The AS/400 Toolbox for Java is a set of Java classes delivered as a Java package that enables the internet programming model. The classes can be used by Java applets and applications to easily access AS/400 data and resources. The toolbox does not require additional client support over and above what is provided by the Java Virtual Machine and JDK.

The AS/400 Toolbox for Java provides support similar to functions available when using the Client Access/400 APIs. It uses the OS/400 servers that are part of the base OS/400 operating system to access data and resources on an AS/400 system. Each of these servers runs in a separate job on the AS/400, communicating with a Java client program using architected data streams on a socket connection. The socket interfaces are hidden from the Java programmer by the AS/400 Toolbox for Java classes. Java Beans are provided for most public interfaces.

The classes do not have an end-user interface, but simply move data back and forth between the client program and an AS/400 system, under the control of the Java program. They provide access to these AS/400 resources:

• Database
  • JDBC - DB2/400 data can be accessed using a JDBC driver written to the interface defined by the Javasoft JDBC specification.
  • Record-Level file access - AS/400 physical files can be accessed a record at a time using the interface of these classes. Files and members can be created, read, deleted, and updated.

• Integrated File System - The file system classes allow access to files in the AS/400 Integrated File System. Through the integrated file system file classes a Java program can open an input or output stream, open a file for random access, list the contents of a directory, and do other common file system tasks.

• Programs - Any AS/400 program can be called. Parameters can be passed to the AS/400 program and data can be returned to the Java program when the AS/400 program exits.

• Commands - Any AS/400 batch command that is not interactive can be run. A list of AS/400 messages generated by running the command is available when the command completes.

• Data Queues - Access to both keyed and sequential data queues is provided. Entries can be added to and removed from a data queue, and data queues can be created or deleted on the AS/400 system.

• Print - Access to AS/400 print resources is provided. Using the print classes, lists of spooled files, output queues, printers, and other print resources can be retrieved. You can work with output queues and spooled files, answer messages for spooled files and do other print related tasks. Additionally, classes are provided to create new spooled files on the AS/400, and to generate SCS printer data streams. Writing directly to these classes, applications and applets can generate output on the AS/400 spool system.

Additional classes:

• Provide the infrastructure needed to manage sign on information, create and maintain sockets connections to the AS/400 services, and send and receive data.

• Provide for data description and conversion. The data description classes allow a Java program to describe the record format of a buffer of data with an object. That object is used to convert and handle the data. The conversion classes provide conversion between AS/400 and Java data formats. Classes are available to convert both numeric and character data.

• Provide for the installation and synchronization of the AS/400 Toolbox for Java package. When the user chooses to run the AS/400 Toolbox for Java package from the client workstation, classes are provided to install the package, and update the package when a PTF is applied to the AS/400.