Session Descriptions

Track 3 Working with iSeries Data

Processing XML with RPG
V5R4 added powerful XML processing capabilities to RPG IV. Even if you’re not using XML today, you almost certainly will be in the future, so now is the time to learn how to put this new functionality to work for you. This session goes under the hood of the new XML support. You will learn how to use the new RPG support to process XML documents and see how easy it is to enter the world of XML processing. Plus, gain insight into the XML enhancements made in the V6R1 release. Pre-requisite: Since the XML support is built upon the data structure features added in V5R2, knowledge of these features (or attendance at “The Powerful New Features Lurking in the Modern D-Spec”) is recommended.

Hands-on Lab
Generating and Processing XML with RPG
Gain hands-on experience in both creating XML from RPG programs and extracting data from an XML document using the new V5R4 RPG support. Discover your options for generating XML from an RPG program, as well as how to parse an XML document from RPG in order to process the document’s data. This hands-on lab will provide tips and techniques on how to deal with XML in an RPG environment. Attendance at the session “Processing XML with RPG” or equivalent knowledge is recommended.

Embedding SQL in an RPG Program
Uncover the techniques needed to successfully embed SQL statements within highlevel language programs, specifically RPGLE. Take a deep dive into the intricacies of SQL syntax and learn to develop new application designs that work effectively with SQL. This session arms you with the best processes to optimize the performance of your SQL. Get the do’s and don’ts of using parameter markers and delve down into some of the error-handling methods available. Walk away with compile options, embedded SQL syntax, program design concepts, and sample programs to create effective and reliable application programs which utilize SQL as their primary method of database I/O.

Embed RPG into SQL using User-Defined Functions
Attend this session and learn how to expand the capability of SQL through userdefined functions (UDFs), enabling you to more efficiently perform difficult tasks, like converting date fields in legacy applications into real date data types. Gain insight into error-handling within an RPGLE UDF and review parameters on the CREATE FUNCTION statement. Overcome the challenges associated with integrating SQL with legacy databases, leveraging the use of existing RPGLE code, and finally choosing when to use SQL and when to use RPG. You take home a complete set of example functions that you can begin applying to your own environment.

Working with Stored Procedures in SQL and RPG
Get step-by-step advice on turning high-level languages and SQL Syntax into stored procedures in DB2 that can be called or invoked from any SQL or RPGLE interface on the iSeries. Delve into the creation and use of stored procedures, including how to compile one or more SQL statements into an executable object without embedding the SQL statements in an RPG, COBOL, C, or Java program. Examine passing parameters, returning result sets, error-handling within stored procedures, writing stored procedures in RPGLE and calling stored procedures in DB2 for i5/OS from VB.NET. Come away from this session equipped with a solid understanding of how stored procedures are written in both SQL and RPG.

DB2 Web Query for System i
Come see what all the buzz is about with IBM’s new DB2 WebQuery, a strategic replacement for the Query/400 product. Delve down into this more robust and extensible reporting solution, which leverages the latest reporting and graphing development tools available in DB2 for the IBM i. Improve the look and functionality of your existing Query/400 reports, discover how to send your Query output to a PDF or Microsoft Excel file, and find out how to format your existing reports as graphs and charts. Walk away from this session with the ability to create new reports with drill down, traffic lighting, and OLAP capabilities and the functionality to enable your end users to analyze their reports in a disconnected mode.

Hands-on Lab
Building Reports with DB2 Web Query
Attend this 90-minute open lab for the unique opportunity to get a hands-on experience with the latest version of DB2 WebQuery. This lab walks you through the process of creating metadata against your files, importing Query400 queries into DB2 Web Query to web enable the output, and building reports and graphs using it’s new development tools. You’ll then go one step further and learn how to take advantage of the DB2 WebQuery’s integration with Excel spreadsheet technology. Finally, experience firsthand how to set up Active Reports, a feature rich report output format that lets users analyze and manipulate data in a disconnected mode.

Create Graphical i5 Dashboards with DB2/400 Data
Learn how to take advantage of graphical dashboards to create, present, and interact with live business data in an easy-to-understand form. Get introduced to the key graphic and dashboard technologies and learn how to create an enhanced visual presentation of your data. This session will arm you with field-tested techniques to integrate leading edge components such as gauges, pie charts, tables, speedometers, and other visualization tools with i5 data and programs. Walk away with sample code and the know-how to begin creating your own browserbased dashboards.

MySQL on the System i
The IBM System I now has another database available. This session will introduce the widely used MYSQL database to the System I community. Learn what open source options are available to leverage the MYSQL database directly on the System i. See a live example of the MYSQL administration and query tools. Leave this session with a concrete understanding of how your organization can take advantage of this new option.

Control Language - New Enhancements and Fixes to Old Problems
Come to this session to learn all about the new enhancements that IBM has made to Control Language (CL) in recent releases. Find out how CL can now address a wide range of applications that it couldn’t reach before. Delve into new data types and structured code for easier communication to other jobs on your system. Understand how to declare variables of type pointer in CL and then learn how to use subroutines to divide a CL procedure into tasks of logically related code and understand the types of APIs that CL can now call that used to be unreachable from CL. Take a first-hand look at some of the most annoying problems encountered by CL programmers over the years and get expert advice to overcome them.

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