Ask R&D: NaturalONE and DevOps PART II
August 6, 2024
Part II of the Ask R&D: NaturalONE and DevOps session focuses on tools and tips for effective development, emphasizing repository-based development and best practices.
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Highlights
- Utilizing version control systems.
- Tips shared for efficient coding practices.
- Continuous integration and deployment.
- The importance of collaboration highlighted in development.
Key Insights
Repository-Based Development: This approach centralizes source code management, enhancing collaboration and version control among developers.
Debugging Capabilities: Utilizing the debugging features within NaturalONE can significantly streamline troubleshooting, saving time and improving code quality.
Data Explorer Usage: Familiarity with the Data Explorer can help developers efficiently manage and inspect data structures, facilitating better decision-making during development.
Version Control Importance: Implementing a version control system like Git allows teams to track changes, collaborate more effectively, and maintain a single source of truth for their codebase.- Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD): Automating the deployment process can reduce errors and improve the speed of delivering features and fixes to production environments.
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Ask R&D: NaturalONE & DevOps
July 17, 2024
Natural’s developers share technical tips and tricks! Watch the video from this event hosted by the International Adabas & Natural User Group.
The first Ask R&D webinar session focuses on the differences between NaturalONE DevOps and NaturalONE Server Mode. Zvonimir Ivanetic and Eli Cohen cover repository-based development, walk us through the first steps of using NaturalONE DevOps and offer best practices.
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Highlights
- Live demonstration of NaturalONE to illustrate its functionalities. Practical insights into its advantages and workflows.
- Best DevOps practices for efficient application development.
- Details on community support and collaborative development.
Key Insights
Server vs. Repository-Based Development: Understanding the differences is crucial for teams transitioning to modern workflows.
Private Mode Advantages: Utilizing private mode libraries allows developers to make isolated changes, reducing conflicts and errors during collaborative development.- Integration with CI/CD Tools: Integrating NaturalONE with tools like Jenkins automates deployments, ensuring that changes are consistently reflected across environments.
Collaboration and Version Control: Repository-based development enables parallel work through branching, allowing teams to manage changes effectively without overwriting each other’s work.
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From Legacy to Leading Edge: Adabas and Natural Virtual Spring Meeting
May 15, 2024
Keep up with all the interesting findings and discussions from the Adabas & Natural Spring User Group event. The meeting discussed modernizing mainframe applications, focusing on Adabas and Natural, with sessions on APIs, data synchronization, and development tools.
Highlights
- Agile development with the Virginia DMV: Discover how they modernized their mainframe applications using Software AG solutions.
- Achieving high availability: Learn about the new Natural Availability Server, that provides seamless failover.
- Upskilling with IBM Z XPlore: Explore resources to close the skills gap for Adabas DBAs and Natural programmers.
Key Insights
Cloud Access: The cloud-based mainframe access simplifies entry for new users, enabling coding and job management in a familiar environment. This encourages wider adoption of mainframe technologies.
Skill Acquisition: The free IBM program for skill development highlights the importance of continuous learning in adapting to evolving mainframe technologies.
Modernization Tools: Natural for AJAX empowers developers to create web applications from existing code, thus bridging the gap between legacy systems and modern web requirements.
Integration Flexibility: Natural APIs utilize RESTful architecture, making it easier to connect mainframe systems with other applications, enhancing interoperability within diverse IT ecosystems.- Data Management: The Data Unleashed tool streamlines data management, ensuring real-time access and synchronization across platforms, which is crucial for data-driven decision-making.
JCL Relevance: The continued usage of DD cards in JCL emphasizes the need for understanding legacy tools while integrating modern solutions, ensuring a smooth transition for developers.
Community Engagement: Participate in future user group meetings that foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing.
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Adabas & Natural Virtual User Group Meeting North America Nov 2023
November 8, 2023
The meeting focused on innovations in Adabas and Natural, emphasizing a zero-trust security framework to support customers effectively.
Highlights
- Adabas & Natural 2050+ commitment to innovation
- What Zero Trust security means for you
- Continuous access verification and least privilege access.
- Adabas & Natural troubleshooting techniques
- Modular modernization applied at a State Government
- How to adopt a hybrid architecture
- Creating PDFs with Natural
- Leveraging Linux with ease
Key Insights
- Innovations in Technology: The latest developments in Adabas and Natural enhance user experience and operational efficiency, ensuring customers stay competitive.
- Zero Trust Security Framework: Prioritizing security through continuous verification and limiting access to sensitive data helps organizations mitigate risks and protect their assets effectively.
Comprehensive Security Features: The combination of encryption, authentication, and auditing tools provides a robust defense against unauthorized access and data breaches.- Cross-Platform Support: Organizations can achieve consistent security measures across diverse environments by offering security solutions on both z/OS and Linux platforms.
API Modernization: Exposing legacy systems as modern APIs allows for greater flexibility and integration, facilitating easier access to critical data in contemporary formats like JSON.
Training and Resources: Ongoing training and resource availability empower users to adapt to new technologies and methodologies, ensuring they can handle evolving challenges.
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Ask Research and Development: Natural Syntax and Runtime
October 12, 2023
The Ask R&D webinar introduced key topics in Software AG Natural, focusing on syntax, runtime, and performance improvements, with interactive Q&A sessions.
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Highlights
- How to improve performance with STORE / UPDATE
- What Is the difference between READ … THRU and READ … TO
- How to read with Adabas Multi-Fetch
- Understanding COMPRESS with EM
- How to call a REST API from Natural
- How to use the WHICH command
Key Insights
- Performance Enhancements: Discussions around optimizing database calls and using features like multi-fetch for better execution speed reflect a focus on efficiency, essential for large-scale applications.
- Resource Availability: Providing links and resources like GitHub and AHA for product innovations indicates a commitment to transparency and user involvement in product evolution.
New Functionalities: The R&D team for Natural for z/OS shares practical tips on using the Natural syntax and runtime features.
Training and Development: Highlighting training resources available for education, ensuring that customers can fully leverage the capabilities of the software.
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What’s new with Natural?
May 25, 2023
What’s new with Natural? Improve developer productivity, simplify administration, and increase security with the new programming features and administration functions in the latest release of Natural. Patrick Gould, Chief Architect, Software AG Government Solutions, reviews new features in Software AG Natural 9.1 and 9.2, focusing on productivity, security, and the transition to NaturalONE.
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Highlights
- New programming features in Natural 9.1 and 9.2.
- Transition to NaturalONE as the primary development environment.
- Enhanced security features including long password support.
- Improved productivity tools such as object-based templates.
- End of maintenance for older versions, encouraging upgrades.
- Integration with DevOps and existing Eclipse plugins.
- Access to free training resources for NaturalONE.
Key Insights
- Transitioning to NaturalONE: The shift from traditional interfaces to NaturalONE is crucial for enhancing developer productivity and user experience.
Security Enhancements: The introduction of long password support and multi-factor authentication reflects the growing emphasis on security in software development.
Productivity Features: New features like object-based templates and context-sensitive help significantly streamline coding processes.
End of Maintenance: The upcoming end of maintenance for older versions (Natural 8.2) serves as a reminder for users to update their systems. Staying current ensures access to the latest features and support.- Training Resources: Free training on NaturalONE – empowering teams to adapt quickly to new technologies and practices.