About AS400 iSERIES Application Modernization Roadmap
IBM lays out a very clean roadmap for modernization of all legacy AS400 and iSERIES applications. The application modernization manual (aka Redbook) is a hefty read, so here it is broken out into easy to consume chunks.
Phase 1: Prepare & Assess
- Inventory Legacy Assets: Catalog all RPG, CL, DDS, and DB2 components.
- Define Modernization Goals: UI refresh? API enablement? Cloud readiness?
- Identify Pain Points: Green screen fatigue, monolithic code, lack of integration.
- Skill Assessment: Evaluate team readiness for modern tools (VS Code, Git, IWS).
Phase 2: Experiment & Prototype
- Try Modern IDEs: RDi, VS Code with IBM i extensions.
- Build a Sandbox: Create a test environment for safe experimentation.
- Prototype Webservices: Use HTTPAPI or IWS to consume and expose APIs.
- Test Modularization: Break a legacy program into service-oriented chunks.
Phase 3: Kickoff Modernization
- Refactor Legacy Code: Adopt free-format RPGLE, modular design, and service layers.
- Modernize Database: Move from flat files to SQL tables with constraints and triggers.
- UI Overhaul: Introduce web-based interfaces (Node.js, PHP, or React frontends).
- Integrate Source Control: Git workflows, branching strategies, and CI/CD pipelines.
Phase 4: Evaluate & Expand
- Measure Impact: Performance, maintainability, user satisfaction.
- Gather Feedback: From users, devs, and stakeholders.
- Expand Scope: Apply lessons to other apps and workflows.
- Document Everything: Create reusable guides, scripts, and training modules.
Phase 5: Deploy & Train
- Roll Out in Stages: Pilot first, then scale.
- Train Teams: Use interactive lessons, quizzes, and code packs.
- Support Transition: Provide cheat sheets, FAQs, and mentoring.
Phase 6: Repeat & Evolve
- Continuous Improvement: Regular code reviews, refactoring, and tech upgrades.
- Stay Current: Monitor IBM i updates, open-source tools, and community trends.
- Celebrate Wins: Highlight success stories and share them in blogs or videos.
Module Content
IBM lays out a very clean roadmap for modernization of all legacy AS400 and iSERIES applications. The application modernization manual (aka Redbook) is a hefty read, so here it is broken out into easy to consume chunks.
Why should we consider AS400 modernization?
IBM Redbook Modernization of IBM i Applications
Modernizing IBM i Applications from
the Database up to the User Interface
and Everything in Between
Modernizing IBM i Applications from
the Database up to the User Interface
and Everything in Between
Modernizing IBM i Applications from
the Database up to the User Interface
and Everything in Between
Modernizing IBM i Applications from
the Database up to the User Interface
and Everything in Between
Modernizing IBM i Applications from
the Database up to the User Interface
and Everything in Between
Legacy AS400 ISERIES Application Modernization
Modernizing IBM i Applications from
the Database up to the User Interface
and Everything in Between
Modernizing IBM i Applications from
the Database up to the User Interface
and Everything in Between
Modernizing IBM i Applications from
the Database up to the User Interface
and Everything in Between
Modernizing IBM i Applications from
the Database up to the User Interface
and Everything in Between
Modernizing IBM i Applications from
the Database up to the User Interface
and Everything in Between
Modernizing IBM i Applications from
the Database up to the User Interface
and Everything in Between
Modernizing IBM i Applications from
the Database up to the User Interface
and Everything in Between
Modernizing IBM i Applications from
the Database up to the User Interface
and Everything in Between
Modernizing IBM i Applications from
the Database up to the User Interface
and Everything in Between
Modernizing IBM i Applications from
the Database up to the User Interface
and Everything in Between
Modernizing IBM i Applications from
the Database up to the User Interface
and Everything in Between
Modernizing IBM i Applications from
the Database up to the User Interface
and Everything in Between
Modernizing IBM i Applications from
the Database up to the User Interface
and Everything in Between
Modernization of IBM i Applications - Designing the Look and Feel
Modernizing IBM i Applications from
the Database up to the User Interface
and Everything in Between
Modernizing IBM i Applications from
the Database up to the User Interface
and Everything in Between
Modernizing IBM i Applications from
the Database up to the User Interface
and Everything in Between
Modernizing IBM i Applications from
the Database up to the User Interface
and Everything in Between
Modernizing IBM i Applications from
the Database up to the User Interface
and Everything in Between
Modernizing IBM i Applications from
the Database up to the User Interface
and Everything in Between
Modernizing IBM i Applications from
the Database up to the User Interface
and Everything in Between
Modernizing IBM i Applications from
the Database up to the User Interface
and Everything in Between
Modernizing IBM i Applications from
the Database up to the User Interface
and Everything in Between
Modernizing IBM i Applications from
the Database up to the User Interface
and Everything in Between
Modernizing IBM i Applications from
the Database up to the User Interface
and Everything in Between
Modernizing IBM i Applications from
the Database up to the User Interface
and Everything in Between
Modernizing IBM i Applications from
the Database up to the User Interface
and Everything in Between
Modernizing IBM i Applications from
the Database up to the User Interface
and Everything in Between
Modernizing IBM i Applications from
the Database up to the User Interface
and Everything in Between
Modernizing IBM i Applications from
the Database up to the User Interface
and Everything in Between
Modern Application Interfaces
What is Interfacing?
Interfacing allows IBM i applications to share data and business functions with other systems, languages, and platforms through APIs, databases, web services, message queues, and integration technologies.
Modernizing IBM i Applications from
the Database up to the User Interface
and Everything in Between
Modernizing IBM i Applications from
the Database up to the User Interface
and Everything in Between
Modernizing IBM i Applications from
the Database up to the User Interface
and Everything in Between
Modernizing IBM i Applications from
the Database up to the User Interface
and Everything in Between
Modernizing IBM i Applications from
the Database up to the User Interface
and Everything in Between
Modernizing IBM i Applications from
the Database up to the User Interface
and Everything in Between
Modernizing IBM i Applications from
the Database up to the User Interface
and Everything in Between
Modernizing IBM i Applications from
the Database up to the User Interface
and Everything in Between
Modernizing IBM i Applications from
the Database up to the User Interface
and Everything in Between
Modernizing IBM i Applications from
the Database up to the User Interface
and Everything in Between
Modernizing IBM i Applications from
the Database up to the User Interface
and Everything in Between
Modernizing IBM i Applications from
the Database up to the User Interface
and Everything in Between
Modernizing IBM i Applications from
the Database up to the User Interface
and Everything in Between
Modernizing IBM i Applications from
the Database up to the User Interface
and Everything in Between
Modernizing IBM i Applications from
the Database up to the User Interface
and Everything in Between
Modernizing IBM i Applications from
the Database up to the User Interface
and Everything in Between
Modernizing IBM i Applications from
the Database up to the User Interface
and Everything in Between
This section describes some of the methods and options that are available to you when you are developing in an environment that has multiple systems. Typically, this process involves the interface in one place needing to access data or a service in another place.
