Before you begin, you must complete Introducing Development Studio and Development Studio Client.
Now, you know what the two flavors are of Development Studio Client and why you would want to use each one. Next let's look at those next generation iSeries server application development tools. What are they and what do they do?
Remote System Explorer
You can manage your development tasks in the Remote System Explorer. This is an enhanced and more flexible workstation version of Program Development Manager (PDM). You can create and manage development projects on your iSeries system from your Windows-based workstation with the Remote System Explorer and iSeries projects. With these tools, you can connect to an iSeries remote host, view iSeries libraries, files, and members. You can also launch the host compilers, the workstation editor, a program verifier and various debuggers all from the Remote System Explorer. This tool also supports other system types, such as UNIX(R), Linux, and Windows.
LPEX Editor
Your program editing tasks are simplified with the Remote Systems LPEX Editor. This is a powerful language-sensitive editor that you can customize. Token highlighting of source makes the various program elements stand out. It has SEU-like specification prompts for RPG and DDS to help enter column-sensitive fields. Local syntax checking and semantic verification for your RPG, COBOL and DDS source makes sure it will compile without errors on an iSeries system. If there are verification errors, an Error List lets you locate and resolve problems quickly. On-line programming guides, language references, and context-sensitive help make finding the information you need just a keystroke away.
Shells and commands in the Remote Commands view
You can use the Remote Commands view to run and interact with commands and command shells on universal systems. A universal system includes Windows, Linux, and UNIX system types. Specifically, you use the view to:
Whenever a command shell is launched or a command is run from the Remote System Explorer, the Remote Commands view displays the output and provides a way to work with that output.
Program Verifier
One of the most powerful and unique features of the Remote System Explorer is the Program Verifier. Before you compile your code on an iSeries system, you can ensure that there are no errors by invoking the Program Verifier. The verifier checks for semantic (compile) errors on your workstation so that you can guarantee a clean compile on the iSeries. Think of the host cycles you'll save. It is especially handy when you are writing code but you are disconnected from an iSeries system. You can do this because Remote System Explorer ported the parsing and checking code from the iSeries host compilers to the workstation. The Error List window lists the errors that are found and their severity, inserts the error messages directly into the source and helps you to navigate between the errors.
iSeries Debugger
With the Integrated iSeries debugger you can debug an application that is running on an iSeries system. It provides an interactive graphical interface that makes it easy to debug and test your iSeries programs. It is fully integrated into the workbench. You can also set breakpoints before running the debugger, by inserting breakpoints directly in your source while editing. The Integrated iSeries debugger client user interface also enables you to control program execution. For example, you can run your program, set line, watch, and service entry point breakpoints, step through program instructions, examine variables, and examine the call stack. You can also debug multiple applications, which may be written in different languages, from a single debug window. Each session you debug is listed separately in the Debug view.
CODE Designer
Using an editor to create and maintain DDS source for your display and printer files can be a frustrating and difficult task. What would be great is a graphical design tool that lets you design your screens and reports visually and then generate the DDS source for you. Well, that's exactly what the CODE Designer does for you.
The CODE Designer interface was designed to help the novice DDS programmer create screens, reports and databases quickly and easily without worrying about the details of the DDS language, while at the same time letting the expert DDS programmer get access to all the features and power of the language. CODE Designer is not fully integrated into the workbench, but you can launch it as a separate tool from the workbench.
You have identified the host tools and the client tools as well as the iSeries application development tools and now you are ready to review your knowledge of this module by taking the quiz.
Quiz
Module recap
You have completed Module 8. Introducing the product and Remote System Explorer (optional). You should now understand:
Finish your tutorial by reviewing the materials in Summary.
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