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Intro to RPG-XML Suite (RXS)

From Wiki

User Guide

In simplistic terms, RPG-XML Suite essentially is a collection of RPG service programs that allows RPG programmers the ability to compose, transmit, and parse XML along with many other supporting subprocedures. These three capabilities fully equip an RPG programmer to offer (or provide) web services on the IBM i (AS/400, iSeries, System i) as well as call (or consume) web services on remote machines.

Contents 1 Calling Web Services with RPG-XML Suite 2 Remote Web Services Calling RPG-XML Suite 3 Real-World Examples 4 Learn More

Calling Web Services with RPG-XML Suite

The illustration below demonstrates how an RPG program on your IBM i can "call" a web service that resides on another machine. The RPG program composes and passes an XML stream from the remote web service on the Server/Client and receives back the response XML which it parses for its data contents. For example, the RPG program could send an XML invoice to a business partner to automate the billing process, or a purchase order could be sent to a supplier to automate the shipping of widgets to your company.

Remote Web Services Calling RPG-XML Suite

The illustration below demonstrates RPG-XML Suite playing the opposite role. In this case, the Server/Client calls RPG-XML Suite by passing an XML request. The RPG Web Service running under Apache receives and parses the XML. Once the RPG Web Service program makes the data from the XML document available, other RPG business logic can be called or simply store the information to the DB2/400 database. The RPG Web Service program can then compose an XML response and return it to the caller (Server/Client).

For another example - a CRM application might reside on another machine (i.e. Salesforce.com) and is used by sales personnel to add new accounts. That application could send the newly created account information to the RPG Web Service which would write it to the appropriate DB2 database for future order fulfillment purposes.

RPG-XML Suite was built by RPG developers who have lived through creating web services in RPG and Java without a well-packaged toolset. There are a handful of alternatives that will allow RPG to connect to the outside world (like front-ending it with a Java web service), but those alternatives require the introduction of a new programming language into your environment, which can be very costly and labor intensive.

RPG-XML Suite is the right choice and proven alternative to move your IBM i into the Service Oriented Architecture arena.

Real-World Examples

Here are 10 real-world examples showing how XML is being utilized by businesses running on the IBM i who depend on RPG-XML Suite daily:

1. Retail – sending and receiving auto parts information between retailers and suppliers via XML
2. Manufacturing – completely avoiding the internal mailing of invoices by sending an XML data feed to the Post Office which then handles all printing and mailing of invoices
3. Insurance – Sending auto insurance applicant information to a credit reporting agency to receive back a comprehensive credit score prior to creating an applicant’s policy
4. Transportation – Truck drivers sign in to a website interface remotely and receive their directions by having the front end website communicate real-time with a backend iSeries via XML
5. Pharmaceutical – Communicating directly with DHL to receive real-time shipping status updates on packages
6. Entertainment – Sending personal information notifications (like "Happy Birthday") to a kiosk device upon the swiping of a customer’s card
7. Utilities – Integration of Oracle’s Mobile Workforce Management software with local city water government to transmit the water meter readings from remote service staff in the field
8. Government – State county agency sends vehicle data to state DMV (department of motor vehicles) to get real-time title statuses
9. Financial – Investment firm sends XML files to New York Stock Exchange to exchange information with different member firms and other business partners
10. Health Care – Hospital sends patient treatment summary to insurance provider which returns eligible coverage under insurance plan

Learn More

• To learn more about RPG-XML Suite, visit the RXS User Guide, or from the RPG-XML Suite web site.
• A free trial of RPG-XML Suite (RXS) can be downloaded after filling out a short survey on the RPG-XML Suite website here.