October 7, 2020
October 7, 2020 | Volume 16 Issue 51
- LEAD ARTICLE: Practical SQL: SQL Monitor Part 3, the Program Logic
- FEATURED ARTICLE: RPG Academy: UI Modernization, Part 3—Introducing the MVC
- FEATURED NEWS: Tragedy for MC Press Author
- FEATURED eBOOK: UPDATED: Developer Kit: Making a Business Case for Modernization and Beyond
- WEBCAST: IBM i in 2020: It’s Not Just AS/400
- FEATURED VIDEO: Design an Invoice in 10 Minutes
- EVENT: MAGiC Annual Conference

Practical SQL: SQL Monitor Part 3, the Program Logic
Using identity fields in RPG requires a little SQL, but that SQL can coexist with traditional record-level access, as this monitor program illustrates.
By Joe Pluta
In my last two articles (1, 2), I presented a business requirement that could be met by creating a data model with an identity field. Identity fields are very powerful, but they are best handled using SQL. This particular program makes use of a number of different ILE techniques, so we should dive right in.
IBM Launches New Watson Capabilities to Help Businesses Build Trustworthy AI
IPwe and IBM Seek to Transform Corporate Patents With Next Generation NFTs Using IBM Blockchain

RPG Academy: UI Modernization, Part 3—Introducing the MVC
Time to introduce a conceptual (but rather useful) new tool for your arsenal: the MVC. No, it’s not a new type of vehicle! It’s the model-view-controller model.
By Rafael Victória-Pereira
The multi-tier architecture implementations shown in the previous TechTip are a step in the right direction, but they have its limitations:
- You’re still bound by the DDS limits—Your UIs will still be text-based and limited to a 24x80 or 27x132 green-screen resolution.
- Your code is not truly separated—Code for screen handling and control flow is still intertwined. It’s true that this approach makes it much easier to maintain, but you still have some code that is not where it should be. This also means that your “UI expert” also has to be the “control flow expert,” when these can be different tasks.

Tragedy for MC Press Author
By Victoria Mack
If you’ve read MC Press Online, formerly Midrange Computing magazine, you likely fondly remember author Thomas M. Stockwell. His decades of commentary and analysis on a wide variety of industry-relevant topics made him a favorite of readers.
What to Do When Your AS/400 Talent Retires
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:
- Why IBM i skills depletion is a top concern
- How leading organizations are coping
- Where automation will make the biggest impact
Enjoy!
Download your copy today!
2019 State of IBM i Modernization
The annual Profound Logic ‘State of IBM i Modernization Survey” takes a look at the trends and attitudes that shape the IBM i modernization market. We reached out to the IBM i community, and the response was outstanding: close to 800 people, nearly 300 more than last year, took the survey. This enthusiasm resulted in very interesting findings for how businesses plan to use and modernize the platform in the coming year.
As you read through each section of the survey, you will see our summary of the results and suggestions for the future. We hope the survey will help your business better understand what is possible for your IBM i platform in the coming year.
Node Webinar Series Pt. 1: The World of Node.js on IBM i
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.
Part 1 will teach you what Node.js is, why it's a great option for IBM i shops, and how to take advantage of the ecosystem surrounding Node.
In addition to background information, our Director of Product Development Scott Klement will demonstrate applications that take advantage of the Node Package Manager (npm).
watch now!
What Most IBM i Shops Get Wrong About the IFS
Can 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 month 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:
- How phishing attacks are becoming more sophisticated
- Three little-known ways malicious programs can reach your IFS
- Why the IFS is IBM i’s “Typhoid Mary”
You’ll also learn why some of the most common malware solutions still leave IBM i systems vulnerable—and what you can do to protect your organization.
Easiest Way to Save Money? Stop Printing IBM i Reports
The 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:
- Automated report distribution
- View online without delay
- Browser interface to make notes
- Custom retention capabilities
- Seamless product integration
Rerun another report? Never again. Try the Robot Report Management Solution FREE for 30 days.
Comply in 5! Well, actually UNDER 5 minutes!!
TRY 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.

UPDATED: Developer Kit: Making a Business Case for Modernization and Beyond
Businesses that use “legacy” systems and applications face unique challenges, including loss of competitiveness, inefficiency due to manual processes, and an aging development workforce. Developers and technical leaders on these systems are in a key position to influence how to overcome these challenges, but often find it difficult to communicate solutions to management.
By Profound Logic Software, Inc.
Editor's note: This article introduces the updated white paper Developer Kit: Making a Business Case for Modernization and Beyond, which is free to download from the MC White Paper Center.
With the right solutions, it’s possible to extend existing IT investments, transform out-of-date applications and processes, and remain highly competitive, without the consequences of a rip-and-replace. Carefully craft these solutions into a compelling business case, and they can become a reality for your company.