Rational Developer

IBM Rational Software Delivery Platform for System i

Version history

RDi's predecessor product was WDSC. WDSC's latest version was 7.0, and it was tied to the Websphere Application Server's release numbering rather than the System i's i5/OS numbering. This confused some people because WDSC included both host and client software. The host software was obviously tied to i5/OS, but the client software could operate with different versions of i5/OS.

With this release, IBM Rational have broken the version numbers apart, so now the host tools and compilers have version numbers that match the version of i5/OS they are intended to operate with. The client tools remain tied to Websphere's versioning system.

RDi version	i5/OS V5R2	i5/OS V5R3	i5/OS V5R4	IBM i v6.1	IBM i v7.1
V7.1	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	?
V7.5	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	?
V7.6	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes

Fix packs

Fix packs are IBM-released fixes and patches that repair defects and sometimes add enhancements between full releases. RDi has had fix packs prior to those listed here but they were recorded in the WDSC_Fixpacks article. IBM announces fix packs at the RPG Café and also at the WDSCI-L list on Midrange.com.

To install a fix pack, end RDi, back up your workspace, start IBM Installation Manager and choose Update. Some fix packs can take significant time to complete - users have reported half an hour or more. Try updating over lunch when you won't be tempted to cancel it for taking so long...

RDi version	ZIP	Release notes	Full details
7.5.0.3	ZIP	Release notes	RPG Café
7.6.0.1	ZIP	Release notes	RPG Café

Packaging

IBM Rational announced this version of its System i development tools January 29, 2008. Planned release date is March 21, 2008. The PID code for the host tooling is 5761-WDS but there are many separate feature codes -- check the Host tools announcement for details. The PID codes for the client tooling are 5724-T82 and 5733-RDI. Again, check the Client Announcement for details on the many feature codes that will affect your ordering.

• Host tools
  • ILE compilers
    • Option 31 ILE RPG
    • Option 35 ILE RPG *PRV Compiler
    • Option 41 ILE COBOL
    • Option 45 ILE COBOL *PRV
    • Option 51 ILE C
    • Option 52 ILE C++
    • Option 56 IXLC for C/C++
  • Heritage compilers
    • Option 32 S/36 Compatible RPG II
    • Option 33 S/38 Compatible RPG III
    • Option 34 RPG/400®
    • Option 42 S/36 Compatible COBOL
    • Option 43 S/38 Compatible COBOL
    • Option 44 OPM COBOL
  • Application Development ToolSet — Option 21 Application Development ToolSet
• Client tools

In addition to the standalone RDi, there is a version of RDi that comes bundled with HATS see Announcement Letter 208-178 Its official name is IBM Rational Developer for System i™ for SOA Construction V7.1 and was first announced in Announcement Letter 208-061

Two product IDs are associated with this:

• 5724-T83
• 5733-SOA

Pricing and ordering

The pricing structure for WebSphere Development Studio for System i (5761-WDS) is based on the processor group (also known as software machine group or software tier) of the machine on which the program is used and on the number of named users of the program. Each license entitlement contains the processor group and the user quantity. Additional users entitlements may be purchased as needed.

A user of WebSphere Development Studio for System i (5761-WDS) is defined as a named user who is capable of executing the program.

The customer has the option to order any or all of the three WebSphere Development Studio for System i features separately. Each feature is priced differently.

For upgrades from ADTS (SEU and PDM), there will be entitlements for those on software maintenance ([SWMA]), meaning that a given software tier will come with a certain number of user licenses (called a Proof of Entitlement.) Note that downgrading (e.g. from a P10 to a P05), no credits are given.

For new purchases (not upgrades), each tier will also be required to purchase a minimum number of licenses.

As of 7 February 2008, George Farr (IBM) says there will be no entitlement upgrades from WDSC to RDi. You can upgrade your green screen tooling through entitlement but you'll have to purchase the GUI tooling. iSociety chat 06 Feb 2008.

Software tier	SWMA entitlement	New purchase minimum
P05	4 seats	1 seats
P10	8 seats	3 seats
P20	12 seats	4 seats
P30	16 seats	10 seats
P40	20 seats	15 seats
P50	30 seats	20 seats
P60	40 seats	25 seats

Pricing involves a charge for the processor tier, and a charge for each user. Call IBM or your Business Partner for specific pricing.

Extensions

RDi, like WDSC can be modified by programmers. The Eclipse platform provides a mechanism called extensions. Writing an extension requires knowledge of Java as well as the internal structure of RSE and Lpex. New to RDi is a refactored RSE called variously OpenRSE, Target Management (TM) / RSE and DSDP-TM RSE. Refactored means that if you have written extensions for WDSC or RDi 7.1, they will need to be redone for RDi 7.5. A cautionary note is in order about TM/RSE 2.0 as well: IBM considers this to be a provisional release - any and all interfaces can be changed, breaking backward compatibility. IBM intends that TM/RSE 3.0 will be stable and hardened.

• Developer Guide for Rational Developer for i V7.5 tech note - How do I find the information on developing an extension to Rational Developer for i v7.5?

External links

IBM

• Rational Developer for Power Systems Software home page (7.6+)
• Rational Developer for i home page (7.5+)
• IBM Rational Developer for System i RDi home page (7.1)
• IBM Rational Software Delivery Platform for System i announcement site
• Host tools V6R1 announcement
• Client tools V7.1 announcement
• RBD 7.1 (Preview)
• RDi SOA 7.1 (Preview)
• HATS for 5250 Applications 7.1 (Preview)
• Software Announcement letter 208-016 29 Jan 2008

Industry articles

• George Farr's System i Network article (Mar 2008 )
• Bob Cancilla's IBM Systems Magazine article (Mar 2008)
• Joe Pluta's MC Press online article (Feb 2008)

Categories

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