Most IBM i teams lack a safe way to explore modernization without risking production systems or forcing developers through rigid tutorials.
This project provides a fully working PHP-to-RPG application that teams can run, dissect, and modify to understand how modern web workflows integrate with IBM i business logic.
What this enables
- Run a real browser-based application on IBM i
- Authenticate users with token-based login
- Process business transactions through RPG
- Understand how web applications integrate with IBM i systems
- Experiment safely without impacting production environments
This approach helps teams reduce risk, accelerate onboarding, and make more confident modernization decisions.
Who this is for
- RPG developers exploring modernization
- IBM i teams without a clear starting point
- Developers who learn by breaking down real systems—not tutorials
Watch the system in action (2-minute demo)
See login, token auth, and real RPG-backed transactions running end-to-end in under 2 minutes.
<Demo video here>
Many modernization guides focus on isolated examples, but real systems are interconnected and harder to understand in practice.
This project was designed as a working system that can be explored, modified, and extended—mirroring how real IBM i applications behave.
Instead of teaching developers how to build an application step-by-step, this provides a complete working system—something you can take apart and understand on your own terms.
Think of it like being handed a working alarm clock instead of instructions—you learn by exploring how it actually works.
System Overview (Banking Example)
The application models a simple banking system with deposits and withdrawals processed through RPG.
This demonstrates how business logic can remain on the IBM i while modern interfaces are layered on top.
A full walkthrough and installation guide are included below so you can run and explore the system yourself.
This project is intended as a learning and exploration environment. It demonstrates architectural patterns rather than production-ready implementations.
Repository
Explore, run, and modify the full system on GitHub → link.
The repository includes:
- Full application code
- Setup instructions
- Example workflows
Prerequisites
- Your environment set up to do PHP on IBM i
- You have installed Composer
- You have access and credentials to the IBM i OS
Installation / Setup
You can install and run the full system using the instructions below:
Built by an IBM i developer focused on helping teams modernize safely and take ownership of their systems.
- IBM Champion (2026)
- TechChannel Rising Star (2025)
- COMMON Certified ILE RPG Developer
- IBM i Community Advocate
If your team is working on IBM i modernization and needs a practical starting point, I’d be glad to connect and discuss how this approach could help.
The i Developer's Corner 