Picto Transformer DB

IBM i (aka AS/400 or AS400) DATABASE MODERNIZATION

ARCAD Transformer DB

Modernize your DB2 for i databases

IBM i Modernization Solution

WITH ARCAD TRANSFORMER DB Open and standardize your DB2 databases whilst improving their performance

Standardize on SQL

» Convert DDS files to DDL (SQL) tables and views automatically

Open up your application

» Open your DB2 database access to external applications

Boost Performance

» Forget outdated DB2 for i database techniques

Automate your conversion

» Contains powerful “Process” to accelerate the renaming fields

Convert at zero risk

» Automatically detect programs that could potentially cause dangerous integrity violations

Enhance maintainability

» Dramatically increase the readability / maintainability of the database code

Let’s Modernize your DB2 databases with ARCAD TRANSFORMER DB

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ARCAD Transformer DB Datasheet

ARCAD Transformer DB Features

The DB2 database capability is and will continue to be the major development advantage of the IBM i platform, thanks to its well-renowned reliability, security and scalability. To take advantage of the full power of the DB2 for i engine, you will need to modernize your existing databases by migrating to a full relational model. ARCAD Transformer DB, lastest member of the ARCAD Transformer family, helps open up your application to new technologies, allowing for progressive conversion from DDS to DDL (SQL), with mass transformation and/or piece-by-piece.

Download this datasheet to learn more about ARCAD Transformer DB and discover why the conversion to SQL helps future-proof your IBM i applications.

  • Data Integrity Checking
  • Identification of any causes of data corruption
  • Automated transformation from DSS to SQL DDL

Download the Datasheet

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By converting to a modern language and tools, our IBM i application is now easy to maintain by young developers. We have been able to leverage the 20 years’ worth of functional enhancements to our application.

Hugues Clement IT Manager at GeodisHugues Clément, IT Manager at GEODIS

ARCAD provides us with a unique set of integrated tools, and once we have improved one part of the process, ARCAD is ready to help with the next challenge such as the automation of unit testing, source code analysis, cross-referencing and many other resource intensive tasks on IBM i.

Wayne Millow IBM i Systems Manager Brown Borther EngineersWayne Willow, IBM i Systems Manager
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FAQ

Features

ARCAD Transformer DB offers a comprehensive solution for modernizing native IBM i databases. It facilitates the gradual transformation of Data Description Specifications (DDS), including Physical Files (PF) and Logical Files (LF), into Data Definition Language (DDL) scripts, which are used to create Tables, Indexes, Views, and more.

Both approaches are possible. ARCAD Transformer DB is available as a licensed product, but modernization can also be provided “As A Service”.

Advantages and Benefits

There are multiple reasons to move towards an RDBMS like DB2:

  • Use a standard model to structure your data.
  • Access the latest platform features (CLOB, BLOB, DECFLOAT, XML, Identities, Masks) and simplify development.
  • Make the platform more accessible to non-specialists and ease the transition for new generations.
  • Improve the readability and maintainability of data architecture, even for resources unfamiliar with IBM i.
  • Enhance data security by enforcing integrity controls at the data model level rather than within programs.
  • Improve data access performance.
  • Enable scalability to handle large volumes of data.
  • Take advantage of IBM i future enhancements.

SQL is better suited for handling large data volumes, leading to immediate performance improvements.

ARCAD Transformer DB automates:

  • Preliminary audits of data quality and structure.
  • Detection of anomalies and identification of faulty programs.
  • Impact analysis of components affected by modernization.
  • Automated changes and recompilation of affected components.
  • Deployment automation of the modernized database in production.

Modernization Process

The process is adaptable. The operating system fully supports hybrid models, enabling you to modernize your database either all at once or gradually, based on your specific needs and constraints.

Unfortunately, no. DDS architecture allows certain modeling structures that have no direct equivalent in SQL DDL, such as multi-member files.

ARCAD Transformer DB’s initial audit automatically identifies these components. They can remain in DDS or be addressed separately to eliminate constraints.

ARCAD Transformer DB is designed to perform a true conversion, but it also supports the Surrogate approach.

Not necessarily. However, if recompilation is required, it can be automated.

Although not required, modernizing your database to DDL SQL presents a valuable opportunity to implement long names, enhancing readability and maintainability for development languages. Additionally, it enables the inclusion of audit columns like session ID, user, job name, and last update date, which are automatically managed by the RDBMS and the system.

While PF (Physical Files) and LF (Logical Files) are always affected, other components (such as DSPF, PRTF, and even CLPs) may need adjustments, depending on the context. ARCAD Transformer DB automatically identifies affected components and applies necessary modifications.

Absolutely not. However, corrupt data (dirty data) in PF files may block final conversion (e.g., alphanumeric data in a numeric field).

ARCAD Transformer DB’s initial audit analyzes data quality and integrity, identifying corrupt data that must be corrected. It also detects programs causing anomalies if the issue is still active.

Yes. An extension allows integration with ARCAD for DevOps, enabling automated deployment processes.

Yes, this is a necessary step. However, if data integrity is not validated beforehand, the process can fail. Deployment also requires sufficient disk space, as data will temporarily exist in both files and tables.

Since data copying can be time-consuming, ARCAD Transformer DB can be combined with DROPS WAP to handle situations where maintenance windows are too short.

DROPS WAP minimizes downtime when deploying database modifications in production.

Yes. Even though integrity constraints do not exist between physical files (PF), ARCAD Transformer DB parses RPG code to assist in their identification. If needed, ARCAD Transformer DB can validate integrity constraints both offline, by auditing production data, and online, by analyzing how programs manipulate the data.

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