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Getting Started in the World of WebSphere

Paul HolmPlanetJ Corporation

What We'll Cover...

• How are Java and WebSphere Used Today?• What Lessons Have Been Learned?• Terminology of Java and WebSphere Worlds• The Key Considerations When Starting a

WebSphere or Java Project• Tools Used to Create Applications

Java and WebSphere Usage Today

The Business Challenge

• Wabash National Leading supplier of semi trailers & parts Large demand for customer information

Order information and status Invoice, sales figures, etc...Back order parts and statusUsed trailer salesWarranty processing

Information demands required a large labor pool for Customer Service reps

Customers want information 24 X 7 Typical “self-service” application

The Business Solution

• Internet “self-service" applications Customers can now access their account information

24x7 Reduction in customer service reps and labor costs Increased customer satisfaction Warranty claim processing 92% more efficient Skills developed with Java and WebSphere for future

development

Solution Details

Solution Details (cont.)

Solution Details (cont.)

Solution Details (cont.)

• "SmartParts, Used Trailers, Warranty” developed in WebSphere Application Server (WAS) Developed in Java using VisualAge 4.0 Deployed to WebSphere 4.x running on iSeries, later

moved to WAS Express Uses SSL and authentication to secure data Accesses a J.D. Edwards ERP system for order and

invoice information Uses iSeries Native Abstract Windowing Toolkit

for graphics

Solution Experiences

• WebSphere installation and administration was tricky More time spent on installation and configuration than on

the initial application development! We needed to install:

Apache HTTP ServerWAS 4.0NAWTPASE

Solution Experiences (cont.)

• WebSphere issues Fix packs need to be installed with care 4.x Advanced administrator console

Performs slowNon-descriptive error messages

• WebSphere 5.x and WebSphere Express are better Easier installation and administration Lower CPW and memory requirements

Solution Experiences (cont.)

• Tips: Ensure your iSeries has sufficient memory and CPU to

run WebSphereV5R2 WAS Express (CPW: 300, 512MB)V5R2 WAS BASE (CPW: 750)

o With EJB (CPW: 1000) If you have low CPW and memory, you’ll find that

WebSphere will run much faster on a Windows or Linux server

WebSphere 5.0 is easier to install and manage. Don’t bother with any release below 5.0.

The Business Problem

• FlowServe Corporation Engineer top-end mechanical pumps Needed solution to track and manage supplier purchase

order system

The Business Solution

• Suppliers sign on and view their purchase orders from a back-end PRMS-based ERP

• Suppliers are able to electronically Confirm purchase orders Change delivery date Change delivery quantity Request price change for purchase order

• All changes are dynamically updated in DB2/400, and changes are e-mailed to buyers

Connecting to Suppliers

The Business Problem

• Cybra Corporation Develops iSeries barcode design software Existing solution was 5250 "Green Screen" based Difficulties competing with Window GUI competitors

Solution Details

Why Use Java?GUI needed for sales/marketing Platform independence

ArchitectureJava client/server "desktop" applicationComplex Java graphics on clientExtensive use of AS/400 RPG program via

ProgramCall feature of AS/400 Toolbox for JavaJDBC used for database I/O

Solution Experiences

Existing resources not viable Six-month trial using existing RPG staff

o Missing skills and experienceEarly JDK releases were often buggyJava performance was an issue

o Heavy memory and CPU usage o Java profiling used; JProbe is excellent

Data access via JDBC worked very well

Solution Details

Results260,000 lines of JavaEight months to develop (three people)JMagic is generally available

o www.cybra.comNext releases are in planningVery successful project

o Won IBM Developer project awardo Sales have increased

Solution Details "JMagic"

Usage Summary

• Much of iSeries Web development focuses on: Building “Self-Service” Applications (90%)

Allow customers to view their account informationAllow vendors/suppliers to access inventory, purchase

orders, and associated data to better optimize the procurement process

Allow employees access via browser to sales data Building Internal EIS (10%)

Management reportsInstant access to real time data

Java and WebSphere Usage Terminology

Java and WebSphere Terminology

• Applications Programs that run stand-alone. These are "desktop" applications.

• Applets Dynamic and interactive programs that can run inside a Web page displayed by a

browser enabled for Java.• Servlets

Programs that run inside request/response-oriented servers, such as Java-enabled Web servers, and extend them in some manner.

• JavaServer Pages (JSPs) Provide an easy way to access server-side components from Web pages by

separating the presentation of dynamic content from the generation of that content.• Enterprise JavaBeans (EJBs)

Combines server-side components with distributed object technologies.

Browser

Internet/Network

HTTP Server

JavaServlet

ResourcesDB2 & RPG

1

2

3

Using Servlets on iSeries

High-Level Perspective 1 - Initiate servlet from Browser 2 - Load servlet 3 - Access resources

What are JavaServer Pages ?

• The JavaServer Pages technology is a way to dynamically generate HTML on the server side

• Use HTML filesHTML tagsJavaServer Pages HTML tagsJava as a scripting language

• A JavaServer Pages file has the extension .jsp • Calls reusable components that reside on the server

JavaBeansservlets

browser

<html><userbean></html>

web page

compiled pageobject

Enterprise JavaBeans

• A Java specification from Sun Microsystems that is part of the J2EE specification

• Component support for server-side business logic Binary Portability Reusability

• High-level, declarative interfaces for: Security Transactions Persistence

• Part of WebSphere Base and Network Deployment Editions EJB support not included in WebSphere Express

• Reduced complexity and effort for application developer

Enterprise JavaBeans (cont.)

• GOTCHA WARNING: EJBs are Not All They Are Cracked Up To Be In Actual

Use Current issues include:

PerformanceProductivityStabilityMaintenance

TIP: Perform a "Proof Of Concept" project prior to widespread use of EJBs

What is an Application Server?

• Emerging software for applications that: Manage browser- and Java-based client sessions Provide server-side business logic (Servlets/JSPs/EJBs) Connect to back-end computing resources for data and

transaction processing• Most commonly used application servers:

WebSphere (Express, Base, Network Deployment) Tomcat WebLogic

Web Server (IBM HTTP Server, Domino, Apache,

IIS,Java Web Server (Jeeves), and others)

ICAPI Apache ISAPI NSAPI

WebSphere App Server

Servlets, EJBs

NativeServlet

API

HTTP HTTP

JDBC ToolboxSockets, RMI,

IIOP, etc.

Application Servers

Considerations When Starting a Project

Planning a Java- or WebSphere-based Project?

Things to consider:Usage of JavaEducation/staffingToolsTechnical architecture

Many things to

consider...

When to Use Java

• Consider using Java for:Graphical User InterfacesBrowser-based UI (Servlets and JSPs)

• HTML not as robust as Java GUIs• “Self-service” Web applications

Strategic application development direction

• Don't Use Java For:Performance-intensive

applications

Technology Months to Basic Capabilities

Months to High Productivity

Comments

Java Basics 1.5 - 3 6 - 12 Need to assign appropriate work!

WebSphere Studio or ECLIPSE

.5 - 2 3 - 6 Need to assign appropriate work!

OO Architect 18 - 24 36 - 48 Need heavy design and project experience.

Servlets/JSP .25 - 2 4 - 6 Prereq is Java Basics.

EJB 2 - 4 6 - 12 Prereq is Java, OO, RDB, JDBC, Experience.

Education and Skills

Education and Skills Tips

You need a mix of experience levelsUse highly experienced people for design and

mentoringUse novices for coding and testing

Experience is invaluableYou need to know what works and what doesn't

Existing/legacy skills are still valuableDatabase design and performance are crucialRPG/Cobol back-end code reused via Toolbox APIs

Tools for Development

Tools for Development

• Integrated Development Environments WebSphere Studio (WDSC for iSeries)

Strategic direction for IDEsBased on Eclipse but is fee-basedExcellent integration with AS/400 (Java Toolbox)

Eclipse Eclipse is free and open sourcewww.eclipse.org

Other IDEsNETBEANS by Sun (www.netbeans.org)

Tools for Development (cont.)

• Design Tools Rational Rose

Use only if you have experience/skill with itCarries a big learning curve and is expensive

• Tip: Keep development environments as simple as possible It is easy to get "overwhelmed" with the cumulative

learning curves

Tools for Development (cont.)

• 4GL and Generator Tools PlanetJ WOW (Web Object Wizard) mrc, BCD, Magic Software

• Web Front Ends WebSphere WebFacing WebSphere Host Publisher Screen Scrapers

Project Tips

• Architecture Greatest importance to a project

Demands a heavy investment in time and skillArchitecture affects everything!

o Performanceo Scalabilityo Flexibilityo Maintainability

Project Tips: Architecture (The UI)

• User InterfaceServlet/JSP (Web-based)

• Excellent portability and deployment characteristics• UI not as robust as desktop applications

Java Application (JFC)

• Rich and powerful UI• Client install and updates needed

Java Applets

• Rich UI but portability and performance issues

Project Tips: Architecture (Business Logic)

• Middle Tier (Business Logic)EJB is a strategic technology

• Leading edge pains exist in short term• Requires WebSphere Advanced ($)• Handles DB I/O, transaction, remote calls

Custom Architecture

• Project specific classes created• Need to deal with persistence yourself• OO design skills are critical here

Project Tips: Architecture (Database Layer)

• Backend (Database)EJB Container Managed Persistence

• EJB has support for generating JDBC• Performance issues exist today

Custom JDBC

• Hand written by developers• Can be difficult and nonproductive• Not recommended for large projects

JDBC Generators (RDB - OO Mapping)

• VAJ Persistence Builder• PlanetJ DataEngine (WOW), Top Link, and others

The 5 Key Points to Take Home

1. Many successful Java and WebSphere projects have been completed. This is not smoke and mirrors anymore.

2. Technologies involved are still maturing but are very strategic.

3. It is important to consider:Education/SkillsToolsArchitecture

4. Consulting and mentoring can help grow skills, produce a solid infrastructure, and increase productivity

5. Start small, grow experiences before taking on larger projects

Additional Resources

• www.planetjavainc.com Free WOW download links

• The Server side www.TheServerSide.com

Excellent insight into development issues

• WebSphere Studio Zone http://www-106.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/zones/studio/

• W3Schools (free learning tools) www.w3schools.com

Questions?

Your Turn!

Contact Info

Paul Holm PlanetJ Corporation

760-432-0600pholm@planetjavainc.com