TechChannel 2021 SMB Solutions Directory - 10

APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT

Smoothing the Path in Application Development

P

rogrammers don't like to talk
about debugging, but it seems
they like to hear other people
talk about it, say IBM i experts Susan
Gantner and Jon Paris. In " Debugging
with RDi and Service Entry Points, "
the cofounders of Partner400 note
that sessions about debugging are
often some of the most popular at
conferences and events.
Starting a debugging session may be
the most confusing part of the process.
Two methods can be used: creating and
using a debug configuration or using a
service entry point (SEP). Although SEP
has some limitations, Gantner and Paris
prefer using it. Before beginning, they say
at least one preference should be set.
" Open the RDi Preferences and type
'debug' into the filter box near the top of
the left-hand panel. In the filtered list,
select 'IBM i Debug'. The entry that most
people need to change here is 'Update
production files,' " they write, adding that
the preference is turned off by default
and most shops need to turn it on.
A debug SEP monitors for a specific
program to be started by a specific
user profile. When the combination is

10 2021 Solutions Directory

identified, it stops execution, begins a
debug and notifies the developer.
Next, three important steps must be
followed:
1. Select the program that needs
to be debugged
2. Confirm the SEP settings
3. Run the code to be debugged
Setting breakpoints allows
the developer to come back and
continue working later if the bug isn't
immediately identified.
Gantner and Paris say that the
program used to start the debug
session must be an ILE language
program, although a workaround does
exist. Another limitation is that the
program being debugged cannot be
already running, so if it's a never-ending
program, an SEP cannot be used to
debug.
The RDi debugger can still be used in
those situations, but the process can't
be started with an SEP.

Tackling the Application Backlog-

Streamlining and speeding up process-

es, from debugging to creating new
applications is a hallmark of a modern
IT department. Most departments in
most organizations need new applications. Traditionally, coding applications
has been a time-intensive endeavor and
the result is often a backlog of applications awaiting development.
Low-code and no-code app
development could be the solution for
frustrated managers and IT personnel.
A common set of proven UI widgets,
such as forms, charts and grids, can
be linked to files and fields, with little
or no coding necessary. The logic for
downloading the data to a spreadsheet
is usually included automatically.
This method takes out the coding,
which can translate into fewer
mistakes and bugs. Low-code
platforms use the same set of UI
elements, so clickable buttons, dropdown menus and other user action
components are standardized. That
standardization leads to a familiar and
intuitive experience. Nontechnical
employees can work with IT to develop
applications in this manner, increasing
productivity dramatically.
TechChannel 2021 SMB Solutions Directory

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