Contents

About HTTP Server for AS/400 Web
Programming Guide (GC41-5435) . .	.	. v
Conventions in this book	.	. v
AS/400 Operations Navigator	.	. v
Installing Operations Navigator	.	. vi
Prerequisite and related information . . . .	.	. vi
How to send your comments	.	. vi

Chapter 1. Writing Common Gateway Interface Programs . . . . . . . . . . 1

Overview of the CGI	.	.	1
CGI and Dynamic Documents	.	. 2
Uses for CGI	.	.	3
The CGI process	.	.	3
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Sending Information to the Server . . . .	.	. 5
Data Conversions on CGI Input and Output . . . 5
Returning Output from the Server . . . .	.	. 11
How CGI Programs Work	.	. 12
Environment variables	.	.	13
Requests from Standard Search (ISINDEX)
Documents	.	.	15
Passing SSL Environment Variables to a CGI
Program	.	.	15
CGI Programs and AS/400 Activation Groups . . . 17
AS/400 Activation Groups	.	. 17
CGI Considerations	.	.	18
Activation Group Problem Examples . . .	.	. 18

Chapter 2. Application Programming
Interfaces		23
APIs for CGI applications	.	24
Get Environment Variable (QtmhGetEnv) API . . 25
Put Environment Variable (QtmhPutEnv) API . . 26
Read from Stdin (QtmhRdStin) API . . . .	. 27
Write to Stdout (QtmhWrStout) API . . . .	. 29
Convert to DB (QtmhCvtDB) API	. 30
Parse QUERY_STRING Environment Variable or
Post stdin data (QzhbCgiParse) API . . . .	. 32
Produce Full HTTP Response (QzhbCgiUtils) API		36
Configuration APIs	.	38
Convert URL to Path (QzhbCvtURLtoPath) API		38
Retrieve Directive (QzhbRetrieveDirective) API		40
Retreive a list of all Configuration Names
(QzhbGetConfigNames) API	. 42
Create a Configuration (QzhbCreateConfig) API		43
Delete a Configuration (QzhbDeleteConfig) API		44
Read a Configuration File into Memory
(QzhbOpenConfig) API	. 45
Free a Configuration File from Memory
(QzhbCloseConfig) API	.	46
Search for a Main Directive (QzhbFindDirective)
API	.	47

Search for a Subdirective under Main Directive
(QzhbFindSubdirective) API	.	49
Return Details of a Main Directive or
Subdirective (QzhbGetDirectiveDetail) API . .	. 51
Add a Main Directive or Subdirective
(QzhbAddDirective) API	.	52
Remove a Main Directive or Subdirective
(QzhbRemoveDirective) API	. 54
Replace a Main Directive or Subdirective
(QzhbReplaceDirective) API	.	55
Server instance APIs	.	56
Retrieve a list of all Server Instances
(QzhbGetInstanceNames) API	. 56
Look up Server Instance Data
(QzhbGetInstanceData) API	.	58
Change Server Instance Data
(QzhbChangeInstanceData) API	. 60
Create a Server Instance (QzhbCreateInstance)
API	.	62
Delete a Server Instance (QzhbDeleteInstance)
API	.	63
Group file APIs	.	64
Create a new Group File (QzhbCreateGroupList)
API	.	64
Read a Group File into Memory
(QzhbOpenGroupList) API	. 65
Free Group File from Memory
(QzhbCloseGroupList) API	. 67
Retrieve the next Group in the Group List
(QzhbGetNextGroup) API	. 68
Locate a named group in a Group List
(QzhbFindGroupInList) API	. 69
Retrieve the Name of a Group
(QzhbGetGroupName) API	. 70
Add a new Group to the end of a Group List
(QzhbAddGroupToList) API	. 71
Remove a Group from a Group List
(QzhbRemoveGroupFromList) API . . . .	. 72
Retrieve the next User in the Group
(QzhbGetNextUser) API	.	73
Locate a User in a Group
(QzhbFindUserInGroup) API	. 74
Retrieve the Name of a User
(QzhbGetUserString) API	.	75
Add a new user to the end of a Group
(QzhbAddUserToGroup) API	. 76
Remove a User or Element from a Group
(QzhbRemoveUserFromGroup) API . . . .	. 77

Chapter 3.	Using Net.Data to Write CGI
Programs for You		.	79
Overview of Net.Data			. 79
Chapter 4.	Using Persistent CGI
Programs		.	81

iii

AS/400E specifications

The IBM AS/400E, now more commonly known as IBM i, is a robust and versatile midrange server that has been designed to provide a comprehensive computing solution for businesses of all sizes. First introduced in the late 1980s, the AS/400 series has undergone multiple enhancements and rebranding, with the AS/400E being one of the notable iterations. This powerful platform is closely associated with IBM's commitment to reliability, scalability, and integrated business solutions.

One of the main features of the AS/400E is its highly integrated architecture that combines hardware and software into a cohesive system. This integration allows for seamless operations, reducing the complexity typically associated with managing disparate systems. The system is powered by IBM's proprietary OS/400 operating system, which has evolved into IBM i, featuring advanced capabilities like object-oriented programming, integrated database management, and security features that are essential for enterprise environments.

A key characteristic of the AS/400E is its robust database support, primarily through the use of DB2 for i. This integrated database management system enables efficient data handling and retrieval, facilitating real-time business analytics and reporting. Furthermore, the platform supports a variety of programming languages, including RPG, COBOL, and Java, making it flexible for developers who require diverse tools for application development.

The AS/400E is also known for its exceptional reliability and uptime, making it a preferred choice for critical business applications in industries such as finance, healthcare, and manufacturing. This reliability is backed by advanced error detection and correction mechanisms, as well as redundancy features that help prevent data loss and minimize downtime.

In terms of scalability, the AS/400E can effortlessly expand to accommodate growing business demands. Organizations can increase processing power by adding more resources without significant disruption. This scalability, combined with the system’s built-in virtualization capabilities, allows businesses to optimize resource usage and streamline operations.

Security is another defining feature of the AS/400E. The platform incorporates various layers of security measures, including user authentication, encryption, and comprehensive auditing capabilities, ensuring that sensitive business data is protected against unauthorized access.

Overall, the IBM AS/400E remains a powerful tool in the enterprise computing landscape, providing businesses with an integrated, reliable, and secure solution for their technological needs. Its enduring popularity is a testament to its capability to evolve with changing business requirements while maintaining its core attributes of high performance and stability.

IBM AS/400E manual Contents

Models: AS/400E

AS/400E specifications