How to run a NodeJs in QShell background in iSeries

To start a Node.js program in Qshell on IBM i (AS400) as a background service, you can follow these steps:

Create a Shell Script:

Write a shell script that includes the command to start your Node.js program. For example, create a file named start_node.sh with the following content:

#!/QOpenSys/pkgs/bin/bash

cd /path/to/your/node/app
/QOpenSys/pkgs/bin/node your_node_script.js > /path/to/logs/node.log 2>&1 &        

Replace /path/to/your/node/app with the actual path to your Node.js application and your_node_script.js with the entry script of your Node.js application.

Make the Script Executable:

Run the following command to make your script executable:

chmod +x start_node.sh        

Run the Script:

Execute the script to start your Node.js program in the background:

./start_node.sh        

This script changes to the directory of your Node.js application, starts the Node.js script, and redirects output to a log file (node.log). The 2>&1 ensures that both standard output and error are redirected to the log file.

Verify Running Process:

You can use the ps command to verify that your Node.js process is running in the background:

ps -ef | grep node        

Look for the entry related to your Node.js script.

Note: Ensure that the necessary Node.js and npm packages are installed on your IBM iSeries. Adjust paths and filenames according to your environment. It's also advisable to use absolute paths to avoid any issues with the working directory when the script is run in the background.

Keep in mind that the exact paths and commands may vary based on your specific IBM i environment and setup.