 12, 2022 10:15am - 11:15am EDT
Carlisle

Open Source

10:15am EDT

Open-source Database Option on IBM i (Beginner/Executive)

The open-source stack that runs inside PASE on IBM i can host a variety of databases. While Db2 should remain
the primary database for business, there are use cases for some of the others that can help compliment business
applications in RPG and COBOL. In this session we'll explore the technical implementation of MariaDB,
PostgreSQL and SQLite and review how each technology can add value to an existing IBM i environment.
Learning Objectives:
1) Explore the different database options beyond Db2.
2) Gain insight into the primary use cases of each database solution

Speakers

Mike Pavlak

Solution Architect, Perforce Software

Tuesday April 12, 2022 10:15am - 11:15am EDT
Commons II

PHP

10:15am EDT

IBM i and our False Sense of Security

Speakers

Steve Pitcher

iTech Solutions | A Service Express Company

Steve Pitcher

IBM i Administration, iTech Solutions

Tuesday April 12, 2022 10:15am - 11:15am EDT
Commons I

Security

10:15am EDT

Data Centric – Moving Business Logic into the Database

When talking about application modernization database most think about converting from DDS to DDL and redesigning the database … and yes, this might be the final goal.
But there is much more! We have to move from an application-centric thinking to a data centric thinking. In short, instead of coding everything in whatever programming language, we should move as much business logic as possible into the database. It may even include foreign data that is provided and accessed by Web-Services.
But …what does that mean? At first, using encapsulated (complex) SQL Statements wrapped in SQL Views or User Defined Table Functions, externalizing Data Access, adding constraints and triggers, Row And Column Access Control (RCAC) …
With all these techniques we cannot only reduce our source code to a minimum but also secure our data!
Learning Objectives:
Discover how to move business logic into the database, what methods are available and learn how the applications can be slowly transformed from application centric to data centric.
Audience: IT Managers, project leaders, programmers and database administrators who are currently working with an old “grown over time” databases and applications want to modernize their application with regard to the data (and database). Programmers who just want to reduce their source code.

Speakers

Birgitta Hauser

Database and Software Architect, Birgitta Hauser - Modernization - Education - Consulting on IBM i

Tuesday April 12, 2022 10:15am - 11:15am EDT
Grand Centre

SQL & Database

10:15am EDT

IBM Navigator for i - A Live Demo

The IBM Navigator has been around for a very long time.... and the version that most think about, well lets say its not the best. Good news, there is a brand new version of IBM Navigator for i, built on the latest Web technologies, and levering IBM i Services and SQL as the backbone for exchanging data. This session will introduce this new interface and spend the majority of the time, showing how this interface. We will explore areas of interest by the users.

Speakers

Tim Rowe

Business Architect Application Development & Systems Management for IBM i, IBM

Tuesday April 12, 2022 10:15am - 11:15am EDT
Ashland

Systems Management & Performance

11:15am EDT

Morning Break

Tuesday April 12, 2022 11:15am - 11:30am EDT
Solutions Center

Food & Networking

11:30am EDT

Test Driven Development using Python (Beginner/Executive)

User Acceptance Testing should not be the only testing tool in your arsenal. Building a solid Python application is
easy if you automate the boring testing process. In this session we’ll explore how easy testing can be in Python
and how to get it done with several examples.
Learning Objectives:
1) Explore benefits of test Driven Development.
2) Work through a basic framework for architecting TDD.
3) Build an example case from scratch using Python and the unittest module.

Speakers

Mike Pavlak

Solution Architect, Perforce Software

Tuesday April 12, 2022 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
Grand Centre

Application Development

11:30am EDT

Writing the cleanest RPGLE: learn about linting, how a linter can not only show you potential issues, but also enforce code standards in your RPG as you write code

Speakers

Liam Allan

Advisory Software Engineer | Visual Studio Code fellow, IBM

Liam Allan

Works of Barry

Tuesday April 12, 2022 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
Carlisle

Application Development

11:30am EDT

The Future of IBM i is Open

Since the introduction of the yum/rpm ecosystem to IBM i three years ago, the availability and usage of open source solutions on the platform has grown and shows no signs of stopping. In this session, Erwin Earley – an IBM Power Champion and Open Source advocate – will take an engaging look at the open source ecosystem on IBM i. Erwin will review the solutions available today and how they can advance both usage of the platform, as well as the availability and value of the ground-truth of data that the platform represents. We will also read the tea-leaves on what lies ahead in the open source world for IBM i and how you and your company can benefit.

Speakers

Erwin Earley

Scality Software

Erwin offers more than 20 years of experience working in the IBM i community, as an IBM employee and now at Scality Software. He has worked with many technologies on the POWER platform including cloud (PowerVC), Dev/Ops solutions (Docker and Chef), and open source technologies (Linux... Read More →

Tuesday April 12, 2022 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
Commons II

PHP

11:30am EDT

Can Your IBM i Recover from a Disaster?

In this session, Pete Massiello will talk about key points to take note of when backing up your data so you can recover, and recover quickly. Pete will cover: How to know you’re backing up the right stuff, key points when testing your recovery, various options for backup, including cloud, VTL, remote testing, and more.

Speakers

Pete Massiello

President, iTech Solutions

Tuesday April 12, 2022 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
Commons I

Systems Management & Performance

12:30pm EDT

Lunch

Tuesday April 12, 2022 12:30pm - 1:15pm EDT
Solutions Center

Food & Networking

1:15pm EDT

Debugging with RDi From the On Ramp to the Cruising Lane

Session Abstract:
Displaying active variables? Check. Breakpoints? Yep, we got those too. Conditional and watch
breakpoints? Sure thing. But what about service entry points, which allow us to debug another user’s job
without having to use STRSRVJOB? Debug configurations to save multiple debug settings? Code
coverage that shows each line of code executed when a program has completed? This is only the start
of how the graphical RDi debugger exceeds the capabilities to the green screen version.
Learning Objectives:
1. Grow confidence in using the Rational Developer for i debugger
2. How to run, debug and control programs using the debugging environment and perspective.
Audience:
Programmers who have little or no knowledge using the new RDi debugger.

Speakers

Charles Guarino

CEO & IBM Champion, Central Park Data Systems

Tuesday April 12, 2022 1:15pm - 2:15pm EDT
Commons II

Application Development

1:15pm EDT

Modern Development on IBM i

The world of Application Development is continually changing. New technologies, tools, and methodologies are always being talked about. The good news is the IBM i continues to be reshaped and updated to help you take advantage of many of these. This session will review what is possible and ideas on how to best move from what you have been doing to what you could be doing.

Speakers

Tim Rowe

Business Architect Application Development & Systems Management for IBM i, IBM

Tuesday April 12, 2022 1:15pm - 2:15pm EDT
Ashland

Application Development

1:15pm EDT

Introduction to Node.js: installation, creating APIs, documentation and developer tools

Speakers

Liam Allan

Works of Barry

Tuesday April 12, 2022 1:15pm - 2:15pm EDT
Carlisle

Open Source

1:15pm EDT

Webservices only with SQL?!

In a modern world, information gets exchanged over the web. A request is put and an answer is returned. We do not care where the data is located. On the i data is stored within a relational database. Data access occurs with native I/O or SQL.
What if we could receive the request and provide the data directly by executing a SQL statement? Wouldn’t that be great?
With Release 7.4 the HTTP Web Administration GUI interface can now be used for deploying SQL Statements as REST APIs while the IBM Db2 acts as RESTful service provider.
Learning Objectives:
In this session you’ll learn how to
Create the integrated web services server
Deploy the SQL statements as a RESTful web service, including how to define the database properties and how to depose the SQL statements for each HTTP-method
Manage the deployed services
Audience: Programmers and database administrators/engineers who have to provide and consume webservices and want to do it directly without SQL, i.e. without an additional program.

Speakers

Birgitta Hauser

Database and Software Architect, Birgitta Hauser - Modernization - Education - Consulting on IBM i

Tuesday April 12, 2022 1:15pm - 2:15pm EDT
Grand Centre

SQL & Database

1:15pm EDT

Moving from Classic HMC GUI to Enhanced HMC GUI

The new enhanced GUI is really nice, but if you haven't used it, it is very different from the classic GUI. It is time to get on this GUI. It seems that you can't find anything, and things work and behave differently. Come to this session to learn where familiar functions are located now and how they work.

Speakers

Pete Massiello

President, iTech Solutions

Tuesday April 12, 2022 1:15pm - 2:15pm EDT
Commons I

Systems Management & Performance

2:15pm EDT

Dessert Break

Tuesday April 12, 2022 2:15pm - 2:45pm EDT
Solutions Center

Food & Networking

2:45pm EDT

RPGLE and Git the right way: understanding how to use git with VS Code, writing RPGLE locally, deploying and building to IBM i

Speakers

Liam Allan

Advisory Software Engineer | Visual Studio Code fellow, IBM

Liam Allan

Works of Barry

Tuesday April 12, 2022 2:45pm - 3:45pm EDT
Carlisle

Open Source

2:45pm EDT

Exploring Db2 Data Access in PHP (Beginner)

Speakers

Mike Pavlak

Solution Architect, Perforce Software

Tuesday April 12, 2022 2:45pm - 3:45pm EDT
Grand Centre

PHP

2:45pm EDT

Exploring Open Source Management Tools

As more open source solutions become available on the platform, both simple and complex, it becomes important to understand the tools that are available to manage applications running in the Open Source Environment. In this session we will explore tools such as Systems Commander (SC) for being able to control the state of applications and their dependencies; cron - for being able to schedule jobs, both one-time and recurring; and others.

Speakers

Erwin Earley

Scality Software

Tuesday April 12, 2022 2:45pm - 3:45pm EDT
Commons II

PHP

2:45pm EDT

New Navigator for i

IBM has turbocharged Navigator for i, with a new fresh look. Come see what the new tool has in it, the new features and functions to more easily manage your IBM i. How do you get the new version, and what the new features and functions do, and how you can take advantage of them.

Speakers

Pete Massiello

President, iTech Solutions

Tuesday April 12, 2022 2:45pm - 3:45pm EDT
Commons I

Systems Management & Performance

4:00pm EDT

Advanced Python on IBM i (Intermediate)

So, you’ve been learning about Python and maybe even playing a bit. Building upon the introductory session,
this session will address the object oriented world of Python programming and introduce several topics for
those considering Python for development. Some of these include Exception processing, Pathing, GUI use
ODBC, Web Services and much more. Learning Objectives:
1) Understand the Object Oriented model of Python
2) Master the use of ODBC from client AND server Db2 connections
3) Many other topics that help continue the growth of a Python developer

Speakers

Mike Pavlak

Solution Architect, Perforce Software

Tuesday April 12, 2022 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Commons I

Application Development

4:00pm EDT

Configuring RDi for RPG Development

RDi is the most versatile application development tools available today. It provides more and more
functionality with each update, and the results are obvious. This session focuses on the particular
attributes of enhancing your RPG development. How many of these features are you already using?

Speakers

Charles Guarino

CEO & IBM Champion, Central Park Data Systems

Tuesday April 12, 2022 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Carlisle

Application Development

4:00pm EDT

Uh Oh, I think my IBM i Got Breached

Speakers

Steve Pitcher

iTech Solutions | A Service Express Company

Tuesday April 12, 2022 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Ashland

Security

4:00pm EDT

Group By, Having and Multi-Dimensional Grouping

An SQL SELECT can be much more than a simple SELECT * FROM query. Among others it includes with the GROUP BY clause a powerful data aggregation capability. A bunch of aggregate functions allows to count or summarize rows, to calculate the average over multiple rows, to determine the minimum and maximum row value. The GROUP BY clause may be widely known and used, but the HAVING clause which goes hand in hand with the GROUP BY is often a mystery. There may be other secrets waiting for being revealed … or did you know you can create all kinds of sub-totals and grand-total with an SQL GROUP BY?
Learning Objectives:
In this session you’ll learn the basic use of the GROUP BY and HAVING clauses as well as the use of multiple aggregate functions. You’ll also discover how NULL values can affect the result returned by aggregate functions. It will be demonstrated how easily all kinds of sub-totals and grand-totals can be built. You’ll also learn how to use the CASE clause for building pivot tables.
Audience: Programmers, Database Administrators and Engineers who quite often need to run queries or built reports that include sub-totals and grand totals. Everybody who is interested in what can be done with an SQL SELECT statement.

Speakers

Birgitta Hauser

Database and Software Architect, Birgitta Hauser - Modernization - Education - Consulting on IBM i

Tuesday April 12, 2022 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Commons II

SQL & Database

5:00pm EDT

Networking Reception/Dinner

Tuesday April 12, 2022 5:00pm - 6:30pm EDT
Solutions Center

Food & Networking

6:30pm EDT

Casino Night

Tuesday April 12, 2022 6:30pm - 9:30pm EDT
Grand Centre

Food & Networking

7:15am EDT

Breakfast

Wednesday April 13, 2022 7:15am - 8:00am EDT
Solutions Center

Food & Networking

8:00am EDT

Open Source Programming Languages on IBM i

There has been significant expansion in the Open Source Programming Languages available on IBM i. This session will explore several of these including PHP, Python, Node.js, and Ruby. We will discuss the strengths (and weaknesses) of each language as well as their typical usage/application. We will also take a look at understanding the syntax of the language as well as the integration capabilities that each language has with regard to IBM i - including Db2 access and ILE integration and toolkits that are available for each language.

Speakers

Erwin Earley

Scality Software

Wednesday April 13, 2022 8:00am - 9:00am EDT
Carlisle

PHP

8:00am EDT

PHP: Today and Tomorrow (All levels)

PHP has turned the corner from being a “new kid on the block” to becoming a “legacy” solution. How do we
battle implementing new solutions without disturbing the existing application set? In this presentation come
find out how the latest PHP is simply not your father’s PHP and also where PHP is headed. Concepts like
deprecation cycles, implementing change and PHP Version 7 will be discussed.
Learning Objectives:
1) Understand the evolution of PHP on the IBM i platform.
2) Understand key features of PHP7+
3) How to install and manage Zend Server on IBM i.

Speakers

Mike Pavlak

Solution Architect, Perforce Software

Wednesday April 13, 2022 8:00am - 9:00am EDT
Commons II

PHP

8:00am EDT

Rapid Fire Admin

Speakers

Steve Pitcher

iTech Solutions | A Service Express Company

Wednesday April 13, 2022 8:00am - 9:00am EDT
Commons I

Security

8:00am EDT

SQL Performance Analysis Tools in ACS

SQL becomes more and more the standard for accessing data in physical files or SQL tables. Contrary to native I/O where the programmer specifies a physical or logical file that is to be used, in SQL it is the Optimizer who decides whether an index is used or whether the complete table/file is read.
Long running queries are a nuisance. ACS (Access Client Solutions) provide multiple interfaces for recording information about SQL queries and for analyzing the collected data, such as Visual Explain, SQL Plan Cache (Snapshots) or SQL Performance Monitors. All advised indices from both query engines (SQE and CQE) are recorded along with information about how often and when an index was used for the last time. With Access Client Solution this information can be accessed and necessary indexes immediately created.
Learning Objectives:
The Access Client Solution (ACS) interface is the easiest way to record and analyze your SQL statements. You’ll get an overview over the different tools such as Visual Explain, SQE Plan Cache and SQL Performance Monitors.
You’ll learn how to find the long running queries, how to analyze them. Because providing the right indexes is the key for a good SQL performance you’ll also get an introduction into the Index Advisor, Index Evaluator and Index Condenser Interfaces.
Audience: Programmers and database administrators/engineers who are faced with problems with long running SQL queries and have to optimize those queries or applications.

Speakers

Birgitta Hauser

Database and Software Architect, Birgitta Hauser - Modernization - Education - Consulting on IBM i

Wednesday April 13, 2022 8:00am - 9:00am EDT
Grand Centre

SQL & Database

8:00am EDT

Managing and Monitoring your IBM i

When it comes to managing and monitoring the IBM i, there are a number of tools and options....and it keeps on changing and expanding. This session will a brief look at some of the more popular options (like Nagios, Anisble, Instana, IBM Navigator, ACS) and how IBM i fits into these tools. Of course, Demos are a must where ever possible.

Speakers

Tim Rowe

Business Architect Application Development & Systems Management for IBM i, IBM

Wednesday April 13, 2022 8:00am - 9:00am EDT
Ashland

Systems Management & Performance

9:15am EDT

Source code refactoring with a side of RDI

Speakers

Charles Guarino

CEO & IBM Champion, Central Park Data Systems

Wednesday April 13, 2022 9:15am - 10:15am EDT
Carlisle

Application Development

9:15am EDT

Leverage IBM i Objects from Open Source Languages: Integrating ILE via XMLService and Related Toolkits

Business Case: Integration is everything – you’ve invested in data and business logic on your IBM i – leverage those via open source languages including Python, Node.js, and PHP. Don’t rewrite; integrate and innovate!

Speakers

Erwin Earley

Scality Software

Wednesday April 13, 2022 9:15am - 10:15am EDT
Commons II

PHP

9:15am EDT

OLAP 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 easily 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 access and compare the first, previous, next or last occurrence of the data within a partition. This session will give you an overview over the available OLAP functions and how they can be exploited.
.Learning Objectives:
In this session you will learn which OLAP functions are available and how they can be used for and how they can be exploited especially for statistical reports.
Audience: Manager, Programmers, Database Administrators and Engineers who need to generate and analyze complex statistics or everybody who is just interested in what is possible with OLAP functions.

Speakers

Birgitta Hauser

Database and Software Architect, Birgitta Hauser - Modernization - Education - Consulting on IBM i

Wednesday April 13, 2022 9:15am - 10:15am EDT
Grand Centre

SQL & Database

9:15am EDT

Using SQL Services in Everyday Life

There has been a significant strategic shift in how IBM i exposes data and how you can access and leverage that data. No longer are CL command and APIs the best way. Today, its all about SQL. You may go, great… I know nothing about SQL… no worries, neither do I! This sessions is about equipping you with some useful activities, and resources so that even if you are a novice, you can be successful with SQL Services to manage your IBM i today.

Speakers

Tim Rowe

Business Architect Application Development & Systems Management for IBM i, IBM

Wednesday April 13, 2022 9:15am - 10:15am EDT
Ashland

Systems Management & Performance

9:15am EDT

What to Know When Moving to the Cloud

In this session, we'll discuss what you need to think about when moving to the cloud. It’s not as easy as just moving your workload from one machine to another. Pete will cover: Costs associated with moving to the cloud, what you should be moving, understanding planning, migration, testing and more.

Speakers

Pete Massiello

President, iTech Solutions

Wednesday April 13, 2022 9:15am - 10:15am EDT
Commons I

Systems Management & Performance

10:15am EDT

Morning Break

Wednesday April 13, 2022 10:15am - 10:30am EDT
Solutions Center

Food & Networking

10:30am EDT

Providing Rest APIs for IBM i

Rest APIs are a key part of todays applications. The integrated Rest api engine within IBM i provides a simple way to create and host Rest APIs for ILE applications as well as direct SQL calls. This session will do live demo on how to create Rest APIs for multiple backend connections.

Speakers

Tim Rowe

Business Architect Application Development & Systems Management for IBM i, IBM

Wednesday April 13, 2022 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
Ashland

Application Development

10:30am EDT

Scripting in PASE

Speakers

Erwin Earley

Scality Software

Wednesday April 13, 2022 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
Commons II

Application Development

10:30am EDT

Node.js, db2, best friends: help get the basics of how Node.js and Db2 for i work together in harmony

Speakers

Liam Allan

Advisory Software Engineer | Visual Studio Code fellow, IBM

Wednesday April 13, 2022 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
Carlisle

Open Source

10:30am EDT

Python Modules for Profitability (Beginner)

Developing applications has far less to do with YOUR code and a lot more to do with OPC or Other Peoples Code. Leveraging Python scripts and code from the community can improve productivity and help shrink development windows. In this session we’ll look at where a lot of the code comes from in the form of Python modules.
Learning Objectives:
1) Understand how Python modules are implemented and used.
2) Explore the Python Standard Library or PSL.
3) Install and explore several open source modules that add productivity to the development team.
4) Take a quick tour of Flask as both a module and open source framework.

Speakers

Mike Pavlak

Solution Architect, Perforce Software

Wednesday April 13, 2022 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
Grand Centre

PHP

10:30am EDT

What You Need to Know to Successfully Upgrade to IBM i 7.3 and 7.4

When doing an upgrade to IBM i, there is more work involved in the planning of the upgrade than in the actual upgrade itself. When you have done the planning, the actual upgrade is simple. We will cover planning tips, pre-requisites, and then post-installation requirements. Your upgrade isn’t complete until this last step is done.

Speakers

Pete Massiello

President, iTech Solutions

Wednesday April 13, 2022 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
Commons I

Systems Management & Performance

11:45am EDT

Application Modernization Strategies

Modernization is an overwhelming process that can either make or break a company. It’s important that the first steps are in the right direction.
Learn: How to renovate & reuse old applications, different application modernization choices & techniques, when to use which application modernization technique, and how to develop an application modernization strategy

Speakers

Jose Caso

Product Manager, LANSA Inc.

As the product marketing manager, Jose draws on his experience as a former Project lead and Software developer, where he was responsible for developing enterprise applications. His broad range of experience includes leading digital transformation initiatives that included rewriting... Read More →

Andrew Vaiciunas

Senior Sales Engineer, LANSA Inc.

Andrew has over 35 years of business systems design and development experience on various operating system platforms, including 25+ years on IBM S/38 and AS/400-iSeries platforms, 30+ years with LANSA products, along with team facilitation and software sales. During this time he has... Read More →

Wednesday April 13, 2022 11:45am - 12:15pm EDT
Carlisle

Sponsored Session

11:45am EDT

Build Amazing Web Apps on IBM i in Minutes - No Coding Required!

Just released! Valence 6.1, available for free download, includes a browser-based low-code development utility called Nitro App Builder (NAB). Using this tool, anyone with a solid understanding of their IBM i database can, in a matter of minutes, create slick-looking web or mobile apps, including dashboards and data grids with download-to-Excel functionality. Running entirely on IBM i, NAB can also be used to create intricate file maintenance apps through which users can adjust content in one or more physical files — you control which fields they can see or edit.

All of this can be achieved with no coding, though IBM i developers can easily extend the app's functionality with RPG or SQL code to handle business logic as needed. Advanced programmers comfortable with HTML5 or JavaScript code can take things even further, creating super elaborate data-entry apps that work hand-in-hand with server-side RPG logic through the Valence Portal.

The bottom line: With Valence, whether you're a seasoned developer or a database-savvy user, you can crank out highly functional web or mobile apps on IBM i in no time — no prior experience in web or mobile development required! Join us in this quick demo session to see this latest release of the Valence framework, and how easy it is to build and deploy such an app on your system.

Speakers

Robert Swanson

Senior Partner, Chicago, United States, CNX

Robert's blood runs "deep green" after having launched his IT career in 1992 as a developer in the 5250-heavy AS/400 world, specializing in the development of shop floor applications for manufacturing and distribution sites. In subsequent years the platform — along with the platform's... Read More →

Wednesday April 13, 2022 11:45am - 12:15pm EDT
Commons I

Sponsored Session

11:45am EDT

Improve IBM i Developer productivity by 50%

Do you ever find yourself thinking, "There has to be a better way to do this?”
With automated IBM i analysis and modernization tools, you can reduce the time spent managing applications and onboarding new developers, move projects forward faster, and reduce the risks involved in making changes to your code.

In this session, Fresche’s Stephen Flaherty demonstrate the business value derived from application documentation, analysis and better understanding of your IBM i applications.

You'll see:
• Automated graphical documentation that makes it easy for IT to visualize and understand application design and flow
• Powerful impact analysis that tracks “where used” information so you can make code changes with confidence
• How IBM i organizations have used Fresche's X-Analysis to save significant developer time and better understand their applications

Speakers

Stephen Flaherty

Technical Specialist, Fresche Solutions

Stephen Flaherty began RPG programming in the early 1980s, and worked for many types of organizations in the manufacturing, retail, and software development industries before joining Fresche. As a strategist and IBM i application development expert, Stephen helps clients transform... Read More →

Wednesday April 13, 2022 11:45am - 12:15pm EDT
Commons II

Sponsored Session

11:45am EDT

Make Bold Moves - Modernize your applications and deliver value to your business

In this session, we’ll discuss how you can build innovative, multiplatform applications around a strong and secure foundation, your IBM i, and deliver value to your business stakeholders.
›› Integrate with leading CI/CD solutions
›› Deliver DevOps across your organization
›› Deploy database file changes in seconds
Learn about advanced tools that support concurrent development, sophisticated deployment, automated rollback, and API creation.

Speakers

Donna Westmoreland

CTO, Midrange Dynamics North America

Experience gained from leading major projects, including application modernization, at 100s of corporations has given Donna a well-rounded view of development needs, audit requirements, and testing principles.

Wednesday April 13, 2022 11:45am - 12:15pm EDT
Ashland

Sponsored Session

12:15pm EDT

Lunch

Wednesday April 13, 2022 12:15pm - 1:00pm EDT
Solutions Center

Food & Networking

1:00pm EDT

RPGLE as a web service: through the use of SQL and an open-source environment like PHP, Node.js or Python, you can turn traditional

Speakers

Liam Allan

Advisory Software Engineer | Visual Studio Code fellow, IBM

Wednesday April 13, 2022 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Commons II

Open Source

1:00pm EDT

PHP Arrays for the RPG Programmer – (Intermediate)

Until recently, RPG has neglected the sophistication of elegant array processing while PHP has supported the use of arrays since its inception. This session examines why array processing is so important and how many of the over 70 array functions relate to RPG operation codes and built-in functions. Participants will see how arrays are used to pass parameters between functions and programs, as well as how arrays can be used to supplant nearly all of the purposes data structures serve in RPG. This intermediate level session is important for the RPG programmer exploring PHP for production purposes.

Speakers

Mike Pavlak

Solution Architect, Perforce Software

Wednesday April 13, 2022 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Commons I

PHP

1:00pm EDT

Anatomy of a Security Failure

Speakers

Steve Pitcher

iTech Solutions | A Service Express Company

Wednesday April 13, 2022 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Carlisle

Security

1:00pm EDT

Date and Time Calculation with SQL

Calculating dates and times correctly within commercial applications are can be critical. SQL has become very powerful in date calculation and date operation functions. In this way SQL includes functions for retrieving the day of the week (as number of name), calculating the week according the ISO guide lines, determining the month end or the date of the next Wednesday or Friday. Additionally, SQL includes scalar functions that allow to convert almost any (valid) character representation of a date, time or timestamp into a real timestamp and vice versa. This session will give you an overview over the latest SQL scalar functions for date and time calculation and for conversion between numeric and character date/time.
Learning Objectives:
In this session you will learn how to convert character and numeric dates, times and timestamps in almost any format into a valid timestamp and vice versa. You will also learn how to calculate the differences between date and time values, how to add or subtract date and time values to a date, time or timestamp and how to extract a date/time part from a date, time, timestamp or calculated time/date difference. You will also get an overview over the available scalar date and time functions.
.Audience: SQL Users, Programmers and database administrators who (often) have to convert numeric or character dates into real dates and who have to calculate with date and time values.

Speakers

Birgitta Hauser

Database and Software Architect, Birgitta Hauser - Modernization - Education - Consulting on IBM i

Wednesday April 13, 2022 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Grand Centre

SQL & Database

1:00pm EDT

Installing and Configuring NVMe

NVMe is the latest “disk” technology, and you will be amazed at the performance. Configuring them is entirely different. In this session, we will cover the different types of NVMe adapters, how to configure the name spaces, protection, and recommendations on sizes for each name space.

Speakers

Pete Massiello

President, iTech Solutions

Wednesday April 13, 2022 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Ashland

Systems Management & Performance

2:00pm EDT

Dessert Break and Prize Drawings

Wednesday April 13, 2022 2:00pm - 2:30pm EDT
Solutions Center

Food & Networking

2:30pm EDT

Extending RPG with Db2 for i functions: Learn how to use the mass amount of Db2 functions within your RPG programs to do string operations, web requests, XML and JSON parsing

Speakers

Liam Allan

Advisory Software Engineer | Visual Studio Code fellow, IBM

Wednesday April 13, 2022 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
Carlisle

Open Source

2:30pm EDT

Containers Explained

One of the cool aspects of open source on IBM i is the ability to establish file-system containers. But why would you want to? In this session we will explore both how to set up containers as well as discuss the benefits that containers bring to both development environments as well as production workloads. At the end of this session you will understand when you might want to use containers and have the skills to establish them on your IBM i system.

Speakers

Erwin Earley

Scality Software

Wednesday April 13, 2022 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
Commons II

PHP

2:30pm EDT

PHP Function Junction – (Intermediate)

PHP Function Junction examines how functions work and how they are created and used in PHP. The
presentation is loaded with examples from the PHP library of over 5,000 functions, and includes an in depth
study of how to create user defined functions. Many comparisons to RPG sub-procedure model are made
during this presentation. A discussion of variable scope and the conversion of an inline PHP script to a functional script are discussed

Speakers

Mike Pavlak

Solution Architect, Perforce Software

Wednesday April 13, 2022 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
Commons I

PHP

2:30pm EDT

Real Effects of Malware

Speakers

Steve Pitcher

iTech Solutions | A Service Express Company

Wednesday April 13, 2022 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
Ashland

Security

2:30pm EDT

Create Or Replace … DDS with DDL

With the latest releases and technology refreshes the SQL data definition language (DDL) for creating and maintaining database objects was enormously enhanced. DDS on the other hand is stabilized. But still a lot of applications even those with a modern graphical interface and where the latest goodies of the programming language are used in the source code are based on DDS described files. The excuse DDL enhancements cannot be used, because of the DDS description and the native I/O access of these files, does not count any more. With Reverse Engineering, the SQL code for DDS described objects can be retrieved. CREATE OR REPLACE statements allow DDS described files to be converted into SQL defined database objects, while the programs that use these files can stay untouched. With the CREATE OR REPLACE TABLE statement, files with fields based on field reference tables can be managed.
Learning Objectives:
In this session you will learn to convert DDS described files into SQL tables and SQL indexes without touching any program code. It will also be demonstrated how reference files can be used in composition with SQL tables and how (future) enhancements, for example adding columns on a specific position or changing data types and lengths can be managed.
Audience: Database Engineers, Database Administrators, Managers and Programmers who want to modernize their database and want to start with converting the existing DDS described files into SQL objects.

Speakers

Birgitta Hauser

Database and Software Architect, Birgitta Hauser - Modernization - Education - Consulting on IBM i

Wednesday April 13, 2022 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
Grand Centre

SQL & Database