Can I create a PHP site on a Windows GUI (Zend) and deploy on iSeries HTTP Server?

kissiffer4

Hi,

Apologies if this is obvious, but I am working in an iSeries environment and would like to host a PHP web application on the iSeries. I know PHP fairly well within the windows world and currently create and run my PHP apps on Windows. Can I continue to create PHP web apps on windows and deploy to the iSeries HTTP server? I will be accessing an AS400 database.

Any feedback/help much appreciated 🙂

Thanks.

jeepin81

Yep. You need to install Zend Studio on system-i. It's fairly easy. There are some good redbooks out there to help. V6R1 is easy peasy with SQL. Pervious releases use CQE vs SQE so there are some funky issues going down that channel.

ZendFramework is pretty slick as well.

If you have a new system-i IBM actually will install Zend Studio off a voucher. Actually, they'll send a rep to your shop if need be. I believe the system as to be under a year.

ps: as/400 db is a DB2. That might help your searching

Pikachu2000

Don't mean to derail the thread, but, V6R1?!? Wow. I guess it's been a while since I've been around AS/400's. Last one I administered, we had just installed the "brand new" release: V4R5. Thanks for making me feel old . . .

jeepin81

Here is something that even blows my mind - V6 has only been in production for about 20mo's give or take a few and they are not even doing a new release and are going straight to V7. whaaaa, what?!?

Also, that pretty little db that's very easy to use that goes by the name of MySQL can now be installed on top of DB2. Now that's a power play! Open source sitting pretty right on top of DB2. System-i is really starting to open up.

kissiffer4

Hi Jeep,

Thanks for the info. I'll certainly take a look at Zend 🙂 So, can I still do the PHP development on the Zend client on my windows machine and deploy to system-i?

Also, do you have a link for an appropriate Red Book? I had a look, but being fairly new to system-i was not quite sure which one to shoot for.

Thanks!

jeepin81

Here's a link from IBM that has step by step instructions:

http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/data/library/techarticle/dm-0606gupta/

Here's the main Redbook:
http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/abstracts/SG247327.html

When you say you're creating your scripts on windows what db are you using? I can only assume MySQL which you can install on system-i. Otherwise, there are a few db connections issues your need to be aware of Like: db2_fetch_assoc or db2_prepare, db2_exec, etc... those are different form MySQL. Otherwise, PHP is PHP and is will parse the same.

Maybe check out this link:
http://publib-b.boulder.ibm.com/Redbooks.nsf/RedpieceAbstracts/redp3639.html

The only difference is where your data is being stored, ie: DB2. It's still apache(or tomcat) that's serving.

If you're new to ibm you might want to consult w/ IBM on the install. Jim Dillard is the IBM/Zend sales rep that fronts all q&a. Hope that helps.

ps: you need to prepare and close your cursor on db. ie: db2_prepare and i5_close('$yourconnection'); Just a heads-up.