Hello,

Welcome to the April edition of the Zend IBM i Newsletter.

Easycom For PHP extends IBM i capabilities, to Linux and Windows – message from AURA Equipements

There may be instances when you cannot or prefer not to deploy PHP applications on IBM i yet you would like to leverage the business data and programs on IBM i – AS/400. Aura Equipements' Easycom For PHP allows you to securely access databases, programs, procedures and objects on the IBM i from PHP applications on Linux or Windows.

Zend at COMMON – Booth 410

Those of you attending COMMON: Zend is now accepting requests to analyze your company's modernization strategy, discuss best practices, and show you how others have utilized PHP. I will follow up with the first 10 people that contact me (Jim Dillard) and set up a mutually beneficial time to meet at COMMON.

Please visit us at COMMON at booth 410 to learn about Zend and IBM i, view solution and technical demos, or general Q & A. To set up a dedicated meeting time please feel free to contact Mike Pavlak or Jim Dillard.

Below are some of the PHP sessions at COMMON designed for those new to PHP as well as those with intermediate and advanced PHP skills.

LAB: Getting Your Hands on Zend's PHP for i5/OS (490101)

Session Abstract: PHP for i5/OS opens up a new and exciting method for incorporating web-based access to DB2/400 as well as the ability to run hundreds of open-source PHP applications that are freely available in the open source community. This lab session provides an opportunity to start down the PHP road by providing a hands-on opportunity to explore PHP. This lab includes lessons in the following areas:

Troubleshooting the PHP environment
PHP development in Zend Studio
Accessing DB2 for i5/OS within a PHP application
Debugging a PHP Application using Zend Studio for i5/OS

Business Value of PHP on i (510102)

Session Abstract: This presentation will shed light on the reasons so many companies chose PHP as a strategic technology for IBM i. We will review the background of PHP and Zend, illustrate how companies are utilizing Zend PHP to leverage their current infrastructure in the tough 2009 economy, and walk you through varied case studies.

Deploying Open Source Solutions on IBM i (540140)

Session Abstract: Ever heard of those cool open community applications and said "I wish I could run those in IBM i" - well now you can! Support for MySQL as well as PHP on IBM i provides the foundation on which to host a large collection of open community applications. This session will explore how to establish the components of the open source deployment stack on IBM i and how to use that stack to deploy existing open source solutions such as SugarCRM.

MySQL on IBM i Overview (540138)

Session Abstract: This session will provide a comprehensive overview of MySQL on IBM i. Specific topics in this session will include the installation and configuration of MySQL as well as backup and recovery, replication, and clustering. Additional topics will include security, access control, and privileges. This session will introduce the concept of MySQL storage engines including the IBMDB2i storage engine.

PHP Advanced Topics: Zend Framework and More! (550060)

Session Abstract: PHP has been around IBM i for three years. This session highlights the hottest advanced features of PHP that impact websites and productivity. An in depth exploration of Zend Framework will kick off the presentation with an example of how PHP implements MVC. Additional topics include PHP Web Service components and Google Application integration. The session will also include a health discussion of the advanced PHP application Server Zend Platform showcasing its high level monitoring and advanced debugging features.

PHP For RPG IV Programmers (520052)

Session Abstract: Learn how RPG IV can be integrated with PHP. The session starts by introducing PHP and comparing PHP to RPG IV. Examples will be shown to see how PHP can physically call RPG. Use each language for what each is best at!

PHP Toolkit and 5250 Bridge - Web Interface to IBM i Resources (520325)

Session Abstract: PHP on IBM i provides the framework for implementing applications that leverage existing IBM i data and system resources. This presentation will guide you through examples on how PHP is utilized to retrieving/updating DB2/400 data and invoking RPG/COBOL/CL programs. Additionally, attendees will be able to showcase future enhancements such as the 5250 Bridge making it easier to leverage your IBM i investments. Entry level PHP programming session.

PHP and MySQL on IBM i - New Stacks and New Solutions (540137)

Session Abstract: The adoption of PHP on IBM i has opened up new and interesting methods both for development of customized web-based applications that leverage IBM i resources as well as deployment of open community solutions. This presentation will take a look at the current state of the PHP and MySQL offerings for IBM i and explore the development/deployment stacks that these offerings enable.

Web Enabling DB2 for IBM i with PHP (540164)

Session Abstract: Zend Core, the PHP engine for IBM i, can be used to support development and deployment of web-based applications that incorporate dynamic content from DB2. This session will explore basic DB2 access through integration of DB2 to open source applications. Plenty of code examples and references for further study are included. Entry level PHP programming session.

PHP on IBM i: Getting Started (550656)

Session Abstract: PHP, the world’s most popular web scripting language runs on IBM i and this session is where it all begins. Topics presented will include installation and troubleshooting the Zend Stack, Zend Studio and the debugger, overview of PASE and Apache Configurations for PHP. This session will provide entry level examples and demonstrations for all levels of IBM i professionals. Entry level PHP programming session.

New Update of Zend Core for IBM i

Zend has released an update for Zend Core for i5/OS 2.6. Among other enhancements this update contains PHP 5.2.9 which helps PCI compliance. Download and install this update online from the Zend Core console or offline from http://www.zend.com/products/core/updates.

Zend Online PHP Training for IBM i

A-Zend PHP for the i5/OS Programmer

This bundle is designed for i5/OS programmers that not only want to learn to tie existing RPG applications to PHP, but also want to acquire a solid foundation in PHP culminating in the PHP 5 Certification.

Includes:

Zend Online Training: PHP I: Foundations for i5/OS Programmers
Zend Online Training: PHP II: Higher Structures
Zend Online Training: Test Prep: PHP 5 Certification
PHP 5 Certification Exam Voucher
Zend PHP 5 Certification Study Guide - PDF version
Zend PHP 5 Certification Online Practice Test - 10 pack

Buy now »

Help Out Your Fellow IBM i community Member

Many of you are at varying stages of using PHP - some are just starting to tinker whereas others have been coding PHP apps on i for 3+ years. Regardless of your skill level there is now a new Zend forum called PHP Questions / Hints where you can post and answer PHP Questions, Hints and Tips which will benefit all. Below is a great example from Smart Business System's Alan Seiden:

"Call PHP from a CL program"
We all know that PHP is king of the web, but it's also a good general-purpose language that works in batch mode. Example: every morning, your business partner puts XML-based pricing files in one of your IFS folders. Since you need to get and use that data, you must create a job that runs each morning and copies that XML data into your db2 physical files. You're in luck--PHP and Zend Core for i5/OS are great at working with XML and db2. But here's the fun part: create a CL that you can schedule with WRKJOBSCDE (Work with Job Schedule Entries), and have the CL call your PHP script. Here's an example, a CL that calls a script called processxml.php:

PGM
CALL PGM(QP2SHELL) +
PARM('/usr/local/zend/Core/bin/php' +
'/www/zendcore/htdocs/processxml.php')
ENDPGM

Pavlak's Corner

Religious wars

You would have figured by now that I would know better. 20 plus years in IT, programming everything from assembly to PHP. But, no, I still got sucked in to the vortex of a religious war of technologies. At first I didn't know what to think. It was a typical customer call. Showing them the presentation of Zend products and I was wondering where their thoughts were. Then I tripped. I mentioned that one of the key features that PHP had and Java didn't was its divided personality of Procedural development and OOP. The Java guy in the back of the room reared his head and exclaimed "That's not true!" And, he was right. Java does have a model that is more forgiving to the typical RPG programmer. So, if Java has that loving and forgiving model, why haven’t all of the RPG programmers learned Java?

Redbook Released: Using IBM DB2 for i as a Storage Engine of MySQL

"With the Apache, MySQL™, and PHP (AMP) stack, IBM® i has the open source middleware to run thousands of PHP applications and scripts that have been written to the MySQL database. MySQL is a database that is used on millions of Web sites. To support the wide variety of usage, the developers of MySQL have developed an open storage engine architecture for data functionality and storage..."

Upcoming Events & PHP Presentations

April 1st and 2nd -
WMCPA Spring Conference 2009
Search for PHP to find all sessions

April 6th through April 8th -
NEUGC

Strategic Business Systems (SBS), an IBM Business Partner very proficient in developing PHP applications running on IBM i, will have a booth at the Northeast System i User Groups Conference. Please stop by their booth to ask questions (Alan Seiden, who is a Zend Certified Engineer for Zend Framework, will be there) learn about some of their implementations, and / or hear how their customers are leveraging PHP on i. Additionally SBS's, will be presenting the "Enterprise PHP on IBM i" session.

April 15th -
WEBINAR at 12PM ET: "Advanced Management for PHP for i5" by Mike Pavlak

April 15th through April 17th -
RPG and DB2 Summit

April 26th through April 30th -
COMMON in Reno, NV
See above

April 23rd -
iFidelity, Manchester, UK

"KEYNOTE: APPLICATION MODERNISATION STRATEGIES" by Jon Paris
"AN INTRODUCTION TO PHP FOR RPGers" by Jon Paris

Feedback? Questions?
Please email JDillard@Zend.com