MAP525 - Mobile App Development for IBM

Subject Title
Mobile App Development for IBM

Subject Description

Business applications on IBM midrange and mainframe systems are being modernized for use on many device platforms, including mobile. Working with the IBM i system, this course teaches students how to create new apps, and extend existing apps, for Android and iOS device platforms.

IBM i platform programming technologies, including RPG and the integrated database, are used to build apps which can be deployed to a mobile device. Device features can be integrated, including communication, location, and media capture. The result can transform and modernize an organization's line-of-business applications while leveraging existing IBM i knowledge.

Credit Status
One (1) professional option credit in the CPA or CPD programs

Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this subject the student will be able to:

• Be able to set up a connection from a Mobile Device to the IBM i
• Be able to evolve your existing IBMi RPG “character based” skills to deliver RPG “graphical” apps on iOS or Android devices.
• Effectively use existing IBM i development tools and LongRange Studio to develop a new mobile business application
• Use tracing at the program and system levels to debug mobile enhanced applications

Essential Employability Skills

    •  Communicate clearly, concisely and correctly in the written, spoken and visual form that fulfils the purpose and meets the needs of the audience.

    •  Respond to written, spoken, or visual messages in a manner that ensures effective communication.

    •  Execute mathematical operations accurately.

    •  Apply a systematic approach to solve problems.

    •  Use a variety of thinking skills to anticipate and solve problems.

    •  Locate, select, organize, and document information using appropriate technology and information systems.

    •  Analyze, evaluate, and apply relevant information from a variety of sources.

    •  Manage the use of time and other resources to complete projects.

    •  Take responsibility for one's own actions, decisions, and consequences.

Academic Integrity
Seneca upholds a learning community that values academic integrity, honesty, fairness, trust, respect, responsibility and courage. These values enhance Seneca's commitment to deliver high-quality education and teaching excellence, while supporting a positive learning environment. Ensure that you are aware of Seneca's Academic Integrity Policy which can be found at: http://www.senecapolytechnic.ca/about/policies/academic-integrity-policy.html Review section 2 of the policy for details regarding approaches to supporting integrity. Section 2.3 and Appendix B of the policy describe various sanctions that can be applied, if there is suspected academic misconduct (e.g., contract cheating, cheating, falsification, impersonation or plagiarism).

Please visit the Academic Integrity website http://open2.senecac.on.ca/sites/academic-integrity/for-students to understand and learn more about how to prepare and submit work so that it supports academic integrity, and to avoid academic misconduct.

Discrimination/Harassment
All students and employees have the right to study and work in an environment that is free from discrimination and/or harassment. Language or activities that defeat this objective violate the College Policy on Discrimination/Harassment and shall not be tolerated. Information and assistance are available from the Student Conduct Office at student.conduct@senecapolytechnic.ca.

Accommodation for Students with Disabilities
The College will provide reasonable accommodation to students with disabilities in order to promote academic success. If you require accommodation, contact the Counselling and Accessibility Services Office at ext. 22900 to initiate the process for documenting, assessing and implementing your individual accommodation needs.

Camera Use and Recordings - Synchronous (Live) Classes
Synchronous (live) classes may be delivered in person, in a Flexible Learning space, or online through a Seneca web conferencing platform such as MS Teams or Zoom. Flexible Learning spaces are equipped with cameras, microphones, monitors and speakers that capture and stream instructor and student interactions, providing an in-person experience for students choosing to study online.

Students joining a live class online may be required to have a working camera in order to participate, or for certain activities (e.g. group work, assessments), and high-speed broadband access (e.g. Cable, DSL) is highly recommended. In the event students encounter circumstances that impact their ability to join the platform with their camera on, they should reach out to the professor to discuss. Live classes may be recorded and made available to students to support access to course content and promote student learning and success.

By attending live classes, students are consenting to the collection and use of their personal information for the purposes of administering the class and associated coursework. To learn more about Seneca's privacy practices, visit Privacy Notice.

Setting up the connection

• Installation and use of Long Range Studio on the PC
• Installation of Long Range on your mobile device
• Understanding schema terminology and the set up of a connection from a Mobile Device to the IBM i. 

Enhancing an existing RPGLE application

• Understanding the basics of Program Execution, and how screens are designed and displayed
• Using LongRange Studio to define the static parts of an application
• Using LongRange studio to plug in prototype programs.

A Mobile Business Application

• Reading from the DB2/400 database and displaying contents on Mobile Devices both in ?flat screen? areas and in tables and lists.
• Writing an RPGLE program to update the database

Programming techniques using Long Range Studio and RDi

• Leveraging the various Mobile Device features and application controls, such as dropdowns, date fields, map, geolocation, camera, labels, textbox, image, etc.
• Linking multiple forms together. 
• Developing a program with a ?programmatically defined? User Interface on the Mobile Device as a dynamic design based on user, database values, business logic etc., to control what IS and ISN?T displayed.
• Utilizing some ?Modular Programming?, and ?Object Orientation?, to leverage a centralized Library of some predefined ?Optimized Mobile Device Presentation Layouts?, to help with presentation standards and with programmer productivity and speed of development