Explain what AS400 is including its introduction and its history. What operating system does it use, and what are the key features and uses of AS400 systems?
How does it manage the database operations in DB2? What programming languages are used on the AS400 system?
What are the advantages of AS400 and how does AS400 integrate with Cloud technologies?
What are some technical aspects of the AS400 systems?
What career opportunities exist for the AS400 developers and How can I learn this technology?
In AS400, “AS” stands for Application system. This article discusses what AS400 is, its history, the operating system it uses, its features, use, and other essential things.
Introduction
Let me first talk about what the AS400 system is. It is a midrange server introduced by IBM in 1988 in Rochester, Minnesota. It is a compact mainframe system that replaces System/36 and System/38.
History
Let’s look at the history of AS400. The AS400 system was renamed several times, from eServer iSeries in 2000 to System i in 2006. Later, in 2008, System I merged with System P and became Power System.
For more information, please read IBM’s history of AS400 in detail.
Operating System
OS400 is the operating system used. OS400 is now known as the IBM i power system. The current version of the operating system is IBM i 7.4 which supports logical partitioning (LPAR) where multiple OS can run simultaneously on the same IBM i machine.
Features
The AS400 is an object-oriented system where everything is an object. It uses files to store data. It interfaces with hardware via a technology-independent machine interface (TIMI) rather than directly and is not dependent on any specific technology. Customers can switch their applications to new hardware technology at any time.
AS400 has software for communications, backup, and recovery. It has an inbuilt DB2 database. It’s a safe, multiuser and multitasking system. Additionally, it supports file systems, web application servers, and web service servers, among other tools. The system consists of Independently installed software components called licensed programs. The changes made to the parts require a PTF. Hence, we can install PTFs permanently or temporarily.
Use
AS400 is used in businesses that value safety, stability, and dependability. Several corporate applications use AS400, such as Manufacturing, Finance, Transportation and logistics, Banks, ERP, etc.
Cloud
AS400 cloud services are now provided by Amazon web services, Google Cloud platform, Microsoft Azure, etc.
Technical introduction
It contains a sizeable library-based operating system. It supports programming languages such as RPG, COBOL, Assembly, C, C++, Java, PHP, Python, REXX, CL, and SQL.
Several CASE tools are available on AS400 systems, such as Accelerator, Synon, LANSA, IBM Rational Business Developer Extension, etc.
AS400 developers generally use programming languages such as RPG, CL, SQL DB2, Java, XML, etc.
It uses an integrated language environment (ILE) programming environment, which allows us to create single programs from modules in different programming languages such as C, C++, RPG, CL, COBOL, etc. It fully supports the Java language. Several IBM i terminal emulators are available for accessing AS400, such as IBM i ACS, Mocha TN5250, and 5250 emulators. It supports both JDBC and ODBC connectivity. It offers a command and menu-driven interface. This system works in a single operating environment known as a subsystem.
Careers
AS400 is still in high demand in 2024. Many companies globally use AS400 systems. Freshers can opt for several roles in this technology, as indicated below.
Integrations
IBMi can share data and communicate with other systems. Moreover, it integrates with file servers, web apps, etc. It can integrate with SAP and JD Edwards. WordPress is hosted on IBM i servers and powers websites and online commerce. Tableau and Power BI tools connect to Salesforce and IBM i databases. IBM i is compatible with iOS and Android mobile OS. Social media networks such as Facebook, LinkedIn, and X (formerly Twitter) integrate with it. E-commerce sites such as Shopify, Amazon, and others are compatible with it. IBM I can integrate with banks and payment gateway for secure transactions. IBM i can integrate with their party software/services using APIs and Web services. The operating system supports Oracle, SQL Server, MySQL, DB2, etc.
Where can I learn more about IBM i?
You can refer to the following material to learn about IBM i technology.
Explore the IBM i system
Conclusion
AS400 is a midrange server now known as a power system. IBM i 7.5 is the current version of the operating system, and it is object-oriented. It is a very stable system, and some firms have adopted the As400 cloud services. IBM i can integrate with other external systems.
AS400 is still in high demand in 2024. Many companies globally use AS400 systems. Freshers can opt for several roles in this technology, as indicated below.
Integrations
IBMi can share data and communicate with other systems. Moreover, it integrates with file servers, web apps, etc. It can integrate with SAP and JD Edwards. WordPress is hosted on IBM i servers and powers websites and online commerce. Tableau and Power BI tools connect to Salesforce and IBM i databases. IBM i is compatible with iOS and Android mobile OS. Social media networks such as Facebook, LinkedIn, and X (formerly Twitter) integrate with it. E-commerce sites such as Shopify, Amazon, and others are compatible with it. IBM I can integrate with banks and payment gateway for secure transactions. IBM i can integrate with their party software/services using APIs and Web services. The operating system supports Oracle, SQL Server, MySQL, DB2, etc.
Where can I learn more about IBM i?
You can refer to the following material to learn about IBM i technology.
Explore the IBM i system
Conclusion
AS400 is a midrange server now known as a power system. IBM i 7.5 is the current version of the operating system, and it is object-oriented. It is a very stable system, and some firms have adopted the As400 cloud services. IBM i can integrate with other external systems.