Download JTOpen (Toolbox for Java) – Connect Java Applications to IBM i (AS/400)

JTOpen, also known as the IBM Toolbox for Java, is a free, open-source Java library that enables Java applications to communicate with IBM i (formerly AS/400 and iSeries) systems. It provides a comprehensive set of classes for accessing IBM i resources including databases (DB2 for i), data queues, program calls, command execution, print spoolers, and integrated file systems.

JTOpen is the community-maintained open-source version of the IBM Toolbox for Java, maintained under the Apache License and hosted on SourceForge and GitHub. It is fully compatible with the IBM-supplied version and supports all major IBM i functions, making it the standard choice for Java developers building enterprise integrations with IBM i back-end systems.

The library includes a JDBC driver for DB2 for i that allows standard Java database access via SQL, as well as non-standard IBM i-specific classes for working with data areas, spooled files, subsystems, and user profiles. It is widely used in banking, manufacturing, and government sectors where IBM i remains a critical production platform.

Key Features

• JDBC driver for DB2 for i – Standard SQL access to IBM i databases from any Java application or framework.
• Program call support – Call RPG, COBOL, and CL programs on IBM i directly from Java with parameter marshaling.
• Command execution – Run IBM i CL commands remotely from Java and retrieve completion status and messages.
• Data queues – Read and write IBM i data queues for asynchronous inter-process communication.
• Integrated file system (IFS) access – Read, write, and manage files in the IBM i integrated file system from Java.
• Spooled file management – Access and manage IBM i print spooler output (spooled files) programmatically.
• Open-source Apache License – Freely usable and modifiable; actively maintained by the community on GitHub.

How to Install

1. Download the JTOpen JAR file (jt400.jar) from the link below or via Maven: com.ibm.iseries:jt400.
2. Add jt400.jar to your Java project’s classpath or declare the Maven/Gradle dependency in your build file.
3. For JDBC access, register the driver: Class.forName("com.ibm.as400.access.AS400JDBCDriver");
4. Connect to your IBM i system: Connection conn = DriverManager.getConnection("jdbc:as400://your-ibmi-host/YOURLIB", "user", "pass");
5. For non-JDBC access, instantiate an AS400 object: AS400 system = new AS400("hostname", "user", "password"); and use it with any Toolbox class.