17
Wed, Apr
5 New Articles
  1. You are here:  
  2. Home
  3. IT Infrastructure
  4. Operating Systems
  5. IBM i (OS/400, i5/OS)
  6. V5R2 PC5250 Changes and Enhancements

V5R2 PC5250 Changes and Enhancements

Typography
  • Smaller Small Medium Big Bigger
  • Default Helvetica Segoe Georgia Times
It's been awhile since I updated you on the changes to Client Access Express. Oops...I mean Access for Windows PC5250. Yes, if you missed it, in V5R2, Client Access Express changed its name to Access for Windows. And if you missed that name change, you might also have missed the changes to PC5250 functionality in V5R2. Some of these changes make PC5250 easier to use, and some make it harder. But before we get into the harder, let's look at the easier--a new way to start or configure a PC5250 session.

Startup for PC5250

The first thing that jumps out as you move to Access for Windows PC5250 is a the new dialog box (see Figure 1) to start and configure PC5250 sessions. This IBM Personal Communications dialog box (aka the PC5250 Session Manager) allows you to do several things:

  • Start existing sessions
  • Start existing batch files
  • Configure new sessions
  • Configure new batch session files



http://www.mcpressonline.com/articles/images/2002/Update%20on%20V5R2%20PC5250%20Changes%20and%20EnhancementsV400.jpg
Figure 1: The PC5250 Session Manager allows you to start and configure your PC5250 sessions. (Click images to enlarge.)

When you configure a PC5250 session, the icon is always stored in the Session Manager dialog box, so you will no longer be prompted to save sessions as icons on the desktop. You can, however, drag and drop icons from Session Manager onto the desktop.

The Session Manager panel contains existing workstation profiles (.ws) and batch files (.bch). Workstation profiles are yellow; batch files are turquoise. When you right-click on a workstation profile, a pop-up menu allows you to do these things:

  • Start the PC5250 session
  • Delete the workstation profile
  • Hide the icon for the session


When you right-click on a batch file, a pop-up menu allows you to do these things:

  • Start the multiple sessions batch file
  • Modify the batch file via a multiple sessions editor
  • Delete the batch file
  • Hide the icon for the batch file


Because this is a dialog panel, a menu bar provides additional functions.

The File Menu

  • Change--Allows you to change the directory where the batch files and workstation profiles are stored. The default directory is the emulator private directory.
  • Import--Allows workstation profiles and batch files to be copied from a different folder to the PC5250 directory.
  • Exit on Start--If selected, this closes the Session Manager dialog panel when a workstation profile or batch file is started or created.

The Edit Menu

  • Copy--When a workstation profile or batch file is selected, it will be copied from the Session Manager dialog.
  • Paste--Allows you to copy a PC5250 workstation profile or batch file to the Session Manager dialog. An error message will be issued if you attempt to paste another type of file.

The View Menu

  • Show or not show workstation profiles
  • Show or not show batch files
  • Show all files regardless of file extensions, which are either workstation profiles or batch files
  • Show workstation profiles and batch files as large or small icons
  • Show the details, such as system name, system type (iSeries, of course), file type (i.e., workstation profile or batch file), file name, and description
  • Specify the order in which the icons will be displayed


The really cool thing about this dialog box is that you can now use the Windows-type select options. For example, select multiple icons and click on Start to start multiple sessions.

Edit

I'm sure you've all been waiting for easier user interfaces for some of the edit functions that have been delivered over the past couple of releases (initially as workstation parameters only). To set up edit options, go to a PC5250 session from the menu options. Select Edit -> Preferences -> Edit. The Edit Options dialog panel is displayed, a sample of which is shown in Figure 2.

http://www.mcpressonline.com/articles/images/2002/Update%20on%20V5R2%20PC5250%20Changes%20and%20EnhancementsV401.png

Figure 2: The Edit Options dialog includes a Paste tab with new functionality.

Many of the problems that you've had in the past with Edit have been with pasting information to a PC5250 screen. The Paste tab of the Edit options menu can help:

  • Field Wrap--When pasting, any data that falls into a protected field will be moved to the next unprotected field.
  • Line Wrap--In the past, when copying from an editor like Word or WordPro, PC5250 would discard any data that didn't fit on one line. If you check Line Wrap, PC5250 won't throw out what's left in the clipboard when it reaches the end of the line. If you also check Don't Split Words, PC5250 will avoid splitting words when wrapping to the next line.
  • Paste to marked area--This will restrict pasting to a marked area. If no area is marked, the paste will occur at the cursor location.
  • Stop pasting when protected line encountered--If this option is checked, PC5250 will stop pasting data when it encounters a protected field. If not checked, it will continue to paste.
  • Paste data to fields--If you are copying data from a spreadsheet (e.g., Excel or 1-2-3), you might want to have the tabulated text placed in subsequent unprotected fields. By selecting this option, when a tab character is encountered, the following text data will be pasted into the next unprotected field of the emulator session. I recommend, when using this option, to deselect "Field Wrap" option.


Another edit preference, Force Leading +/-, was added under the Cut/Copy tab (see Figure 3). This option will put the plus or minus sign at the front of a signed numeric field. So 25- becomes -25.

http://www.mcpressonline.com/articles/images/2002/Update%20on%20V5R2%20PC5250%20Changes%20and%20EnhancementsV402.png

Figure 3: The Edit Options dialog Cut/Copy tab also offers new functionality.

I've covered items that make PC5250 easier to use in V5R2. Now, let's look at something that makes it harder--or in this case, prevents users from being able to perform some PC5250 functions.

Policies

When I say "harder," I’m talking about the addition of Microsoft policies that can restrict use of PC5250. For V5R2, PC5250 has added support for three new policies:

  • Change Directory--Controls the user's ability to change the Emulator Session Manager directory
  • Import--Controls the user's ability to import emulator profiles in the Emulator Session Manager
  • Delete Session--Controls the user's ability to delete emulator profiles in the Emulator Session Manager


Session Manager will also honor the following policies:

  • Multiple Sessions--Prevents configuration of a multiple sessions batch file
  • Start Session--Prevents configuration of workstation profiles


Just a reminder: PC5250 policies are not cleaned up at uninstall of Access for Windows. So PC5250 policies affect current and future installations of PC5250. Also, if you have the IBM Personal Communications (PCOMM) product and have set up policies with PCOMM, these policies will also apply to Access for Windows PC5250.

It's a Wrap!

I've covered the important items of what IBM has been doing to continue to improve Access for Windows PC5250. Hopefully, you'll find one or more of these items useful.

Becky Schmieding is an IBM Certified Senior Project Manager at IBM Rochester. She is a noted speaker and author on PC5250, and iSeries Navigator and iSeries Access Family products. She can be contacted at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

BLOG COMMENTS POWERED BY DISQUS

LATEST COMMENTS

Support MC Press Online

$0.00 Raised:
$

Book Reviews

Resource Center

  • SB Profound WC 5536 Have you been wondering about Node.js? Our free Node.js Webinar Series takes you from total beginner to creating a fully-functional IBM i Node.js business application. You can find Part 1 here. In Part 2 of our free Node.js Webinar Series, Brian May teaches you the different tooling options available for writing code, debugging, and using Git for version control. Brian will briefly discuss the different tools available, and demonstrate his preferred setup for Node development on IBM i or any platform. Attend this webinar to learn:

  • SB Profound WP 5539More than ever, there is a demand for IT to deliver innovation. Your IBM i has been an essential part of your business operations for years. However, your organization may struggle to maintain the current system and implement new projects. The thousands of customers we've worked with and surveyed state that expectations regarding the digital footprint and vision of the company are not aligned with the current IT environment.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT Generic IBM announced the E1080 servers using the latest Power10 processor in September 2021. The most powerful processor from IBM to date, Power10 is designed to handle the demands of doing business in today’s high-tech atmosphere, including running cloud applications, supporting big data, and managing AI workloads. But what does Power10 mean for your data center? In this recorded webinar, IBMers Dan Sundt and Dylan Boday join IBM Power Champion Tom Huntington for a discussion on why Power10 technology is the right strategic investment if you run IBM i, AIX, or Linux. In this action-packed hour, Tom will share trends from the IBM i and AIX user communities while Dan and Dylan dive into the tech specs for key hardware, including:

  • Magic MarkTRY the one package that solves all your document design and printing challenges on all your platforms. Produce bar code labels, electronic forms, ad hoc reports, and RFID tags – without programming! MarkMagic is the only document design and print solution that combines report writing, WYSIWYG label and forms design, and conditional printing in one integrated product. Make sure your data survives when catastrophe hits. Request your trial now!  Request Now.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericForms of ransomware has been around for over 30 years, and with more and more organizations suffering attacks each year, it continues to endure. What has made ransomware such a durable threat and what is the best way to combat it? In order to prevent ransomware, organizations must first understand how it works.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericIT security is a top priority for businesses around the world, but most IBM i pros don’t know where to begin—and most cybersecurity experts don’t know IBM i. In this session, Robin Tatam explores the business impact of lax IBM i security, the top vulnerabilities putting IBM i at risk, and the steps you can take to protect your organization. If you’re looking to avoid unexpected downtime or corrupted data, you don’t want to miss this session.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericCan you trust all of your users all of the time? A typical end user receives 16 malicious emails each month, but only 17 percent of these phishing campaigns are reported to IT. Once an attack is underway, most organizations won’t discover the breach until six months later. A staggering amount of damage can occur in that time. Despite these risks, 93 percent of organizations are leaving their IBM i systems vulnerable to cybercrime. In this on-demand webinar, IBM i security experts Robin Tatam and Sandi Moore will reveal:

  • FORTRA Disaster protection is vital to every business. Yet, it often consists of patched together procedures that are prone to error. From automatic backups to data encryption to media management, Robot automates the routine (yet often complex) tasks of iSeries backup and recovery, saving you time and money and making the process safer and more reliable. Automate your backups with the Robot Backup and Recovery Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAManaging messages on your IBM i can be more than a full-time job if you have to do it manually. Messages need a response and resources must be monitored—often over multiple systems and across platforms. How can you be sure you won’t miss important system events? Automate your message center with the Robot Message Management Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAThe thought of printing, distributing, and storing iSeries reports manually may reduce you to tears. Paper and labor costs associated with report generation can spiral out of control. Mountains of paper threaten to swamp your files. Robot automates report bursting, distribution, bundling, and archiving, and offers secure, selective online report viewing. Manage your reports with the Robot Report Management Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAFor over 30 years, Robot has been a leader in systems management for IBM i. With batch job creation and scheduling at its core, the Robot Job Scheduling Solution reduces the opportunity for human error and helps you maintain service levels, automating even the biggest, most complex runbooks. Manage your job schedule with the Robot Job Scheduling Solution. Key features include:

  • LANSA Business users want new applications now. Market and regulatory pressures require faster application updates and delivery into production. Your IBM i developers may be approaching retirement, and you see no sure way to fill their positions with experienced developers. In addition, you may be caught between maintaining your existing applications and the uncertainty of moving to something new.

  • LANSAWhen it comes to creating your business applications, there are hundreds of coding platforms and programming languages to choose from. These options range from very complex traditional programming languages to Low-Code platforms where sometimes no traditional coding experience is needed. Download our whitepaper, The Power of Writing Code in a Low-Code Solution, and:

  • LANSASupply Chain is becoming increasingly complex and unpredictable. From raw materials for manufacturing to food supply chains, the journey from source to production to delivery to consumers is marred with inefficiencies, manual processes, shortages, recalls, counterfeits, and scandals. In this webinar, we discuss how:

  • The MC Resource Centers bring you the widest selection of white papers, trial software, and on-demand webcasts for you to choose from. >> Review the list of White Papers, Trial Software or On-Demand Webcast at the MC Press Resource Center. >> Add the items to yru Cart and complet he checkout process and submit

  • Profound Logic Have you been wondering about Node.js? Our free Node.js Webinar Series takes you from total beginner to creating a fully-functional IBM i Node.js business application.

  • SB Profound WC 5536Join us for this hour-long webcast that will explore:

  • Fortra IT managers hoping to find new IBM i talent are discovering that the pool of experienced RPG programmers and operators or administrators with intimate knowledge of the operating system and the applications that run on it is small. This begs the question: How will you manage the platform that supports such a big part of your business? This guide offers strategies and software suggestions to help you plan IT staffing and resources and smooth the transition after your AS/400 talent retires. Read on to learn: