NATURAL Web Integration

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NATURALWeb Integration Special Interest Group
South - English -
Theo Straeten SAG Systemhaus GmbH Translated by
Dieter W. Storr
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NATURAL_at_WEBOverview

• NATURAL_at_WEB connects NATURAL applications with
  the Web Server
• Easy to create dynamically web pages
• Interactive applications are possible
• Less HTML knowledge is necessary
• Use existing know-how

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NATURAL_at_WEBArchitecture (1)
Web Browser
Application
HTTP API HTML API
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NATURAL_at_WEBArchitecture (2)

• ENTIRE BROKER RPC/DCOM
• WEB Adapter Is a connection between the
  HTTP-Server and the ENTIRE BROKER
• The first adapter is based on CGI (Common
  Gateway Interface)
• Adapter for ISAPI and NSAPI is under development
• DCOM interface in NaturalX will continue

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NATURAL_at_WEBHTTP API (1)

• Basic Functions
• Initialize RPC/CGI
• Define dynamic or static pages
• Read data from HTTP server
• Send page to the HTTP Server
• Handle Errors

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NATURAL_at_WEBHTTP API (2)

• Creates HTML syntax
• HTML document (lt/BODYgtlt/HTMLgt)
• Formats
• Links and Graphics
• Forms

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NATURAL_at_WEBHTTP API (3)

• Forms in detail
• Checkbox / radio button
• Input fields
• Buttons
• List box / selection box
• Text area
• Tables
• Rest with HTTP subroutines

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Application example (1)

• ZDF SPHINXgt 4 Millions of documents on MVS
  host,gt 1000 user, 3270 emulation
• ADABAS TRS
• DB for messages of agents
• WWW added value protection of the investments

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SPHINX (old)
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SPHINX (new)
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Application example (2)

• ANZAG (pharmacy whole sale) Order and delivery
  system Connection between drug stores and
  on-line mainframe applications (MVS) w/o
  modifications of the applications.
• WWW Customers are satisfied New channels of
  distribution

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Application example(3)

• Employees in the Web
• List Library with IExplorer
• List Source ...

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Application ExampleEmployees in the WEB(4)
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Application example List Library (5)
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Application example List Source ...(6)
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Tools(1)

• NATURAL WEB Wizard creates basic web pages
• Several HTML examples
• SYSHTML, SYSHTMLD, SYSHTTP
• Online documentation written with NATURAL_at_WEB
• NATURAL HTML Wizard creates from HTML pages
  NATURAL web applications

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Tools(2)

• NATURAL HTML Wizard creates from HTML pages
  NATURAL_at_WEB source

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Features Benefits (1)

• Web pages starts NATURAL subprograms
• Easy access to functions and applications
  Reusable application logic (data check,
  referential integrity)
• No Special interface
• No new language

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Features Benefits (2)

• NATURAL programs create dynamical web pages
• Application controls layout contents
• Data is available and accessible from all sources

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Features Benefits (3)

• Communication based on middleware
• Soft and simple integration in existing C/S
  environment
• Homogeneous middleware

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Conclusion

• NATURAL_at_WEB offers
• Standardized inexpensive infrastructure
• WWW Browser as an universal client
• Uses existing application development experience
  for your web applications

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Questions?