Difference between revisions of "Rational Developer"

Latest revision as of 13:59, 28 September 2021

IBM Rational Software Delivery Platform for System i is informally referred to by the acronym RDi

Version history

Rational Developer'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.

Rational Developer version	i5/OS V5R3	i5/OS V5R4	IBM i v6.1	IBM i v7.1	IBM i v7.2	IBM i v7.3	Client OS
V7.1	Yes	Yes	Yes	?	?	?	Windows
V7.5	Yes	Yes	Yes	?	?	?	Windows
V7.6	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	?	?	Windows
V8.0	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	?	?	Windows & Linux
V8.0.3	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	?	?	Windows & Linux
V9.0	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	?	?	Windows & Linux
V9.1	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	?	Windows & Linux
V9.5	No	No	?	Yes	Yes	Yes (9.5.0.3)	Windows, macOS & Linux
V9.6	No	No	?	Yes	Yes	Yes	Windows, macOS, Red Hat Enterprise Linux

Note: 9.5.0.3 supports Windows 10

RDi 9.0 will reach End of Support on 2019-04-30

RDi 9.1 will reach End of Support on 2019-04-30

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 9.5 and beyond allows you to check for new fixpacks. Help > Check for Rational Developer for i updates

RDi version	Release notes	Release date
9.6.0.1	Rational Developer for i V9.6.0.1 fixpack is now available plus Data Studio V4.1.3!	2017-12-15
9.6.0.2	Rational Developer for i V9.6.0.2 fixpack is now available! (Has memory leak - install Fixpack 3)	2018-05-02
9.6.0.3	Rational Developer for i V9.6.0.3 fixpack is now available!	2018-05-15
9.6.0.4	Rational Developer for i V9.6.0.4 fixpack is now available!	2018-07-31
9.6.0.5	Rational Developer for i V9.6.0.5 fixpack is now available!	2018-12-11
9.6.0.6	Rational Developer for i Fix Pack 9.6.0.6 for 9.6	2019-05-28
9.6.0.7	Rational Developer for i Fix Pack 9.6.0.7 for 9.6	2020-02-06
9.6.0.8	Rational Developer for i Fix Pack 9.6.0.8 for 9.6	2020-04-30
9.6.0.9
9.6.0.10	Rational Developer for i Fix Pack 9.6.0.10 for 9.6	2021-02-09
9.6.0.11	Rational Developer for i Fix Pack 9.6.0.11 for 9.6	2021-09-08

RDi version	Release notes	Release date
9.5.0.1	Fix Pack 1 IBM Rational Developer for i Hub
9.5.0.2	Fix Pack 2 IBM Rational Developer for i Hub
9.5.0.3	Fix Pack 3 IBM Rational Developer for i Hub	2016-04-21
9.5.1.0	Mod Pack 1 IBM Rational Developer for i Hub
9.5.1.1	Rational Developer for i V9.5.1.1 fixpack is now available!	2016-12-22
9.5.1.2	Rational Developer for i V9.5.1.2 fixpack is now available!	2017-04-13

RDi version	ZIP	Release notes	Full details
9.1.1	ZIP not yet available	Fix list	RDi - IBM Rational Developer for i Hub
9.1.1.1	ZIP not yet available	Fix list	Rational Developer for i Fix Pack 9.1.1.1 for 9.1

RDi version	ZIP	Release notes	Full details
9.0.1	ZIP not yet available	Release notes	RD Power Hub

RD Power version	ZIP	Release notes	Full details
8.0.0.1	ZIP	Release notes	RD Power Hub

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
7.6.0.2	Download	README	RPG Café

RDi Fix list

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.

Licencing

July 2018 There are two license types:

Authorized User (Activation kit)
- Allows a single user access to the software on any computer or server where installed. This license cannot be shared with other persons.
- Version limited - works for one specific major version of RDi (ie 9.5, 9.6)

Floating User single install (Floating)
- Licensed for a pool of unnamed users, but can only be installed on one system. Priced by number of users.
- Requires Rational License Key Manager to serve up the keys to the client.
- Time-limited - renews periodically.

Source: What types of licenses are available for RDi?

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.

As of 4 Oct 2013, IBM have a web site where one can check pricing and order by credit card if desired: http://www-03.ibm.com/software/products/us/en/dev-ibm-i/

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.

Perspectives

RDi comes with several Perspectives (see RDi terminology for an explanation of terms). Third-party Perspectives can be installed via the Eclipse Plug-in mechanism (see below).

Perspective name	Purpose
RSE (Remote System Explorer)	Connection / library drill-down, Editor, Outline
Debug	Debugging editor, Outline, Variables, Breakpoints, Monitors
Database Development	Data Source navigator, Editor, SQL Results
i Projects	Offline editing. Project navigator, Remote System navigator, Editor, Outline

Plug-ins

RDi, like WDSC can be modified by programmers. The Eclipse platform provides a mechanism called extensions. Writing a plug-in 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?

Available plug-ins

Several plug-ins are available especially for IBM i programmers. In addition, any plug-in that is compatible with the base Eclipse version can be installed via Help -> Install new software.

Installation Issues

After installing, there is a separate step to apply the licence. How to get the Activation Key to license RDi (DeveloperWorks wiki)

Additional installation information.

Windows 7

Due to changes in the Windows OS, Rational Developer applications cannot be installed in "Virtualized" directories unless you run the application with administrative privileges. The default application directory in Windows, "Program Files" (and "Program files (x86)"), are virtualized.

If you install the Rational Developer applications in those virtualized directories you will have to launch the application by right-clicking on the shortcut and select "Run as administrator".

Alternatively, you can install the application in another directory on the system that is not virtualized. Any directory you create off the root will not be virtualized.

Windows 10

IBM announced support for Windows 10 beginning with RDi 9.5, fixpack 3 (9.5.0.3) released 21 April 2016.

Linux

Depending on how you copied the installer to your linux system, you might have to adjust permissions on some of the files.
- Add execute permissions to InstallerImage_linux/jre_5.0.3.sr8a_20080811b/jre/bin/java
- Add execute permissions to InstallerImage_linux/install
On Ubuntu 64 bit, if you have 64 bit Java and JVM ends with exit code 13 when installing, you can try this: edit file install.ini and change the line that reads "jre_5.0.3.sr8a_20080811b/jre/bin/java" to "./jre_5.0.3.sr8a_20080811b/jre/bin/java".

TCP/IP ports used

RDi uses TCP/IP to communicate to IBM i. The base set of ports in use come from the Java Toolbox for i. An additional set of ports are used by RDi itself for functions like debugger callback and interactive job support.

RDi TCP/IP port list
Port name	Port	SSL port	Purpose
drda	446	448	RSE, Record level access
as-srvmap	449	-	RSE
Integrated i Debugger	3825	-	Debugger
STRRSESVR	4300	-	Interactive job support
as-central	8470	9470	RSE
as-database	8471	9471	-
as-dtaq	8472	9472	Interactive job support
as-file	8473	9473	IFS (optional)
as-netprt	8474	9474	-
as-rmtcmd	8475	9475	RSE
as-signon	8476	9476	RSE

Remote System Explorer functions: including filtering, editing, compiling, and running: 8470, 8475, 8476, 446, 449 Integrated File System (IFS) access: 8473 Interactive job support (via the STRRSESVR command): 8472

WDSC 7.0 & RDi 7.1

It is possible to install WDSC 7.0 & RDi 7.1 in Windows 7, although it's been reported that you need the current version of the Installation Manager application. The Installation Manager can be downloaded from http://www-947.ibm.com/support/entry/portal/Downloads/Software/Rational/IBM_Installation_Manager. For more details, see WDSC installation

Silent Install

IBM has provided ways to perform the installation via scripting that eliminates most if not all user interactions. See Rational Developer Silent Install for these scripts and a quick readme file.

External links

IBM

Rational Developer for i home page (9.6+)
IBM Support -- for finding/submitting support issues (bugs)
RFE - Request For Enhancements Not for bugs. For defects, open a PMR.
Rational Developer for i Product Evolution (tech note 1681378)
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

Notes

For bugs, submit a PMR through the IBM Support web site. Or, call 1-800-IBM-SERV in the US. The support page as of September 2021 is NOT specific to RDi. To open a ticket, click 'Open a case' in the upper right corner.

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)

@@ Line 150: / Line 150: @@
 | [https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/6198832 Rational Developer for i Fix Pack 9.6.0.8 for 9.6]
 | 2020-04-30
+|-
+| 9.6.0.9
+|
+|
+|-
+| 9.6.0.10
+| [https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/6412165?myns=swgrat&mynp=OCSSAE4W&mync=E&cm_sp=swgrat-_-OCSSAE4W-_-E#FIXLIST Rational Developer for i Fix Pack 9.6.0.10 for 9.6]
+| 2021-02-09
+|-
+| 9.6.0.11
+| [https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/6486155 Rational Developer for i Fix Pack 9.6.0.11 for 9.6]
+| 2021-09-08
 |}
@@ Line 456: / Line 468: @@
 ==External links==
 ===IBM===
-* [http://www-03.ibm.com/software/products/us/en/dev-ibm-i/ Rational Developer for i] home page (9.0+)
+* [https://www.ibm.com/products/rational-developer-for-i Rational Developer for i] home page (9.6+)
+* [https://www.ibm.com/mysupport/ IBM Support] -- for finding/submitting support issues (bugs)
 * [https://www.ibm.com/developerworks/rfe/execute?use_case=changeRequestLanding&BRAND_ID=352&PROD_ID=195&x=20&y=15 RFE - Request For Enhancements]  Not for bugs.  For defects, open a PMR.
 * [http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21681378&myns=swgrat&mynp=OCSSAE4W&mync=E&cm_sp=swgrat-_-OCSSAE4W-_-E Rational Developer for i Product Evolution (tech note 1681378)]
-* [https://www.ibm.com/developerworks/community/forums/html/forum?id=11111111-0000-0000-0000-000000002285 RDi forum on DeveloperWorks]
-* [http://www-01.ibm.com/software/rational/products/rdp/ Rational Developer for Power Systems Software] home page (7.6+)
-* [http://www-01.ibm.com/software/awdtools/developer/rdi/ Rational Developer for System i] home page (7.5+)
-* IBM Rational Developer for System i [http://www-306.ibm.com/software/awdtools/rdi/ RDi home page] (7.1)
-* IBM Rational Software Delivery Platform for System i [http://www-306.ibm.com/software/rational/announce/systems/i/ announcement site]
 * [http://www-01.ibm.com/common/ssi/cgi-bin/ssialias?subtype=ca&infotype=an&appname=iSource&supplier=897&letternum=ENUS208-013 Host tools V6R1 announcement]
 * [http://www-01.ibm.com/common/ssi/cgi-bin/ssialias?subtype=ca&infotype=an&appname=iSource&supplier=897&letternum=ENUS208-016 Client tools V7.1 announcement]
@@ Line 470: / Line 478: @@
 * [http://www.ibm.com/common/ssi/cgi-bin/ssialias?subtype=ca&infotype=an&appname=iSource&supplier=897&letternum=ENUS208-018  HATS for 5250 Applications 7.1 (Preview)]
 * Software Announcement letter [http://www-01.ibm.com/cgi-bin/common/ssi/ssialias?infotype=an&subtype=ca&htmlfid=897/ENUS208-016&appname=isource&language=enus 208-016] 29 Jan 2008
+====Notes====
+For bugs, submit a PMR through the IBM Support web site. Or, call 1-800-IBM-SERV in the US. The support page as of September 2021 is NOT specific to RDi. To open a ticket, click 'Open a case' in the upper right corner.
 ===Industry articles===