What's your favorite MacOS app or tool ?
I wanted to start keeping track of the various apps I use or have tried so I decided what better place than a GitHub page.This blog serves as a platform for sharing my insights into the software industry and other topics. With modernization expertise in desktop, web and mobile development, business process automation, rpa, document management, electronic forms, automated document distribution, system architecture and integration, I aim to provide valuable perspectives and knowledge. Reach out with your IBM i, Windows, Linux or MacOS integration questions.
Email: richard@mobigogo.net Web: https://www.mobigogo.net
Sunday, August 17, 2025
My List of Favorite MacOS Apps
Friday, August 15, 2025
Dynamic SQL with Soft Coded Parameters from IBM i CL Programs
Sunday, August 10, 2025
Modernizing IBM i Integration with Linux on Power
As businesses evolve, the ability to connect legacy systems like IBM i with modern applications, trading partners, and cloud services is no longer optional—it’s essential. For IBM i shops looking to bridge that gap without a complete overhaul, Linux on Power Systems offers a smart, scalable path forward to enhance IBM i integration and connectivity.
Why Connectivity is Key
IBM i has long been a rock-solid platform for enterprise workloads. But in a today's digital world, you need more than stability—you need flexibility. That includes real-time data exchange, modern APIs, scripting support, and access to the open-source ecosystem.
Enter: Linux on Power
- PowerShell
- .NET
- PHP
- Python
- Node.js
- Go
- Rust
- Java/Kotlin
- Bash
- And many more
With Linux on Power alongside IBM i, you can develop, automate, and integrate without disrupting your core systems.
What You Gain
- Bus level high-speed connectivity between IBM i and Power Linux partitions
- Enhanced connectivity to cloud and trading partners
- Modern development frameworks
- Open-source tooling at enterprise scale
- Cost-effective modernization
- A hybrid platform that plays to the strengths of IBM i and Linux
Ready to Connect IBM i to the Future?
Learn more and explore documentation at:
🔗 Linux on Power Overview – IBM
Feel free to reach out with questions.
Saturday, August 09, 2025
PASE (Portable Application Solutions Environment) and QShell on IBM i feels a lot like Linux
PASE (Portable Application Solutions Environment) and QShell on IBM i feels a lot like working in a Linux or UNIX environment, and there's a good reason for that.
Why PASE Feels Like Linux
PASE is essentially a runtime environment on IBM i that allows AIX (IBM’s UNIX) binaries to run. Since AIX is UNIX-compliant, and Linux shares much of the same philosophy and command-line behavior, working in PASE can indeed feel like working on Linux.
Here are some similarities and practical takeaways:
Similarities Between PASE and Linux
Shell commands like
ls
,cd
,pwd
,grep
,cat
, grep, etc., are available in both environments.File system navigation behaves similarly (though the underlying file systems are quite different — IFS on IBM i vs ext4, xfs, etc. on Linux).
Environment variables like
$PATH
,$HOME
, and others are used in both.Scripting with shells like
sh
,ksh
, or evenbash
(if installed) can be practiced in both systems.SSH access allows terminal-based work just like in a Linux shell.
Tools like
vi
,awk
,sed
,ps
,kill,nano
, andcron
are either identical or very close in functionality.
What’s Different
QShell vs PASE:
QShell is a POSIX-like shell on IBM i, but it's not a full UNIX shell. It lacks some scripting features and behaves differently in areas like redirection and process handling.
PASE is closer to real UNIX/Linux, especially when running native AIX binaries.
File paths:
IBM i uses the IFS (Integrated File System) which is different from the hierarchical Linux file system.
/home/user
might work, but behind the scenes, you're still dealing with IBM i objects and structure.
Access to native IBM i resources:
Native IBM i commands (like
WRKACTJOB
,DSPLIB
, etc.) aren't directly usable in PASE without special handling via the system command.
Why Working on One Helps with the Other
Linux gives you muscle memory for shell navigation, scripting, and using standard UNIX tools.
PASE gives you exposure to working in a hybrid environment, where UNIX concepts meet IBM i's robustness and control.
So yes — if you're an IBM i developer looking to sharpen your skills, getting comfortable with Linux can directly enhance your productivity in PASE and QShell, and vice-versa.