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Integrated Web Services for IBM i Knowledge Guide

by | Oct 4, 2022 | IBM i Modernization

Web service technology enables you to provide dynamic e-business solutions. It opens up a new set of possibilities for collaboration between your businesses and partners. Regardless of the low-code platforms or runtime environments, web services connect applications to one another both inside and outside the company. The integrated web services for IBM allow you to externalize integrated language environment (ILE) program objects as web services. Also, it lets you externalize the consumption of a web service by an ILE program object. Hence, it can effectively support web services and Service Oriented Architecture (SOA). In this post, you will find a knowledge guide covering everything related to Integrated Web Services for IBM i. Let’s dive in.

What Are The Web Services?

Web services are XML-based information exchange systems. They are considered to be a standardized medium of communication between the client and server applications. They utilize the Internet for direct application-to-application interaction. The exchange systems can include programs, objects, messages, or documents.

What Are The Integrated Web Services For IBM i?

The integrated web services for IBM i is a solution that enables Integrated Language Environment (ILE) applications to play in the web services and service-oriented architecture (SOA) arena. It refers to two technologies for IBM AS400 RPG: the IWS Server and the IWS clients for ILE.

The IWS server serves as a fully functional server. Here, you can install ILE-based program entities as web services. On the other hand, the IWS client for ILE delivers a mechanism to generate service artifacts. It allows RPG, COBOL, C, and C++ to act as web services or API consumers.

Read: How to Modernize Green Screen Apps

How Does A Web Service Work On IBM i Server?

The web server allows you to conveniently externalize existing RPG or COBOL programs as web services. It allows web service clients to interact with IBM i program-based services from the Internet. It performs the interaction by utilizing industry standard communication protocol, like SOAP.

If you want to access RPG programs as Web Services, the IBM Toolbox for Java can be very useful. You can use it to develop a Java Web Service to call the program. It will return the results as XML messages according to the web services specifications.

Read: 11 Things About IBM i Series You May Not Have Known

What Are The Features And Benefits Of Integrated Web Services For IBM?

  • Easy to use: Integrated Web Services (IWS) is very easy to use. It comes with the web administrative GUI front end. It enables you to conveniently monitor the server and deployed web services.
  • Powerful: IBM has built the web services server on the integrated application server. It is lightweight but very powerful. It offers best-in-class technologies in support of SOAP and RESTful web services.
  • Focus on your core capabilities: IWS for IBM doesn’t require you to acquire new skills or tools. It allows you to deploy ILE-based web services by utilizing existing expertise. Therefore, you don’t have to rewrite your core infrastructure. It helps you to focus on your core capabilities and provide better value for your customers.

What Is The Integrated Web Services Server for IBM i?

The integrated web services for IBM i is a term that describes two important IBM i technologies. They are: the integrated web services server and the integrated web services client for ILE.

How Can I Externalize IBM i Programs As Web Services?

You can easily externalize IBM i program or service program as a web service by utilizing the Install New Service wizard. It allows you to conveniently specify the program object and choose the program export procedures. Here are the steps:

1. First, you need to get access to the IBM Web Administration for i from your browser.

2. Next, you have to select the Manage.

3. Then you have to choose the Application Servers.

4. Next, you need to select the Web services server from the Server.

5. Then click on Install New Service. It will launch the wizard.

6. Now, you can install your program as Web services by completing the wizard. If you face any issues, click on the “?” icon. It will display helpful information.

What Is Web Services Client For ILE?

The web services client is an application for sending and receiving SOAP messages. It is integrated into IBM i. It provides a mechanism to generate service artifacts. Also, the web services client allows ILE to function as a service consumer. Hence, it can call a variety of web service implementations such as RPG, COBOL, C++, Java, PHP, .NET, etc.

Read: Low Code Solutions That Will Turbocharge Your Business

What Are The Enhancements To Integrated Web Services?

The enhancements to IWS refer to the upgraded features of the integrated web services. Since the introduction, it has gone through several updates. It has significantly enhanced the capabilities of the system.

The enhancements to IWS come in different forms. For example, IBM makes some of the enhancements available to in-service releases by utilizing Program Temporary Fixes (PTFs). It is a temporary solution to bypass diagnosed issues. You can find more information about the integrated web services support on IBM support ( https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/633935 ).

How Do I Get Started With IBM i Integrated Web Services With LANSA?

LANSA and IBM i integrated web services provide you with powerful capabilities. For example, you can use the technology to integrate legacy applications with modern apps. It provides several key advantages. For example, the cost of developing a new application can be too high. By helping you integrate legacy tools with modern apps, LANSA and IBM i integrated web services can save you a lot of money. You can get started with numerous blog posts available on the LANSA blog. Also, you can check the documentation or contact us.

Find out more about LANSA today and explore amazing solutions to open up new possibilities to integrate your IBM i systems with the latest e-business solutions.

FAQ

What is IWS IBM?

IWS IBM is a web browser-based interface for IBM Z Workload Scheduler. It provides the backbone for automated workload management and monitoring.

What are IBM web services?

The IBM web services are modular applications. You can describe, publish, locate, and invoke them over a network.

What are integrated web services?

Integrated web services refer to a self-contained software component. They have a well-defined interface, which describes a set of operations accessible over the Internet.

What is an integrated web application?

An integrated web application refers to an implemented software in a system that was built separately to work together. It extends the capabilities and efficiencies of the existing technology. Also, it helps you to significantly reduce the costs.

What are web services examples?

Some of the well-known web services examples are JSON-RPC, JSON-WSP, Web Services Description Language (WSDL), Web Services Metadata Exchange (WS-MetadataExchange), and XML Interface for Network Services (XINS).

What is the main purpose of web service?

The main purpose of web services is to allow different applications from multiple sources to securely communicate with each other. It doesn’t require sharing sensitive data.

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