Resources

How It Works

In addition to the information below, please see our RTPA Frequently-Asked Questions (FAQ) Sheet and RTPA Factsheet.

RTPA provides an automatic, complete, and permanent record of all executing program statements. This includes all data processed and the moment of time each statement was executed, regardless of the structure of the programs or subprograms.

RTPA is a precompiler that converts a normal source program into an audit-enabled source program which is then compiled normally. The RTPA process is simple:

RTPA analyzes the source code and then creates a new temporary source code file containing both the source code and audit statements.
RTPA compiles the audit-enabled source code with the regular compiler. The resulting object is an audit-enabled object program.
When the audit-enabled program is initiated (interactive or batch), the executable itself produces an audit output file, which is normally referred to as an audit file, or audit.

The audit file can be viewed in real time as the program executes or, as it is a normal spooled file, printed out after execution. It can also be displayed online, making it searchable.

Product Information

RTPA for IBM i

This brochure presents an overview of the features and benefits of RTPA for IBM i and includes a technical supplement using RPG code. The product also includes COBOL, CL, and an RTPA for IBM i Query program.

Click the button to view the brochure of how RTPA works for IBM i.

RTPA for IBM i

Customer Stories

Understand Complex Applications, Fix Bugs, and Test New Code

Customers tell us how RTPA helps reduce system downtime, increase productivity, and increase the satisfaction of their customers.

READ THE STORY of a manufacturing company that used RTPA to understand complex applications without legacy knowledge, test and develop new programs with speed and agility, and find and fix bugs in complex code.

Fix Bugs Fast

Avoided Platform Migration and Saved Effective, Custom-Built Applications

When this manufacturing company tragically lost a key member of staff at the critical time of a new plant opening, RTPA was used by a consultant to quickly understand a 35 years worth of custom code and get the plant running. Instead of implementing an emergency platform change, the company was able to successfully stay on the IBM i platform and keep their competitive edge. RTPA Customer tory – Avoid Platform Change 2019 below.

Avoid Platform Change

Enhance Pre-Packaged Software, Fix Known Errors, Verify Changes

Customers have used RTPA to address and solve many typical issues faced by businesses like yours, for example: the complexities of enhancing pre-packaged software, finding and solving bugs quickly in situations with calls to multiple external programs, verifying changes with speed, and understanding complex code quickly.

READ THE STORYof how an apparel company used RTPA to migrate an existing distribution system into a vendor-supplied package, and solved known errors quickly, and was even able to understand complex calculations by seeing how the program calculated its results.

Identify Known Errors

White Papers

White Paper (Program Auditing and Traceability):

The Power of Traceability

By Paul Harkins

This paper details how RTPA works, and how its ability to record and verify exactly what has happened (or is happening) inside the computer at a particular moment in time can support autonomic computing.

Power of Traceability

White Paper (Program Auditing and Forensic Accounting):

On-Demand Forensic Accounting and Analytics

By Paul Harkins

This white paper explores how RTPA could be used to facilitate and enable forensic accounting practices.

Forensic Accounting & RTPA

Additional Resources

Written Submission (House of Lords Forensic Science Inquiry):

Submission to House of Lords Forensic Science and the Criminal Justice System Inquiry

By Dr. Suzanne Harkins

The Science and Technology Committee of the UK House of Lords conducted an inquiry into the role of Forensic Science in the United Kingdom criminal justice system, including Digital Forensic Science. The full report and recommendations of the Committee was published on 1 May 2019 and can be found here: Forensic Science and the Criminal Justice System: A Blueprint for Change – United Kingdom House of Lords Science and Technology Committee 1 May 2019

Dr. Suzanne Harkins submitted written evidence to the inquiry. Her submission can be found here: Dr. S Harkins – Forensic Science Submission to UK House of Lords Forensic Science Inquiry

Forensic Science Inquiry Submission

Article (Application Development and Productivity):

Triple your Value, Capability, and Productivity Now

By Paul Harkins

In this article Paul Harkins discusses how past innovations have produced radical jumps in productivity, and how innovations in computing today make the corporate adoption of productivity tools a business necessity.

Triple your Value, Capability, and Productivity Now