Jumpstart Day

Join us for this special, pre-conference day and jumpstart your educational experience. These sessions help you master fundamental concepts and enhance your learning experience at iSeries DevCon2008. Your Jumpstart Day fee entitles you to attend any combination of morning and afternoon 3-hour sessions, lunch, and a CD containing all of the Jumpstart materials — for only an additional $295.

PHP from A-Z
Jon Paris, Partner400

Millions of Web programmers use PHP every day to quickly and easily create dynamic Web applications, and you can too! Dive into the basics of programming in PHP on the iSeries by drawing comparisons with the RPG IV language we all know and love. Learn how the simplicity and power of PHP, like RPG, is focused on “getting the job done.” Gain valuable insight into iSeriesspecific PHP features, as well as the built-in database support that enables programmers to interoperate with databases on multiple platforms. Hear about the built-in Web services and XML support that makes it simple to develop new XML-enabled applications. Discover the world of freely available PHP applications that allow you to quickly get a wiki, blog, shopping cart, or help desk application up and running and at little or no cost. As you will see, PHP is both fun and easy to learn!

XML Basics for RPG Programmers
Susan Gantner, Partner400

Find out how the Extensible Markup Language (XML) provides a powerful way to describe and encode data, thus enabling standard data interchange between applications of varying languages and environments. Take the first steps toward putting XML to work by gaining an understanding of the basic syntax rules of the language and the impact XML will have on your RPG applications, both now and in the future. Dive into core XML concepts like Document Type Definitions (DTDs), XML schemas, XML transformations using stylesheets, and much more. Uncover a simple way to generate XML documents directly from an RPG program using free IBM tools, and explore the options for parsing XML within your RPG applications. Whether you plan to use XML as the foundation for Web services, SOA, or EDI-type applications, this Jumpstart will get you rolling and prepare you for the other XML-related sessions in the main conference.

Afternoon Sessions

A Comprehensive Introduction to SQL Database Design
Kevin Forsythe, DMC Consulting

Whether you’re new to SQL or a more seasoned vet, get the skills you need to start designing your databases with SQL instead of traditional DDS. Get up to speed fast and equip yourself with a firm foundation and the know-how to create easier-to-use database tables. Then progress into the SQL syntax used to create indexes, views, materialized queries, global temporary tables, constraints, and triggers. Learn how to use IBM tools such as Query Manager, Interactive SQL, and the GUI Run SQL Scripts tool within iSeries Navigator to help manage your database. Walk away with the skills you need to begin managing your database with SQL, and leave DDS behind for good.

Connecting Your System i to All Things TCP /IP
Larry Bolhuis, Arbor Solutions

Attend this comprehensive session on TCP/IP in i5/OS and start providing reliable end-to-end connections between your applications. Take an in-depth look at IP addresses, dive into IP routing to figure out what it is, how it works, and how to overcome routing issues. Discover how IPV4 addresses are constructed, understand Subnet Masks, and get introduced to IPV6 – the new standard in IP addressing. Learn Virtual IP, Proxy ARP, and Showler routes to create networks that leverage multiple Ethernet interfaces to configure highly available and load balanced networks. Learn the ins and outs of the many ways to connect your System i to other systems, including Windows file shares, *nix NFS shares, other i5/OS machines with QFileSvr.400, DrDa and DDM Files – and if you watch closely, we may even communicate with the HMC from i5/OS! Examine some of the TCP/IP servers that run in the i5/OS environment and how you can make the most of them, including QZDASOINIT, the favorite of System i administrators everywhere. Finally, gather troubleshooting tips so you can quickly track down and remedy connectivity issues, and walk away with a tested path to follow and tools to use to get i5/OS back on line as quickly as possible.

All day Session

RDi for RPG Programmers
Joe Pluta, Pluta Brothers Design, Inc

Immerse yourself in the world of RDi (Rational Developer for i) by attending this all-encompassing jumpstart, presented in two parts. Understand how WDSC and RDi are nearly identical, but identify those few areas where RDi does things that WDSC does not. In this intense and interactive session, learn to use RDi to perform all the green screen functions you currently do every day, and discover how to increase your productivity in the process. Instead of wading through tutorials and books, RPG (and COBOL!) programmers get everything they need to know to become completely proficient in this new, exciting technology, in just one sitting. From connecting to your IBM i to managing source members to editing, compiling, and debugging, this session has it all. By the time you’re done with this jumpstart, you will have kicked fear and confusion to the curb and moved on into the productive world of RDi.

Register today to save $100.