Difference between revisions of "Web GUI Development Options"

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(Added PowerRuby and differentiated from Andrea's original work.)
 
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==Intro==
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[[Category:Programming languages]]
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There are numerous options for developing applications for the i which use a Web based Graphical User Interface.
+
[[Category:Programming]]
 +
[[Category:Web]]
 +
[[Category:GUI]]
 +
 
 +
 
 +
 
 +
 
 +
==Green Screen Emulation / Conversion / Open Access Options==
 +
 
 +
Tools that leverage existing green-screen interfaces and offer emulation or a quick migration path to browser user interfaces with little or no programming required.
 +
 
  
−
{| class="wikitable"
+
{| class="wikitable sortable" border="1"
 
|-
 
|-
−
! Product/Language
+
! width="100"|Product / Language
−
! Vendor
+
! width="100"|Vendor
−
! width="400"|Description
+
! width="300"|Description
−
! width="50"|Free/Open Source/Commercial
+
! width="100"|Free / Open Source / Commercial
−
! width="50"|Commercial Support Available
+
! width="100"|Commercial Support Available
−
! width="50"|Suitable for 5250 Migration
+
! width="100"|Runtime
−
! width="50"|Rapid Application Development
 
−
! width="50"|non-RPG skills needed
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
| [[EGL]]
+
| [[aXes]]
−
| [https://www.ibm.com/developerworks/mydeveloperworks/groups/service/html/communityview?communityUuid=3e2b35ae-d3b1-4008-adee-2b31d4be5c92 IBM]
+
| [http://www.axeslive.com/ LANSA]
−
| EGL is a higher-level programming language designed for simplifying development of modern business applications and services. EGL code compiles into COBOL, Java, and JavaScript, which means it can be deployed to a wide variety of environments (for example, enterprise systems, application servers, web browsers). EGL frees developers to focus on the business problem rather than on the details of the target runtime platforms and associated middleware. EGL is ideal for business-oriented development teams that value ease of learning and need to quickly deliver modern applications and services.  
+
| aXes transforms RPG and COBOL 5250 programs into Rich Internet Applications accessible via multiple Web Browsers on multiple devices (including mobiles) — without having to change a single line of code. aXes runs in a standard Web browser without installing any software or ActiveX controls on the client device. All web apps are served off the IBM i, no Windows servers required.
−
| Commercial / F/OSS Version
+
| Commercial
 
| Yes
 
| Yes
 +
| ILE
 +
|-
 +
| [[PSC/400]]
 +
| [http://www.plutabrothers.com/PBD/p1.html Pluta Brothers Design]
 +
| Converts your screens into two standard UI types: green screen and gray screen. The green screen acts as a replacement for the standard 5250 display, and requires no HTML skills on your part and no retraining for your programmers or your end users. A simple conversion and you're on the web. If you then choose to deploy a more "web-like" appearance, your HTML developers can customize the generated gray screen in whatever way they see fit.
 +
| Commercial
 
| Yes
 
| Yes
−
| No
+
| Java
−
| ?
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
| [[Presto, Web Smart ILE, Web Smart PHP, Clover, Nexus Portal]]
+
| [[ProfoundUI]]
−
| [http://www.bcdsoftware.com/ BCD Software]
+
| [http://www.profoundlogic.com ProfoundLogic]
−
| Suite of Web Development Tools. BCD credits its longevity in the industry to its unrelenting focus on the IBM i developer community and its ability to provide trusted application modernization solutions.
+
| Profound UI is a full-featured graphical user interface platform based on IBM's RPG Open Access, the ground-breaking enhancement to RPG that opens IBM i applications (also known as iSeries, System i and AS/400) up to Web interfaces. The platform offers developers an easy, natural method for creating connected IBM i applications that deliver rich user experiences regardless of project complexity or organization size.  
 
| Commercial
 
| Commercial
 
| Yes
 
| Yes
−
| Yes
+
| ILE
−
| Yes
 
−
| HTML / CSS / JavaScript / SQL
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
| [[RPG x Tools]]
+
| [[openlook]]
−
| [http://www.rpgxtools.com/index.html Bob Cozzi]
+
| [http://www.looksoftware.com/ Look Software]
−
| Support for CGI interfaces. If you had COZTOOLS, you'd be done by now!
+
| Thousands of organizations have worked with us to deliver excellent user experience. Whether you're refacing, integrating, mobilizing, extending or developing new IBM i applications, we have the experience and dedication to guarantee your success.
 
| Commercial
 
| Commercial
 
| Yes
 
| Yes
−
| Yes
+
| ILE
−
| No
 
−
| HTML / CSS / JavaScript / SQL
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
| [[Renaissance Framework]]
+
| [[HATS / Webfacing]]
−
| [http://www.renaissanceframework.com/ CoralTree Systems]
+
| [http://www-01.ibm.com/software/awdtools/hats/ IBM Rational]
−
| A Framework of RPG ILE programs, service programs, Javascript and HTML designed to enable developers to quickly and easily build high-quality browser-based intranet applications for the IBM i server. Integrated tools such jQuery, JDBC  and others created by the Coral Tree team, encapsulated in RPG procedures which avoid the hassle of working directly with HTML, CSS and Javascript.
+
| Quickly transform your 3270 and 5250 green screen applications to intuitive Web, portlet, rich client or mobile device user interfaces, and extend 3270, 5250, and VT green screens as standard Web services.
−
| Free / Open Source
+
| Commercial
−
| ?
 
 
| Yes
 
| Yes
−
| No
+
| Java
−
| ?
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
| [[m-power]]
+
| [http://www.bcdsoftware.com/webgui Presto]
−
| [http://www.mrc-productivity.com/index.html m-power]
+
| [http://www.bcdsoftware.com/ BCD]
−
| Build data-driven web applications without programming. m-Power is a web application development platform that lets you create data-driven enterprise web (and mobile) applications without programming. With m-Power, you can: Reduce web application development time by 80%, build web apps using your current staff and skills, automate mobile application development.
+
| Presto gives all of your 5250 green screen applications a rich web GUI without requiring any changes to your RPG, COBOL or DDS source. Upon installation, all of your green screens are instantly accessible from browsers on PCs, tablets and smartphones. Further enhance the look and add new functionality using Presto’s Visual Editor or access the HTML, CSS and JavaScript for full control over the UI.  
 
| Commercial
 
| Commercial
 
| Yes
 
| Yes
 +
| ILE
 +
|-
 +
| [[IceCap]]
 +
| [http://www.system-method.com/IceCap System & Method]
 +
| IceCap adds immediately an intuitive web interface to your existing RPG, COBOL and CL programs. The new interface adds a wide range of integration opportunities.
 +
| Commercial / Free Trial
 
| Yes
 
| Yes
 +
| ILE
 +
|}
 +
 +
==ILE CGI Frameworks==
 +
 +
Frameworks providing support for HTTP interfaces, including support for HTML / CSS / JavaScript / XML / JSON / ExtJS / JQuery / and similar client technologies via ILE APIs and related tooling.
 +
 +
 +
{| class="wikitable sortable" border="1"
 +
|-
 +
! width="100"|Product 
 +
! width="100"|Vendor
 +
! width="300"|Description
 +
! width="100"|Free / Open Source / Commercial
 +
! width="100"|Commercial Support Available
 +
|-
 +
| [[Valence]]
 +
| [http://cnxcorp.com/valence/ CNX Corporation]
 +
| Valence RPG Toolkit - includes all the tools necessary for RPG programmers to quickly move data to and from the browser. Combine the power and scalability of your IBM i with the user-friendly features of a modern browser interface to create World Class apps for your users.
 +
| Commercial / Free Community Edition
 
| Yes
 
| Yes
−
| SQL
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
| [[Look ...]]
+
| [[Visual LANSA Framework]]
−
| [http://www.looksoftware.com/ Look Software]
+
| [http://www.lansa.com/products/visual-lansa-application-framework.htm LANSA]
−
| Thousands of organizations have worked with us to deliver excellent user experience. Whether you're refacing, integrating, mobilizing, extending or developing new IBM i applications, we have the experience and dedication to guarantee your success.
+
| The Visual LANSA Framework minimizes the effort required for designers and developers to create graphical and robust Web applications that run on the IBM i. The application framework allows developers to assemble commercial grade enterprise software rapidly with minimal coding, generating high quality business applications with a consistent appearance and behavior.
 
| Commercial
 
| Commercial
 
| Yes
 
| Yes
 +
|-
 +
| [[OpenRPGUI]]
 +
| [http://openrpgui.com/ OpenRPGUI]
 +
| OpenRPGUI (short for Open Source RPG User Interface) is a free, open source and light weight framework for RPG developers on the IBM i to use for building modern looking applications. We have evaluated the current infrastructure of programming in RPG on IBM i and found that the only thing we significantly lack is an efficient means to communicate with a modern user interface.
 +
| Free / Open Source
 
| Yes
 
| Yes
 +
|-
 +
| [[powerEXT]]
 +
| [http://powerext.com powerEXT]
 +
| powerEXT Framework is an Open Source RPGLE based Application Framework, that enables IBM Power System I (IBM AS/400, IBM iSeries) programmers to embrace new web technologies.
 +
| Free / Open Source
 
| Yes
 
| Yes
−
| Depends on product options
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
| [[Lansa ...]]
+
| [[Renaissance Framework]]
−
| [http://www.lansa.com/products/webdevelopment.htm Lansa]
+
| [http://www.renaissanceframework.com/ CoralTree Systems]
−
| Long-time tool vendor has an extensive options for rapid application development for IBM i and other platforms.
+
| A Framework of RPG ILE programs, service programs, Javascript and HTML designed to enable developers to quickly and easily build high-quality browser-based intranet applications for the IBM i server. Integrated tools such jQuery, JDBC  and others created by the Coraltree team, encapsulated in RPG procedures which avoid the hassle of working directly with HTML, CSS and Javascript.
 +
| Free / Open Source
 +
| No
 +
|-
 +
| [[RPG x Tools]]
 +
| [http://www.rpgxtools.com/index.html Bob Cozzi]
 +
| Support for CGI interfaces. If you had COZTOOLS, you'd be done by now!
 
| Commercial
 
| Commercial
 
| Yes
 
| Yes
−
| Yes
 
−
| Yes
 
−
| HTML / CSS / JavaScript / SQL / Etc.
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
| [[eRPG SDK]]
 
| [[eRPG SDK]]
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| Commercial
 
| Commercial
 
| Yes
 
| Yes
−
| Yes, conversion not automated
+
|-
 +
| [[CGIDEV2]]
 +
| [http://www.easy400.net Easy400]
 +
| CGIDEV2 is a free and open source IBM i based program development toolkit that facilitates the development of interactive web-based programs using RPG ILE or Cobol (using the older CGIDEV version) as the back-end Common Gateway Interface language. The functionality of this toolset is incorporated into an RPG ILE program by means of a service program that contains all of the procedures required to read input from a browser, generate and send the appropriate response back to the browser. CGIDEV2 is commonly used to generate static or interactive HTML/DHTML pages but it can also produce CSV, XML, Excel-XML and other text based files.
 +
| F/OSS
 
| No
 
| No
−
| HTML / CSS / JavaScript / SQL / Etc.
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
| [[Valence]]
+
| [http://www.bcdsoftware.com/power WebSmart ILE]
−
| [http://cnxcorp.com/valence/ Valence]
+
| [http://www.bcdsoftware.com/ BCD]
−
| Valence RPG Toolkit - includes all the tools necessary for RPG programmers to quickly move data to and from the browser. Combine the power and scalability of your IBM i with the user-friendly features of a modern browser interface to create World Class apps for your users.
+
| WebSmart ILE is a rapid application development tool that helps developers create RPG web applications for any business need including mobile. You start with a fully-functioning web application because WebSmart ILE's intelligent DB2, MySQL and MS SQL program templates generate the initial HTML, CSS and RPG for you. Includes HTML tools, interactive debugger, wizard to use RPG business logic and supports modern web technologies including AJAX and jQuery.
−
| Commercial / Free Community Edition
+
| Commercial
 
| Yes
 
| Yes
−
| Yes, conversion not automated
 
−
| Yes, Tool Suite
 
−
| HTML / CSS / JavaScript / ExtJS / SQL / Etc.
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
| [[OpenRPGUI]]
+
|}
−
| [http://openrpgui.com/ OpenRPGUI]
+
 
−
| OpenRPGUI (short for Open Source RPG User Interface) is a free, open source and light weight framework for RPG developers on the IBM i to use for building modern looking applications. We have evaluated the current infrastructure of programming in RPG on IBM i and found that the only thing we significantly lack is an efficient means to communicate with a modern user interface.
+
==Scripting Environments==
 +
 
 +
Runtime environments that enables the quick deployment of Web applications through a mixture of HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Server Script, and APIs.
 +
 
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable sortable" border="1"
 +
|-
 +
! width="100"|Product 
 +
! width="100"|Vendor
 +
! width="300"|Description
 +
! width="100"|Free / Open Source / Commercial
 +
! width="100"|Commercial Support Available
 +
! width="100"|Environment
 +
|-
 +
| [[Ruby on Rails]]
 +
| [http://www.ibmsystemsmag.com/authors/Andrea-Ribuoli/ Andrea Ribuoli]
 +
| Ruby on Rails hit the top 10 list under TIOBE. Resources to help getting ROR to run under PASE
 
| Free / Open Source
 
| Free / Open Source
−
| Yes
 
−
| Yes, conversion not automated
 
 
| No
 
| No
−
| HTML / CSS / JavaScript / ExtJS / SQL / Etc.
+
| Interpreted / PASE
 
|-
 
|-
−
| [[powerEXT]]
+
| [[Ruby on Rails]]
−
| [http://powerext.com powerEXT]
+
| [http://powerruby.com PowerRuby]
−
| powerEXT Framework is an Open Source RPGLE based Application Framework, that enables IBM Power System I (IBM AS/400, IBM iSeries) programmers to embrace new web technologies.
+
| In [http://powerruby.com/powerrubyannouncementsmakesnews/ partnership] with IBM, a commercially supported port of the Ruby MRI implementation.  Includes Ruby 1.9.3/2.0.0 and Rails 3.2.14/4.0.0.
 
| Free / Open Source
 
| Free / Open Source
 
| Yes
 
| Yes
−
| Yes, conversion not automated
+
| Interpreted / PASE
 +
|-
 +
| [[LANSA Open for .NET]]
 +
| [http://www.lansa.com/products/lansa-open-net-provider.htm LANSA]
 +
| <ul><li>A Visual Studio plugin, LANSA Open for .NET provides .NET developers the means to incorporate IBM i services (including data and programs) in Windows rich-client and Web applications. Developers view IBM i data and programs as resources within Visual Studio.<li>Faster and more secure than ODBC. Unlike basic table I/O applications, all client applications are automatically subjected to rigorous IBM i security checks, data validation and referential integrity checks. Additional resources like APIs, data areas, data queues, etc. can also be accessed directly from Visual Studio.<li>Small footprint – deploys as a single DLL within your .NET applications. Secure encryption between the Windows and IBM i platforms using industry standard DES or Twofish.
 +
| Commercial
 +
| Yes
 +
| ILE
 +
|-
 +
| [[Net.Data for i]]
 +
| [http://www-03.ibm.com/systems/i/software/netdata/index.html IBM]
 +
| Seductively simple scripting environment makes it easy to create Web interfaces that connect to IBM i DB and native programming environments with exceptional error handling.
 +
| Bundled w/ IBM i
 +
| Yes
 +
| Interpreted / ILE
 +
|-
 +
| [[PHP]]
 +
| [http://www.zend.com/en/products/server/zend-server-ibm-i Zend]
 +
| PHP is an open source general-purpose server-side scripting language originally designed for Web development to produce dynamic Web pages and is the engine behind this page. 
 +
| F/OSS or Commercial
 
| Yes
 
| Yes
−
| HTML / CSS / JavaScript / ExtJS / SQL / Etc.
+
| Interpreted / PASE
 +
|-
 +
| [[RSP (RPG Server Pages)]]
 +
| [http://www.damontech.com/ Damon Technologies]
 +
| RSP is a Web Application Server built specifically for the IBM i™. The RSP server is built for efficiency. Web pages are served quickly and efficiently. This is because the language that drives RSP is RPG, the primary language used on the IBM i™.  RSP includes a graphical editor built on Eclipse.  This provides for easy integration of the editor into Rational Developer for Power Systems (RDp)
 +
| Commercial
 +
| Yes
 +
| JIT Compilation / ILE
 
|-
 
|-
 
| [[IceBreak]]
 
| [[IceBreak]]
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| Commercial / Free Commmunity Edition / Free Trial
 
| Commercial / Free Commmunity Edition / Free Trial
 
| Yes
 
| Yes
−
| Yes, conversion not automated
+
| JIT Compilation / ILE
−
| No
+
|}
−
| HTML / CSS / JavaScript / ExtJS / SQL / Etc.
+
 
 +
==Application Generators / Utilities / DB Inquiry / Maintenance / Dashboards==
 +
 
 +
Tools offering extreme productivity and quick application generation using meta data based utilities, program models, templates, and such (where little or no programming required).
 +
 
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable sortable" border="1"
 +
|-
 +
! width="100"|Product
 +
! width="100"|Vendor
 +
! width="300"|Description
 +
! width="100"|Free / Open Source / Commercial
 +
! width="100"|Commercial Support Available
 +
! width="100"|Runtime
 +
|-
 +
| [[aXes Data Explorer]]
 +
| [http://www.axeslive.com/products/sql-query-tool.htm LANSA]
 +
| <ul><li>aXes Data Explorer is a DB2 query tool that allows you to build and run queries against IBM i, System i, iSeries or AS/400 DB2 databases from a Web browser. Query DB2 tables, print the query results, and/or copy the results into applications like Microsoft Excel. <li>Create and run queries from a browser, save queries, view query results in a Web browser, incorporate query results in applications like Microsoft Excel and Word, and access query results from anywhere.<li>Zero deployment – nothing to download or install on the client computer or device. Supports Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer and Safari
 +
| Commercial
 +
| Yes
 +
| ILE
 +
|-
 +
| [[CA Plex]]
 +
| [http://www.ca.com/us/products/detail/CA-Plex.aspx Computer Associates]
 +
| Develop applications in a Windows environment and then compile and test them in the target environment which might be Windows/.NET, Java/J2EE or the IBM System i.
 +
| Commercial
 +
| Yes
 +
| ?
 
|-
 
|-
−
| [[PHP]]
+
| [[JACi400]]
−
| [http://www.zend.com/en/products/server/zend-server-ibm-i Zend]
+
| [http://www.systemobjects.com/products.html System Objects]
−
| PHP is an open source general-purpose server-side scripting language originally designed for Web development to produce dynamic Web pages
+
| A solution to create up to 100% of the source code of your new web (HTML) applications for your System i and your AS/400.
−
| F/OSS or Commercial
+
| Commercial
 
| Yes
 
| Yes
−
| Optional not F/OSS
+
| ?
−
| No
 
−
| PHP / HTML / CSS / JavaScript
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
| [[ProfoundUI]]
+
| [http://www.bcdsoftware.com/power WebSmart ILE and PHP]
−
| [http://www.profoundlogic.com ProfoundLogic]
+
| [http://www.bcdsoftware.com/ BCD]
−
| Profound UI is a full-featured graphical user interface platform based on IBM's RPG Open Access, the ground-breaking enhancement to RPG that opens IBM i applications (also known as iSeries, System i and AS/400) up to Web interfaces. The platform offers developers an easy, natural method for creating connected IBM i applications that deliver rich user experiences regardless of project complexity or organization size.  
+
| WebSmart is a rapid application development tool that helps RPG and PHP developers create IBM i and multi-platform web applications for any business need including mobile. You start with a fully-functioning web application because WebSmart's intelligent DB2, MySQL, MS SQL and Oracle program templates generate the initial HTML, CSS and RPG or PHP for you. Includes HTML tools, interactive debuggers, wizard to RPG business logic and supports modern web technologies including AJAX and jQuery.
 
| Commercial
 
| Commercial
 
| Yes
 
| Yes
−
| Yes, RPG OA
+
| ILE / PHP
−
| Yes, Drag and drop
 
−
| None
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
| [[RPGsp]]
+
| [[m-power]]
−
| [http://www.profoundlogic.com ProfoundLogic]
+
| [http://www.mrc-productivity.com/index.html michaels, ross & cole, ltd. (mrc)]
−
| RPGsp is an award-winning rapid Web development environment that has been proven and trusted by thousands of IBM i users. Whether you need to extend your existing legacy programs or build new applications, RPGsp can deliver phenomenal results in a short amount of time.  
+
| Build data-driven web applications without programming. m-Power is a web application development platform that lets you create data-driven enterprise web (and mobile) applications without programming. With m-Power, you can: Reduce web application development time by 80%, build web apps using your current staff and skills, automate mobile application development.
 
| Commercial
 
| Commercial
 
| Yes
 
| Yes
−
| Yes, Converter
+
| Java
−
| Yes, Wizards
 
−
| HTML/CSS/JavaScript
 
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| Web Object Wizard ([[WOW]])
 
| Web Object Wizard ([[WOW]])
Line 153: Line 258:
 
| Commercial w/free CE edition available
 
| Commercial w/free CE edition available
 
| Yes
 
| Yes
−
| No
+
| Java
−
| Yes, Wizards
+
|}
−
| SQL
+
 
 +
==Integrated Development Environments==
 +
 
 +
Broadly scoped environments with integrated WYSIWYG Designers / Project Managers / File System Navigators / Wizards / Code Editors / Helps / Tool Tips / Source Control / Change Management.
 +
 
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable sortable" border="1"
 +
|-
 +
! width="100"|Product
 +
! width="100"|Vendor
 +
! width="300"|Description
 +
! width="100"|Free / Open Source / Commercial
 +
! width="100"|Commercial Support Available
 +
|-
 +
| [[Rational Business Developer / EGL]]
 +
| [https://www.ibm.com/developerworks/mydeveloperworks/groups/service/html/communityview?communityUuid=3e2b35ae-d3b1-4008-adee-2b31d4be5c92 IBM]
 +
| Rational Business Developer is a rapid development workbench for delivering cross-platform web and service-oriented applications. EGL is a higher-level programming language designed for simplifying development of modern business applications and services. EGL code compiles into COBOL, Java, and JavaScript, which means it can be deployed to a wide variety of environments (for example, enterprise systems, application servers, web browsers). EGL frees developers to focus on the business problem rather than on the details of the target runtime platforms and associated middleware. EGL is ideal for business-oriented development teams that value ease of learning and need to quickly deliver modern applications and services.
 +
| Commercial / FOSS Version
 +
| Yes
 +
|-
 +
| [[Visual LANSA]]
 +
| [http://www.lansa.com/products/web-development.htm LANSA]
 +
| <ul><li>Visual LANSA includes Web development tools that rapidly build Web applications for use on desktop, laptop or mobile devices. Visual LANSA insulates developers from the technical complexities of Web development, allowing them to focus on building database driven Web applications that satisfy business requirements.<li>With LANSA's tools, developers can create Web applications using one of many wizards, LANSA's visual application framework, or code from scratch. Developers use LANSA's high-level business-focused language, called RDML, to build industry standard Web and mobile applications by creating and/or reusing application components supplied with Visual LANSA.<li>The RDML language can also be used to build native Apple and Android mobile apps, Windows rich-client applications, and 5250 programs.</ul>
 +
| Commercial
 +
| Yes
 +
|-
 +
| [[RPGsp]]
 +
| [http://www.profoundlogic.com ProfoundLogic]
 +
| RPGsp is an award-winning rapid Web development environment that has been proven and trusted by thousands of IBM i users. Whether you need to extend your existing legacy programs or build new applications, RPGsp can deliver phenomenal results in a short amount of time. Wizards & Converters.
 +
| Commercial
 +
| Yes
 +
|-
 +
| [[Rational Application Developer for Websphere]]
 +
| [http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/downloads/r/rad/ IBM Rational]
 +
| IBM® Rational® Application Developer for WebSphere® Software helps developers quickly design, develop, test, analyze, and deploy high-quality Java™, Java Platform, Enterprise Edition (Java EE), Web 2.0, service-oriented architecture (SOA), and portal applications.
 +
| Commercial
 +
| Yes
 +
|-
 +
| [[Microsoft Visual Studio]]
 +
| [http://www.microsoft.com Microsoft]
 +
| Visual Studio is a development environment for creating ASP.Net web applications and web services that can run on the Microsoft IIS web server or natively on IBM i using Apache Tomcat and the Mainsoft Grasshopper environment available from [http://dev.mainsoft.com Mainsoft]. Can utilize the IBM i Access database drivers, JT400/IKVM as well as the XMLSERVICE program for IBM i resource access. Developers can also quickly create jQuery Mobile web applications to enable mobile access to their IBM i data and create powerful web services that can be used from any platform. Support for HTML / CSS / JavaScript / C# / VB.Net / RPG / CL.
 +
| FREE Visual Studio Express available. [http://www.microsoft.com/express VisualStudioExpress] Mainsoft development environment [http://dev.mainsoft.com Mainsoft]. Commercial version of Visual Studio [http://www.microsoft.com/visualstudio VisualStudio].
 +
| Yes - from Microsoft, Mainsoft or IBM i specific development training can be obtained from companies such as RJS Software Systems [http://www.rjssoftware.com RJSSoftware] and other 3rd party vendors. Feel free to email Richard Schoen - [mailto:richard@rjssoftware.com RichardSchoen] with any IBM i specific questions when Visual Studio is used in conjunction with IBM i to augment or extend existing applications. Any others who are supporting Visual Studio, please list yourselves here. Training and utilities provided by RJS Software Systems and others.
 +
|-
 +
| [http://www.bcdsoftware.com/power WebSmart ILE and PHP]
 +
| [http://www.bcdsoftware.com/ BCD]
 +
| WebSmart is a rapid application development tool that helps RPG and PHP developers create IBM i and multi-platform web applications for any business need including mobile. You start with a fully-functioning web application because WebSmart's intelligent DB2, MySQL, MS SQL and Oracle program templates generate the initial HTML, CSS and RPG or PHP for you. The WebSmart IDE includes HTML tools, interactive debuggers, wizard to use RPG business logic and supports modern web technologies including AJAX and jQuery.
 +
| Commercial
 +
| Yes
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
==Browser Based UI Frameworks and Rendering Engines==
 +
 
 +
Frameworks and rendering engines that transform JSON to DOM elements (or similar); providing support for compelling styles, visual effects, and behaviors, as alternatives to (or in conjunction with) home-grown HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable sortable" border="1"
 +
|-
 +
! width="100"|Product
 +
! width="100"|Vendor
 +
! width="300"|Description
 +
! width="100"|Free / Open Source / Commercial
 +
! width="100"|Commercial Support Available
 +
|-
 +
| [[ExtJS]]
 +
| [http://www.sencha.com/products/extjs/ Sencha]
 +
| Ext JS offers an extraordinary range of user interface widgets. High performance scalable grids, trees, menus, and more. If you need it, we've probably already built it. And even if it's not in the core library, you're almost certain to find it in the thousands of user extensions from our million-strong Sencha community.
 +
| Free / Open Source / Commercial
 +
| Yes
 +
|-
 +
| [[Dojo UI Widgets]]
 +
| [http://dojotoolkit.org/widgets Dojo]
 +
| Dojo's Dijit and DojoX provides a complete collection of user interface controls, giving you the power to create web applications that are highly optimized for usability, performance, internationalization, accessibility, but above all deliver an incredible user experience. Completely free and open-source with no strings attached or licenses to buy!
 +
| Free / Open Source
 +
| Yes
 
|-
 
|-
−
| [[CGIDEV2]]
+
| [[jQuery UI]]
−
| [http://www.easy400.net Easy400]
+
| [http://jqueryui.com/ jQuery]
−
| CGIDEV2 is a free and open source IBM i based program development toolkit that facilitates the development of interactive web-based programs using RPG ILE or Cobol (using the older CGIDEV version) as the back-end Common Gateway Interface language. The functionality of this toolset is incorporated into an RPG ILE program by means of a service program that contains all of the procedures required to read input from a browser, generate and send the appropriate response back to the browser. CGIDEV2 is commonly used to generate static or interactive HTML/DHTML pages but it can also produce CSV, XML, Excel-XML and other text based files.
+
| jQuery UI is a curated set of user interface interactions, effects, widgets, and themes built on top of the jQuery JavaScript Library. Whether you're building highly interactive web applications or you just need to add a date picker to a form control, jQuery UI is the perfect choice.
−
| F/OSS
+
| Free / Open Source
−
| No
+
| Yes
−
| No
 
−
| Yes, via [http://www.renaissanceframework.com Renaissance Framework]
 
−
| HTML / CSS / JavaScript
 
 
|}
 
|}
 +
  
  
 
{{stub}}
 
{{stub}}
−
==Categories==
 
−
[[Category:Programming languages]]
 
−
[[Category:Web]]
 
−
[[Category:GUI]]
 

Latest revision as of 21:50, 6 December 2013



Green Screen Emulation / Conversion / Open Access Options

Tools that leverage existing green-screen interfaces and offer emulation or a quick migration path to browser user interfaces with little or no programming required.


Product / Language Vendor Description Free / Open Source / Commercial Commercial Support Available Runtime
aXes LANSA aXes transforms RPG and COBOL 5250 programs into Rich Internet Applications accessible via multiple Web Browsers on multiple devices (including mobiles) — without having to change a single line of code. aXes runs in a standard Web browser without installing any software or ActiveX controls on the client device. All web apps are served off the IBM i, no Windows servers required. Commercial Yes ILE
PSC/400 Pluta Brothers Design Converts your screens into two standard UI types: green screen and gray screen. The green screen acts as a replacement for the standard 5250 display, and requires no HTML skills on your part and no retraining for your programmers or your end users. A simple conversion and you're on the web. If you then choose to deploy a more "web-like" appearance, your HTML developers can customize the generated gray screen in whatever way they see fit. Commercial Yes Java
ProfoundUI ProfoundLogic Profound UI is a full-featured graphical user interface platform based on IBM's RPG Open Access, the ground-breaking enhancement to RPG that opens IBM i applications (also known as iSeries, System i and AS/400) up to Web interfaces. The platform offers developers an easy, natural method for creating connected IBM i applications that deliver rich user experiences regardless of project complexity or organization size. Commercial Yes ILE
openlook Look Software Thousands of organizations have worked with us to deliver excellent user experience. Whether you're refacing, integrating, mobilizing, extending or developing new IBM i applications, we have the experience and dedication to guarantee your success. Commercial Yes ILE
HATS / Webfacing IBM Rational Quickly transform your 3270 and 5250 green screen applications to intuitive Web, portlet, rich client or mobile device user interfaces, and extend 3270, 5250, and VT green screens as standard Web services. Commercial Yes Java
Presto BCD Presto gives all of your 5250 green screen applications a rich web GUI without requiring any changes to your RPG, COBOL or DDS source. Upon installation, all of your green screens are instantly accessible from browsers on PCs, tablets and smartphones. Further enhance the look and add new functionality using Presto’s Visual Editor or access the HTML, CSS and JavaScript for full control over the UI. Commercial Yes ILE
IceCap System & Method IceCap adds immediately an intuitive web interface to your existing RPG, COBOL and CL programs. The new interface adds a wide range of integration opportunities. Commercial / Free Trial Yes ILE

ILE CGI Frameworks

Frameworks providing support for HTTP interfaces, including support for HTML / CSS / JavaScript / XML / JSON / ExtJS / JQuery / and similar client technologies via ILE APIs and related tooling.


Product Vendor Description Free / Open Source / Commercial Commercial Support Available
Valence CNX Corporation Valence RPG Toolkit - includes all the tools necessary for RPG programmers to quickly move data to and from the browser. Combine the power and scalability of your IBM i with the user-friendly features of a modern browser interface to create World Class apps for your users. Commercial / Free Community Edition Yes
Visual LANSA Framework LANSA The Visual LANSA Framework minimizes the effort required for designers and developers to create graphical and robust Web applications that run on the IBM i. The application framework allows developers to assemble commercial grade enterprise software rapidly with minimal coding, generating high quality business applications with a consistent appearance and behavior. Commercial Yes
OpenRPGUI OpenRPGUI OpenRPGUI (short for Open Source RPG User Interface) is a free, open source and light weight framework for RPG developers on the IBM i to use for building modern looking applications. We have evaluated the current infrastructure of programming in RPG on IBM i and found that the only thing we significantly lack is an efficient means to communicate with a modern user interface. Free / Open Source Yes
powerEXT powerEXT powerEXT Framework is an Open Source RPGLE based Application Framework, that enables IBM Power System I (IBM AS/400, IBM iSeries) programmers to embrace new web technologies. Free / Open Source Yes
Renaissance Framework CoralTree Systems A Framework of RPG ILE programs, service programs, Javascript and HTML designed to enable developers to quickly and easily build high-quality browser-based intranet applications for the IBM i server. Integrated tools such jQuery, JDBC and others created by the Coraltree team, encapsulated in RPG procedures which avoid the hassle of working directly with HTML, CSS and Javascript. Free / Open Source No
RPG x Tools Bob Cozzi Support for CGI interfaces. If you had COZTOOLS, you'd be done by now! Commercial Yes
eRPG SDK BVS Tools The eRPG SDK uses simple templates to create dynamic content from within your RPG programs. This means that no longer will you have to hard-code any HTML, XML, or any other markup language inside of your RPG programs. Using simple replacement variables you are able to call functions within the eRPG SDK to quickly and easily create dynamic content on the web! Commercial Yes
CGIDEV2 Easy400 CGIDEV2 is a free and open source IBM i based program development toolkit that facilitates the development of interactive web-based programs using RPG ILE or Cobol (using the older CGIDEV version) as the back-end Common Gateway Interface language. The functionality of this toolset is incorporated into an RPG ILE program by means of a service program that contains all of the procedures required to read input from a browser, generate and send the appropriate response back to the browser. CGIDEV2 is commonly used to generate static or interactive HTML/DHTML pages but it can also produce CSV, XML, Excel-XML and other text based files. F/OSS No
WebSmart ILE BCD WebSmart ILE is a rapid application development tool that helps developers create RPG web applications for any business need including mobile. You start with a fully-functioning web application because WebSmart ILE's intelligent DB2, MySQL and MS SQL program templates generate the initial HTML, CSS and RPG for you. Includes HTML tools, interactive debugger, wizard to use RPG business logic and supports modern web technologies including AJAX and jQuery. Commercial Yes

Scripting Environments

Runtime environments that enables the quick deployment of Web applications through a mixture of HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Server Script, and APIs.


Product Vendor Description Free / Open Source / Commercial Commercial Support Available Environment
Ruby on Rails Andrea Ribuoli Ruby on Rails hit the top 10 list under TIOBE. Resources to help getting ROR to run under PASE Free / Open Source No Interpreted / PASE
Ruby on Rails PowerRuby In partnership with IBM, a commercially supported port of the Ruby MRI implementation. Includes Ruby 1.9.3/2.0.0 and Rails 3.2.14/4.0.0. Free / Open Source Yes Interpreted / PASE
LANSA Open for .NET LANSA
  • A Visual Studio plugin, LANSA Open for .NET provides .NET developers the means to incorporate IBM i services (including data and programs) in Windows rich-client and Web applications. Developers view IBM i data and programs as resources within Visual Studio.
  • Faster and more secure than ODBC. Unlike basic table I/O applications, all client applications are automatically subjected to rigorous IBM i security checks, data validation and referential integrity checks. Additional resources like APIs, data areas, data queues, etc. can also be accessed directly from Visual Studio.
  • Small footprint – deploys as a single DLL within your .NET applications. Secure encryption between the Windows and IBM i platforms using industry standard DES or Twofish.
Commercial Yes ILE
Net.Data for i IBM Seductively simple scripting environment makes it easy to create Web interfaces that connect to IBM i DB and native programming environments with exceptional error handling. Bundled w/ IBM i Yes Interpreted / ILE
PHP Zend PHP is an open source general-purpose server-side scripting language originally designed for Web development to produce dynamic Web pages and is the engine behind this page. F/OSS or Commercial Yes Interpreted / PASE
RSP (RPG Server Pages) Damon Technologies RSP is a Web Application Server built specifically for the IBM i™. The RSP server is built for efficiency. Web pages are served quickly and efficiently. This is because the language that drives RSP is RPG, the primary language used on the IBM i™. RSP includes a graphical editor built on Eclipse. This provides for easy integration of the editor into Rational Developer for Power Systems (RDp) Commercial Yes JIT Compilation / ILE
IceBreak System & Method IceBreak is the only native Web and Application Server for RPG and Cobol on IBM i™. Is easy to learn because you can reuse existing legacy business logic and programming skills. IceBreak creates genuine IBM i™ objects with no additional scripting or overhead. The innovative technology allows an easy integration and web enablement of existing 5250 applications. With IceBreak you can build any type of web application – and integrate to any web based solution or unit. Is delivered with a built-in Web Server and Web Application Server. It’s easy to install – no additional software, hardware or configuration is needed. Commercial / Free Commmunity Edition / Free Trial Yes JIT Compilation / ILE

Application Generators / Utilities / DB Inquiry / Maintenance / Dashboards

Tools offering extreme productivity and quick application generation using meta data based utilities, program models, templates, and such (where little or no programming required).


Product Vendor Description Free / Open Source / Commercial Commercial Support Available Runtime
aXes Data Explorer LANSA
  • aXes Data Explorer is a DB2 query tool that allows you to build and run queries against IBM i, System i, iSeries or AS/400 DB2 databases from a Web browser. Query DB2 tables, print the query results, and/or copy the results into applications like Microsoft Excel.
  • Create and run queries from a browser, save queries, view query results in a Web browser, incorporate query results in applications like Microsoft Excel and Word, and access query results from anywhere.
  • Zero deployment – nothing to download or install on the client computer or device. Supports Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer and Safari
Commercial Yes ILE
CA Plex Computer Associates Develop applications in a Windows environment and then compile and test them in the target environment which might be Windows/.NET, Java/J2EE or the IBM System i. Commercial Yes  ?
JACi400 System Objects A solution to create up to 100% of the source code of your new web (HTML) applications for your System i and your AS/400. Commercial Yes  ?
WebSmart ILE and PHP BCD WebSmart is a rapid application development tool that helps RPG and PHP developers create IBM i and multi-platform web applications for any business need including mobile. You start with a fully-functioning web application because WebSmart's intelligent DB2, MySQL, MS SQL and Oracle program templates generate the initial HTML, CSS and RPG or PHP for you. Includes HTML tools, interactive debuggers, wizard to RPG business logic and supports modern web technologies including AJAX and jQuery. Commercial Yes ILE / PHP
m-power michaels, ross & cole, ltd. (mrc) Build data-driven web applications without programming. m-Power is a web application development platform that lets you create data-driven enterprise web (and mobile) applications without programming. With m-Power, you can: Reduce web application development time by 80%, build web apps using your current staff and skills, automate mobile application development. Commercial Yes Java
Web Object Wizard (WOW) planetJCorp WOW creates data driven business applications using data from IBM DB2, SQL Server, Oracle, MYSQL and other RDBMS. WOW runs on application servers such as IBM Websphere, Apache Tomcat, and Weblogic. Commercial w/free CE edition available Yes Java

Integrated Development Environments

Broadly scoped environments with integrated WYSIWYG Designers / Project Managers / File System Navigators / Wizards / Code Editors / Helps / Tool Tips / Source Control / Change Management.


Product Vendor Description Free / Open Source / Commercial Commercial Support Available
Rational Business Developer / EGL IBM Rational Business Developer is a rapid development workbench for delivering cross-platform web and service-oriented applications. EGL is a higher-level programming language designed for simplifying development of modern business applications and services. EGL code compiles into COBOL, Java, and JavaScript, which means it can be deployed to a wide variety of environments (for example, enterprise systems, application servers, web browsers). EGL frees developers to focus on the business problem rather than on the details of the target runtime platforms and associated middleware. EGL is ideal for business-oriented development teams that value ease of learning and need to quickly deliver modern applications and services. Commercial / FOSS Version Yes
Visual LANSA LANSA
  • Visual LANSA includes Web development tools that rapidly build Web applications for use on desktop, laptop or mobile devices. Visual LANSA insulates developers from the technical complexities of Web development, allowing them to focus on building database driven Web applications that satisfy business requirements.
  • With LANSA's tools, developers can create Web applications using one of many wizards, LANSA's visual application framework, or code from scratch. Developers use LANSA's high-level business-focused language, called RDML, to build industry standard Web and mobile applications by creating and/or reusing application components supplied with Visual LANSA.
  • The RDML language can also be used to build native Apple and Android mobile apps, Windows rich-client applications, and 5250 programs.
 Commercial Yes
RPGsp ProfoundLogic RPGsp is an award-winning rapid Web development environment that has been proven and trusted by thousands of IBM i users. Whether you need to extend your existing legacy programs or build new applications, RPGsp can deliver phenomenal results in a short amount of time. Wizards & Converters. Commercial Yes
Rational Application Developer for Websphere IBM Rational IBM® Rational® Application Developer for WebSphere® Software helps developers quickly design, develop, test, analyze, and deploy high-quality Java™, Java Platform, Enterprise Edition (Java EE), Web 2.0, service-oriented architecture (SOA), and portal applications. Commercial Yes
Microsoft Visual Studio Microsoft Visual Studio is a development environment for creating ASP.Net web applications and web services that can run on the Microsoft IIS web server or natively on IBM i using Apache Tomcat and the Mainsoft Grasshopper environment available from Mainsoft. Can utilize the IBM i Access database drivers, JT400/IKVM as well as the XMLSERVICE program for IBM i resource access. Developers can also quickly create jQuery Mobile web applications to enable mobile access to their IBM i data and create powerful web services that can be used from any platform. Support for HTML / CSS / JavaScript / C# / VB.Net / RPG / CL. FREE Visual Studio Express available. VisualStudioExpress Mainsoft development environment Mainsoft. Commercial version of Visual Studio VisualStudio. Yes - from Microsoft, Mainsoft or IBM i specific development training can be obtained from companies such as RJS Software Systems RJSSoftware and other 3rd party vendors. Feel free to email Richard Schoen - RichardSchoen with any IBM i specific questions when Visual Studio is used in conjunction with IBM i to augment or extend existing applications. Any others who are supporting Visual Studio, please list yourselves here. Training and utilities provided by RJS Software Systems and others.
WebSmart ILE and PHP BCD WebSmart is a rapid application development tool that helps RPG and PHP developers create IBM i and multi-platform web applications for any business need including mobile. You start with a fully-functioning web application because WebSmart's intelligent DB2, MySQL, MS SQL and Oracle program templates generate the initial HTML, CSS and RPG or PHP for you. The WebSmart IDE includes HTML tools, interactive debuggers, wizard to use RPG business logic and supports modern web technologies including AJAX and jQuery. Commercial Yes

Browser Based UI Frameworks and Rendering Engines

Frameworks and rendering engines that transform JSON to DOM elements (or similar); providing support for compelling styles, visual effects, and behaviors, as alternatives to (or in conjunction with) home-grown HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

Product Vendor Description Free / Open Source / Commercial Commercial Support Available
ExtJS Sencha Ext JS offers an extraordinary range of user interface widgets. High performance scalable grids, trees, menus, and more. If you need it, we've probably already built it. And even if it's not in the core library, you're almost certain to find it in the thousands of user extensions from our million-strong Sencha community. Free / Open Source / Commercial Yes
Dojo UI Widgets Dojo Dojo's Dijit and DojoX provides a complete collection of user interface controls, giving you the power to create web applications that are highly optimized for usability, performance, internationalization, accessibility, but above all deliver an incredible user experience. Completely free and open-source with no strings attached or licenses to buy! Free / Open Source Yes
jQuery UI jQuery jQuery UI is a curated set of user interface interactions, effects, widgets, and themes built on top of the jQuery JavaScript Library. Whether you're building highly interactive web applications or you just need to add a date picker to a form control, jQuery UI is the perfect choice. Free / Open Source Yes



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