Release notes for RKTools V7.7: Difference between revisions

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<p class="note"><b>Note:</b>This draft document describes RKTools V7.7, which is still in development. Until the commercial release of the software, Rocket reserves the right to add to, remove, or change anything described herein.</p>  
<p>[[RKTools]] V7.7 is designed for use with Model&nbsp;204 V7.7 and later but is backward compatible to Model&nbsp;204 V7.6.</p>


Release notes for the components of [[RKTools]] that have been updated for version 7.7 are listed below
Release notes for the components of RKTools that have been updated for version 7.7 are listed below:
<p class="note"><b>Note:</b> RKTools 7.7 runs only on Model&nbsp;204 version 7.7 or higher. </p>
<ul>
<ul>
<li>[[Release notes for SirPro V7.7]]</li>
<li>[[Release notes for SirPro V7.7]]</li>
Line 9: Line 8:
<li>[[Release notes for SoulEdit V7.7]]</li>
<li>[[Release notes for SoulEdit V7.7]]</li>
</ul>
</ul>
 
For information on installing RKTools V7.7, see [[RKTools installation]].
 
==Overview==
==Overview==
The RKTools 7.7 release is comprised of:  
New features and enhancements in RKTools 7.7:
<ul>
<li><b>M204PROC</b>
<p>
As of [[RKTools]] version 7.7 (mid-2017), all code for all Rocket-provided, SOUL-based products and utilities resides in the <code>M204PROC</code> file. This includes all the Dictionary/204 components (SUBSYSMGMT, FILEMGMT, etc.), all the SQL support code, and all code for the former [[UL/SPF]] products like SirPro, SirMon and SirScan. </p>
<p>
As described in [[Downloading and restoring SOUL files]]: </p>
<ul>
<ul>
<li><b>[[RKTools]] subsystem:</b> Provides access to all RKTools (formerly UL/SPF tools) from the TN3270 interface.</li>
<li>The files <code>SIRIUS</code>, <code>TSFPROC</code>, <code>CATPROC</code>, and <code>DICTDIST</code> are no longer needed as of RKTools 7.7.  </li>
<li><b>[[Dictionary/204 overview|Dictionary/204]]:</b> Now integrated into RKTools, Dictionary/204 is available either from the TN3270 interface or from RKWeb.</li>
 
<li><b>[[RKWeb]]:</b> Provides an easy-to-use web interface to many of the RKTools.
<li>Older versions of the former UL/SPF products are still available on the download page in the <code>SIRIUS</code> file, but any site running Model&nbsp;204 V7.6 or higher should use the version in <code>M204PROC</code>. </li>
 
<li>To use this RKTools version, a full installation must be performed at least once, because there are some new files, and because the application subsystem definitions need to be changed to point to the new procedure file. </li>
</ul></li>
 
<li><b>Dictionary/204</b>
<p>
As of version 7.7, [[Dictionary/204 overview|Dictionary/204]] is integrated into [[RKTools]], and it is accessible through both the RKTools and [[RKWeb]] interfaces, as well as [[Dictionary/204 logon and commands#Logging on to Dictionary/204|from the Model&nbsp;204 command line]] as before. The <var class="product">Dictionary/204</var> wiki pages primarily describe the TN3270 screens, as their appearance and functionality is mirrored in the RKWeb <code>Manage > Dictionary</code> view, which uses [[Janus Web Legacy Support]] to map the <var class="product">Dictionary/204</var> TN3270 screens to your web browser. </p>
<p>
The Dictionary/204 subsystem management tool (SUBSYSMGMT), however, is incorporated in non-Legacy views in RKWeb (the <code>Manage > Subsystem Management</code> menu options). </p></li>
 
<li><b>RKWeb</b>
<p>
[[RKWeb]], an easy-to-use web interface for managing the entire Model&nbsp;204 environment, is new in version 7.7. RKWeb provides an integrated environment, merging the members of RKTools without distinguishing them as individual products. The RKWeb tools framework provides a highly productive web interface to common Model&nbsp;204 functionality.</p>
<p>RKWeb is mobile-ready and provides a task-based UI for SOUL application development. RKWeb includes utilities to build applications; manage SOUL code, passwords, groups and SSL Certificates; and monitor performance. RKWeb also includes a journal scanner, command interface, and readers for [[SirTune]] reports and [[SirFact]] dumps. Access is restricted to some components based on ownership of the underlying products.</p>
<p>
For a summary of the RKTools components accessible from RKWeb, see [[RKWeb#Where's my RKTools 3270 functionality?|Where's my RKTools 3270 functionality?]]. </p>
<p class="note"><b>Note:</b> RKWeb requires that you have [[Janus Web Server]] set up on your system.</p></li>
 
<li><b>JANSSL interface</b>
<p>
This [[Janus Network Security]] subsystem (controlling the certificate management application) and some associated files were formerly delivered in the <code>SIRIUS</code> file but were not otherwise a part of RKTools. In V7.7,
JANSSL has been overhauled and integrated with the other components in the RKWeb interface. Although it is a new technology "under the covers," from a user point of view it is essentially the same application. </p>
<p>
V7.7 JANSSL includes support for SHA2 SSL Certificates, including SHA384. </p></li>


<p>New to RKTools in version 7.7, RKWeb provides an integrated environment merging the members of RKTools without distinguishing them as individual products.</p>  
<li><b>SIRTUNEREPORT interface</b>
<p>
Prior to version 7.7 of RKTools, <var class="product">[[SirTune]]</var> reports are only generated by using a SOUL program invoking a call to the <var>[[SirTuneReport (Dataset function)|SirTuneReport]]</var> method of the <var>Dataset</var> class, as implemented in the <code>SIRTUNEREPORT</code> SOUL program delivered with RKTools. </p>
<p>
As of RKTools 7.7, the RKWeb interface (<code>Build > Tune Reports</code>) is equipped to invoke and display <code>SIRTUNEREPORT</code> results. Using RKWeb for SirTune reports requires the same set up of input and output files described on the [[SirTune report generation]] page.</p></li>


<p>The RKWeb tools are provided in a common framework, providing a highly productive web interface to common Model 204 functions.</p>  
<li><b>SQL Server utilities</b>
<p>
As of RKTools 7.7, the RKTools and RKWeb interfaces make available the SQL Server [[SQL DDL from the Table Specification Facility|Table Specification facility (TSF)]] and the [[SQL catalog reporting and querying|catalog reporting utility (CCACATREPT)]].
RKWeb options (<code>Manage > Dictionary > SQL Catalog Reports</code> and <code>Manage > Dictionary > Table Specifications</code>) use [[Janus Web Legacy Support]] to map the <var class="product">SQL Server</var> TN3270 screens to your web browser. </p>
<p>
Using RKWeb for SQL Server requires the availability of additional supporting files and the inclusion of a separate installation procedure, as described in [[Model 204 SQL Server installation]].
</p></li>


<p>RKWeb provides a task-based UI for SOUL application development. Tasks are divided into three functional areas: <b>Build</b>, <b>Manage</b>, and <b>Monitor</b>. A command processor is also available in each functional area.</p>
<li><b>SoulEdit</b>
</li>
<p>
SoulEdit in RKTools 7.7 includes a "railway track" formatting feature that lets you easily spot indentation problems and missing block-ending lines. The [[SoulEdit]] page explains other recent updates and has a training video.</p></li>
</ul>
</ul>
<p class="note"><b>Note:</b> RKWeb requires that you have [[Janus Web Server]] set up on your system.</p>


==Common RKTools enhancements==
[[Category:RKTools]]
TBD

Latest revision as of 21:13, 13 July 2017

RKTools V7.7 is designed for use with Model 204 V7.7 and later but is backward compatible to Model 204 V7.6.

Release notes for the components of RKTools that have been updated for version 7.7 are listed below:

For information on installing RKTools V7.7, see RKTools installation.

Overview

New features and enhancements in RKTools 7.7:

  • M204PROC

    As of RKTools version 7.7 (mid-2017), all code for all Rocket-provided, SOUL-based products and utilities resides in the M204PROC file. This includes all the Dictionary/204 components (SUBSYSMGMT, FILEMGMT, etc.), all the SQL support code, and all code for the former UL/SPF products like SirPro, SirMon and SirScan.

    As described in Downloading and restoring SOUL files:

    • The files SIRIUS, TSFPROC, CATPROC, and DICTDIST are no longer needed as of RKTools 7.7.
    • Older versions of the former UL/SPF products are still available on the download page in the SIRIUS file, but any site running Model 204 V7.6 or higher should use the version in M204PROC.
    • To use this RKTools version, a full installation must be performed at least once, because there are some new files, and because the application subsystem definitions need to be changed to point to the new procedure file.
  • Dictionary/204

    As of version 7.7, Dictionary/204 is integrated into RKTools, and it is accessible through both the RKTools and RKWeb interfaces, as well as from the Model 204 command line as before. The Dictionary/204 wiki pages primarily describe the TN3270 screens, as their appearance and functionality is mirrored in the RKWeb Manage > Dictionary view, which uses Janus Web Legacy Support to map the Dictionary/204 TN3270 screens to your web browser.

    The Dictionary/204 subsystem management tool (SUBSYSMGMT), however, is incorporated in non-Legacy views in RKWeb (the Manage > Subsystem Management menu options).

  • RKWeb

    RKWeb, an easy-to-use web interface for managing the entire Model 204 environment, is new in version 7.7. RKWeb provides an integrated environment, merging the members of RKTools without distinguishing them as individual products. The RKWeb tools framework provides a highly productive web interface to common Model 204 functionality.

    RKWeb is mobile-ready and provides a task-based UI for SOUL application development. RKWeb includes utilities to build applications; manage SOUL code, passwords, groups and SSL Certificates; and monitor performance. RKWeb also includes a journal scanner, command interface, and readers for SirTune reports and SirFact dumps. Access is restricted to some components based on ownership of the underlying products.

    For a summary of the RKTools components accessible from RKWeb, see Where's my RKTools 3270 functionality?.

    Note: RKWeb requires that you have Janus Web Server set up on your system.

  • JANSSL interface

    This Janus Network Security subsystem (controlling the certificate management application) and some associated files were formerly delivered in the SIRIUS file but were not otherwise a part of RKTools. In V7.7, JANSSL has been overhauled and integrated with the other components in the RKWeb interface. Although it is a new technology "under the covers," from a user point of view it is essentially the same application.

    V7.7 JANSSL includes support for SHA2 SSL Certificates, including SHA384.

  • SIRTUNEREPORT interface

    Prior to version 7.7 of RKTools, SirTune reports are only generated by using a SOUL program invoking a call to the SirTuneReport method of the Dataset class, as implemented in the SIRTUNEREPORT SOUL program delivered with RKTools.

    As of RKTools 7.7, the RKWeb interface (Build > Tune Reports) is equipped to invoke and display SIRTUNEREPORT results. Using RKWeb for SirTune reports requires the same set up of input and output files described on the SirTune report generation page.

  • SQL Server utilities

    As of RKTools 7.7, the RKTools and RKWeb interfaces make available the SQL Server Table Specification facility (TSF) and the catalog reporting utility (CCACATREPT). RKWeb options (Manage > Dictionary > SQL Catalog Reports and Manage > Dictionary > Table Specifications) use Janus Web Legacy Support to map the SQL Server TN3270 screens to your web browser.

    Using RKWeb for SQL Server requires the availability of additional supporting files and the inclusion of a separate installation procedure, as described in Model 204 SQL Server installation.

  • SoulEdit

    SoulEdit in RKTools 7.7 includes a "railway track" formatting feature that lets you easily spot indentation problems and missing block-ending lines. The SoulEdit page explains other recent updates and has a training video.