Intro to AS400 Background to AS400 Best Practices Full Guide Common Commands and Quick Guide Administration Example One Example Two

Understanding AS400 and Its Object-Based Architecture

Introduction

The AS400, now known as IBM i, is a midrange computer system known for its reliability, security, and high performance. One of its standout features is its object-based implementation, which sets it apart from traditional file-based or relational systems.

Object-Based Architecture

Unlike conventional operating systems that manage files and databases separately, AS400 treats everything as an object. This approach is somewhat similar to NoSQL databases, where stored entities are managed as structured objects rather than simple rows and columns.

Key Advantages

  • Performance: The object-based approach allows efficient data retrieval and storage, optimizing high-demand applications.
  • Security: Every object has built-in security attributes, making the system robust against unauthorized access.
  • Integration: AS400 seamlessly integrates with various enterprise applications due to its structured approach to handling data.

Example: AS400 Object Management

Consider an example where a program and a database file are stored as objects. You can use the following command to work with objects:

WRKOBJ OBJ(*ALL/*ALL)

This command lists all objects within the system, showing how AS400 manages resources differently from traditional file systems.

Comparison with NoSQL

Similar to NoSQL, AS400 allows flexible data storage. For instance, a NoSQL document database may store records in JSON format:

{
    "CustomerID": 123,
    "Name": "John Doe",
    "Orders": [
        {"OrderID": 1, "Amount": 100},
        {"OrderID": 2, "Amount": 250}
    ]
}

In AS400, a similar structure can be managed using its object-based paradigm, allowing hierarchical data organization.

Conclusion

The AS400 system’s object-based implementation enhances its efficiency, making it a powerful choice for enterprise computing. With features akin to NoSQL, it offers flexibility, security, and high performance in managing structured data.