IBM Navigator for i versus the character-based interface for journaling objects

There are two environments that you can use for journal management: IBM® Navigator for i and the character-based interface. Navigator for i provides a graphical interface for journaling that is easy to use and does not require the use of control language (CL) commands. The character-based interface requires the use of CL commands or APIs, but has more functionality than Navigator for i. Some of this function is also available through the System i® Navigator.

Here is a list of journaling functions that are only available with the character-based interface:

• Journal access paths.
• Compare journal entries.
• Apply journaled changes.
• Remove journaled changes.
• Display journal entries.

One other difference between Navigator for i and the character-based interface is that with Navigator for i, you create the journal and journal receiver together. With the character-based interface, you create the journal receiver first.

Decide which of the two interfaces to use before you set up journal management, since the character-based interface creates journal receivers and journals separately, and Navigator for i creates journals and receivers together. However, if you decide to use a function that Navigator for i does not support after you start journaling, you can do so with the character-based interface, even if you used Navigator for i to set up journaling.