Using RESTful APIs with Gen to break down enterprise silos

Broadcom is investing in the future of Gen. To drive the direction of these investments, we’ve asked customers to set the priority. Top of the list is leveraging RESTful APIs so applications interact seamlessly, including your Gen applications.

Why do Gen customers want to use APIs?

When we probed deeper to understand the business benefits Gen users are seeking, we repeatedly heard about automation, modernization, and seamless interactions in a complex portfolio.

Here are some of the benefits Gen users gain from APIs:

• Critical business functionality runs on Gen applications. RESTful APIs break down the silos and open Gen business functionality to the rest of the enterprise.
• Modernization efforts are accelerated by retaining existing business functionality and expanding opportunities with RESTful APIs.
• One of the key elements of the RESTful approach is the independence of the services themselves. This gives rise to easier and faster updates thru automated testing approaches at the defined API level.

How do I leverage APIs with my Gen applications?

RESTful APIs are a two-way point of communication. You can publish a RESTful API for other applications to call, and you can consume (or call out to) RESTful APIs that have been published by other applications.

Here are a few ways Gen customers are using APIs:

• Replacing batch jobs with real-time access to data via APIs.
• Modernizing with APIs to replace tools like MQ.
• Enabling non-Gen applications to leverage existing business logic in Gen via APIs.
• Configure business logic to automatically update based on changes in regulation, using APIs, without having to redeploy your Gen application.

What functionality is available right now? (as of July 2023)

• Consuming RESTful APIs is available for Gen’s CICS, Java and COBOL/Batch applications, and is already available with your existing Toolset licenses. You will need to be current on Gen v8.6 (Toolset, Runtimes, and Generators).
• Publishing RESTful APIs is available for Gen’s CICS and Java applications via a tool called WebServices GENius. Broadcom has partnered with Response Systems so we can offer WebServices GENius directly to you. (More Info Here)

What’s next?*

You have the power to influence the Gen product roadmap. Based on customer feedback, next in line is consuming RESTful APIs for Gen’s C#/.NET, C/Windows, and COBOL/IMS applications. If you have other needs, let us know by submitting an “Idea” in the Broadcom Community.

Do customers really influence enhancements to Gen?

Absolutely! In addition to the enhancements mentioned above, the Gen product team has also:

• Added native support for security schemes.
• Enabled consuming RESTful APIs when in Compatibility Mode.
• Improved the Toolset to simplify configuring and editing your Call REST statement.
• Expanded consuming RESTful APIs for COBOL/Batch applications to include support for TSOAE, as well as DLIBATCH and IMS_BMP attach types.
• Created training videos and knowledge articles to simplify getting started and address specific use cases for consuming RESTful APIs.

How do I get started?

• Join the Gen EDGE Community for quick links to training and documentation about Gen’s RESTful API capabilities. Enable email notifications so you know when more enhancements have been published.
• Check out the Gen Course Catalog for web-based training videos.
• Review the Gen manual on TechDocs — Add a Call REST Statement.
• Learn more in this “HUB” knowledge article.

*This blog contains forward-looking statements. These are subject to change at any time without notice. The development, release, and timing remain at Broadcom’s sole discretion.