Evaluate

Evaluate

Weigh the pros and cons of technologies, products and projects you are considering.

• V6R1 upgrade planning checklist

  When upgrading to V6R1, make sure your software will be supported, your programs will function and the correct PTFs have been installed. Continue Reading

• Analyze the health of your IBM i server with iScore

  While more comprehensive services exist, iScore from Vision Solutions offers a free and general introductory analysis of your system's health. Continue Reading

• Researching high availability for your System i shop

  Interested in a high availability solution for the AS/400? Before you delve into implementation, do your due diligence and ensure that your environment has the proper policies, resources and protocols in place. Continue Reading

• Putting data from IBM i on Amazon S3 using i2S3

  Kisco Systems i2S3 allows transfer of data from the AS/400 to Amazon S3 storage in the cloud. With familiar CL commands, the product is easy to use, and can fill storage needs. The danger is the security of S3 cloud storage, with no guarantee from ... Continue Reading

• SQL server error message -321

  To solve the SQL error -321 on IBM i6.1, use the new values statement to overcome the error. If you are using an older release, declare a cursor using dynamic SQL. Continue Reading

• Choose which column names are returned via ODBC when working with DB2 files

  When working with DB2 files with columns that have both short and long names, there is no option choose which column names are returned via ODBC because SQL-based interfaces use the long column name by default.Continue Reading

• Developing tables in a parent-child relationship in DB2

  When developing tables in a parent-child relationship, use a primary key and a foreign key along with a unique ID to make your database easier to maintain over time.Continue Reading

• When is the YES option for 'reuse deleted files' function the best choice?

  IBM did not change the default of the reuse deleted files function to YES for physical files in order to minimize the impact on any existing applications that may have dependencies on deleted records that are not being used. However, there there are...Continue Reading

• Monitoring members 'stuck' within a physical file on an EDI system

  To monitor members stuck within a physical file on AS/400, you can periodically use the display file description (DSPFD) command to create an output file that can be analyzed, or occasionally run queries against the SYSPARTITIONSTAT catalog view in ...Continue Reading

• Creating a host variable of the 'where in' statement in SQL

  Create a host variable of the where in statement on the fly with dynamic SQL.Continue Reading

• Access path and an open data path differences

  On AS/400 DB2 an access path describes the order in which the rows are retrieved from a database file. The open data path (ODP) is the path through which all input and output operations are performed on a database file. As data is retrieved from or...Continue Reading

• EGL Rich UI on IBM i: Do you Dojo?

  Taking advantage of the Rich UI features of EGL architecture on the AS/400 can save you time and complexity. Rich internet applications can be difficult to write, even with Java and Webspher. EGL eliminates the need for programmers to learn ...Continue Reading

• Database performance comparisons on IBM i

  Testing performance of RLA in the IBM Java Toolbox against JDBC and native I/O for the AS/400 revealed that RPG on System i is the most efficient language, and DB2 is taken for granted. Joe Pluta built some benchmarks to compare different aspects of...Continue Reading

• Implement variables in SQL when creating an alias

  Use dynamic SQL to implement variables at runtime in order to build the CREATE ALIAS statement, or embed the PREPARE and EXECUTE statements in a high-level language.Continue Reading

• Simplify the process of converting a spool file from iSeries into an Excel spreadsheet

  To simplify and accelerate the process of converting a spool file from iSeries into an Excel spreadsheet, eliminate the creation of the spool file and instead create a CVS text file, which can easily be loaded into Excel.Continue Reading

• Control and fix date format problems on AS/400 SQL

  To avoid date format problems on the DB2 for iSQL interface, specify a date format that supports a four-digit year value with the DATFMT parameter in the SQL precompiled commands.Continue Reading

• Disable SQL query optimizer tool that removes trailing blanks

  When working with the length function used in a WHERE or ORDER BY clause, disable the DB2 SQL query optimizer from removing trailing blanks by changing the variable length optimization settings.Continue Reading

• A solution to write data to QDLS in Excel format

  Use the CPYTOIMPF command to convert data to Excel format in QDLS file system.Continue Reading

• Timestamp not in valid format using CPYFRMIMPF

  A timestamp error is caused by either not specifying the proper string delimiter on the CPYFRMIMPF command or not formatting the quote properly.Continue Reading

• Uniquely matching two fields in an SQL table to fields in a different table

  Use an UPDATE statement in SQL to match fields in one SQL table on AS/400 to fields in another SQL table.Continue Reading

• Database drivers on the i: MySQL vs. IBM Toolbox

  Which reads data from i faster: MySQL or IBM Toolbox drivers? Joe Pluta put the drivers to the test in both an AS/400 and a Windows environment. The conclusion: MySQL over its own database performs roughly as well as IBM's Java Toolbox over DB2 data...Continue Reading

• IBM DB2 Connect allows SQL data sharing

  To union or join tables residing on different IBM i servers using SQL, IBM's DB2 Connect is needed.Continue Reading

• How database views get deleted from AS/400 libraries

  Audit journals on the AS/400 can help track down file deletions from Libraries on the system, including view files for databases.Continue Reading

• Size limit of DB2 table in V6R1 on IBM i

  The upper limit of a DB2 table on V6R1 remains unchanged from V5R4 at 1.7 TB. However, SQL can be used to create larger partitioned tables with IBM's DB2 Multisystem product. Each partition in this arrangement can store 1.7 TB.Continue Reading

• RPG fetch statement coding to dynamically call unknown fields and data types

  On the AS/400 in DB2 it may be necessary to make a RPG program that calls select statements with unknown data and fields. SQL Descriptor Area processing or SQL CLI can provide a solution to programmers in need.Continue Reading

• i5/OS

  i5/OS is the name IBM has given to its newest release of OS/400 V5R3. i5/OS runs on IBM's i5 servers, which are based on IBM's Power5 microprocessors.Continue Reading

• Auditing: RPG with embedded SQL showing up as a changed object

  DB2 stores access plans inside the SQLRPG program object for each SQL statement embedded within the program. When DB2 updates these access plans because of a system environment change, the change date of the program object will be updated at the ...Continue Reading

• DB2 on AS/400: What has it done for me lately?

  AS/400 has the full functionality of DB2 built in, giving it an advantage over other platforms. DB2 supports referential integrity, triggers, journaling and extensive error handling. A brief history of the database is provided.Continue Reading

• What is an integrated database?

  The integrated database feature on the AS/400 is often taken for granted. Comparisons of the IBM DB2 against SQL for performance, cost, and support are provided. The results may surprise you.Continue Reading

• Detecting system changes made by outside IP address

  If you suspect that changes are being made by an external source, you can use an exit point program to monitor the activity and trace the IP address.Continue Reading

• AS/400 system values quiz

  Think you know your AS/400 system values? Put your knowledge to the test!Continue Reading

• Querying system catalog tables to determine table alias

  In order to determine the alias of a table in DB2 on i, you can query the system catalog tables. AS/400 expert Kent Milligan shares how.Continue Reading

• How to use the QQQVEXPL API

  The QQQEXL API does not need to be coded to on AS/400 DB2, instead you may use a Visual Explain tool which transparently uses the API to analyze the access plans for SQL statements and query requests.Continue Reading

• Retrieving data from AS/400 into Crystal Reports

  Crystal Reports does not have direct access to data in AS/400, therefore an external stored procedure or an external user-defined function is necessary.Continue Reading

• Drive space management commands

  Helpful commands to manage drive space and view disk status.Continue Reading

• Alternatives to ODBC

  If ODBC seems to be slow, it may be because of the SQL server. But alternatives exist, such as the ado.netContinue Reading

• Tracking row changes in DB2 tables

  ISeries database expert Kent Milligan discusses how to track changes made to DB2 tables.Continue Reading

• Database pooling on iSeries

  Learn why database pooling on iSeries causes jobs on server to remain active.Continue Reading

• Vision board member guarantees high-availability satisfaction

  System i high-availability (HA) software vendor Vision Solutions recently added former Procter & Gamble and Microsoft technologist Bob Herbold to its board of directors. We talked with Herbold about his role at Vision, the importance of HA software,...Continue Reading

• Viewing netstat information

  Though the netstat command line tool is no substitute for full-blown systems monitoring software, it provides good, quick network information on demand.Continue Reading

• Lazy coder: What does PHP on the i5 mean?

  PHP, MySQL and other Web-based System i developer tools have made headlines in recent months. But what are they, and what do they do? ISeries programming expert Andrew Borts gives the rundown on these tools that are changing how System i is used.Continue Reading

• IBM System i APIs at Work, Second Edition -- Chapter 10

  Application programming interfaces (APIs) can add value to your business if they're properly implemented. Check out the free chapter "IBM System i APIs at work" download courtesy of MC Press and Search400.com for valuable information on API ...Continue Reading

• Joining views to extract available information

  Expert Shahar Mor explains how to use inner join to extract available information in a table.Continue Reading

• DB2 Connect help

  ISeries database expert Kent Milligan explains why a user receives an error message while trying to pass data from a Unix server with OS/400 V5R2.Continue Reading

• Optimizing disk occupation

  Iseries database expert Kent Milligan explains how to optimize disk occupation with the Reuse Deleted Records option.Continue Reading

• AS/400 SQL transaction file help

  Iseries database expert Kent Milligan offers an index for an efficient way of selecting the last transactions in a transaction file.Continue Reading

• Working with nulls in RPGLE

  ISeries expert Kent Milligan offers help for working with nulls in RPGLE.Continue Reading

• Get descriptive headers in Excel tables when transferring data

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• Importing iSeries data directly into an Excel spreadsheet

  Kent Milligan, DB2 UDB expert helps a Search400.com member t import iSeries data directly into an Excel spreadsheet .Continue Reading

• Checking database cross-reference files

  There is a simple way to check if your cross-reference files are in error, or if your system objects are in error -- without waiting for crash. Type GO LICPGM, and then option 5 and select verify system objects. If everything is OK, you should ...Continue Reading

• System i virtualization prevents T-Mobile busy signal

  T-Mobile has plans to double its U.K. stores and uses IBM System i virtualization software to prevent its backup jobs from backing up.Continue Reading

• iTera, Vision look at future of high availability

  Earlier this month, Vision Solutions and iTera, two of System i's biggest high-availability vendors, announced that they would be merging. The combined company will have 3,000 customers and about 13,000 implementations of one of their ...Continue Reading

• VoIP for iSeries now available

  IBM is now offering VoIP software from 3Com on its System i serversContinue Reading

• Oracle to enhance Fusion with Sunopsis buy

  Oracle has announced the purchase of yet another software company -- data integration vendor Sunopsis.Continue Reading

• Company ditches J.D. Edwards in-house support for third party

  Seeking budget cuts, Koontz-Wagner chose TomorrowNow as a third-party support vendor on its J.D. Edwards software running on its iSeries, saving more than 50% off in-house support and getting better service in the process.Continue Reading

• iSeries (AS/400) DB2 UDB: Top 10 expert questions

  Kent Milligan, iSeries/i5 DB2 UDB expert, has been answering Search400.com's member questions for more than five years. iSeries users have asked Kent the same questions again and again. In an effort to save you time, we've compiled the top 10 ...Continue Reading

• Oracle goes back to school with PeopleSoft Enterprise Performance Management 9

  Oracle says it's getting vertical and bolstering compliance capabilities with the newest addition to the PeopleSoft Enterprise 9 suite.Continue Reading

• SOA governance gets high rating from Dun & Bradstreet

  Business information company finds hidden dividends in using a design-time metadata registry/repository to inventory and govern artifacts.Continue Reading

• Just how invincible is the iSeries (AS/400)?

  Over the years we've all heard stories of the iSeries (AS/400) being nearly indestructible. It may have been thrown from a moving vehicle, caught in a fire, sealed in a wall or immersed in water and still came out smelling like an iSeries. Our ...Continue Reading

• Seafood company dumps HP3000 for iSeries

  Trident Seafoods has moved to an iSeries shop after looking to expand its operations and keep better track of where the fish it's caught have come from, and where they're going.Continue Reading

• System i revenues slide

  For the third consecutive quarter, iSeries sales have dropped. The disappointing numbers followed three consecutive quarterly increases, when IBM pushed the System i platform hard and got results in return.Continue Reading

• DB2 Viper to boost XML capabilities

  Analysts say the big plus for the System i in IBM's DB2 Viper release, is its ability to leverage XML for service-oriented architecturesContinue Reading

• Compiler directives -- reap the benefits

  Paul Tuohey shares the way he uses compiler directives in his programs.Continue Reading

• IBM Rational debuts 12 new SOA tools

  IBM Rational Software Development Conference opens today with the unveiling of tools designed to help architects and developers working on SOA projects.Continue Reading

• iSeries freeware/shareware library

  Check out our iSeries freeware and shareware library for a comprehensive listing of i5/iSeries downloads, code samples and useful tools that can be used as is or customized to fit your needs. You'll find freeware and shareware from IBM, Search400 ...Continue Reading

• Simplifying environment variables

  Environment variable API's can be encapsulated and simplified for use.Continue Reading

• Dispenser supplier sticks with System i

  Following a catastrophic power failure and months of wrangling with high availability software, AptarGroup twice has had the opportunity to jump ship from the System i, but stayed.Continue Reading

• Check active Job

  Wondering how to check to see if a Job is active? This utility program checks to see if a Job is active and returns 'y/n' flag.Continue Reading

• Sys req command line

  To get a command line using Sys Req you first need to WRKMSGD CPX2313, Option 2 to change the second word DSPJOB to WRKJOB. When you use Sys Req Option 3 you get a command line, as well as the job menu.Continue Reading

• Use the RTVSBSSTS command to retrieve the subsystem status

  Use the RTVSBSSTS command to retrieve the subsystem statusContinue Reading

• Know-IT-All Chapter Quiz: Project initiation

  Test your knowledge after you've read chapter 3 "Project initiation."Continue Reading

• Retrieve SQL (RTVSQL) source statement

  Search400.com member Jean-Paul Lamontre discusses the SQL Visual Explain tool, which comes with iSeries Navigator. Jean-Paul finds this tool very handy to improve the performance of SQL statements. In this tip he shares why he feels it would be ...Continue Reading

• What is a Decimal Data Error?

  One Search400.com member writes, "Can you please tell me what a Decimal Data error is, and what is the scenario in which it is received?" Search400.com's application development expert John Blenkinsop explains.Continue Reading

• Who signed on to the production system?

  One Search400.com member writes, "I want to know who signs on to our production system during non-supported hours and report on this (for SOX reasons).Simply manually scanning through the History log is not enough any longer. How can I automate this...Continue Reading

• Know-IT-All Chapter Quiz: The Programmer's Guide to iSeries Navigator

  Think you know all there is about simple database features? We challenge you to test your skills by taking our latest quiz. Share the results with us and get a chance to win a copy of "The Programmer's Guide to iSeries Navigator" written by Paul ...Continue Reading

• Import a text file

  One user writes, " I need to 'import' a text file located in the user computer to a DB2 table in the database. What's the best way to do this?" DB2 expert Kent Milligan offers some advice.Continue Reading

• Accessing reorg time

  One Search400.com member writes, "We have sales order file that is about 27 GB in size and contains 27 million records. The file has approximately 12 million deleted records. Is it possible to reorg that file dynamically? How can I assess the time ...Continue Reading

• DB2 crossword challenge

  Are you a DB2 dynamo? Take our DB2 crossword challenge and find out!Continue Reading

• Seven ways autonomics can deliver a healthy, efficient high availability environment -- with less ma

  If you think fully autonomic tools are the things of science fiction, then think again. High availability solutions for the iSeries now include self-healing, self-auditing, and self-learning features. Peter Sa from Lakeview Technology outlines seven...Continue Reading

• SQL Encrypt scalar function

  One Search400.com member writes, " I just read "Column Encryption in IBM DB2 UDB for iSeries. What is the encryption algorithm used?" DB2 UDB expert Kent Milligan explains.Continue Reading

• Free programming tools on the Web

  Need a little help with that project you're working on? Fortunately, we live in a world where hundreds of programmers give their time -- and their programs -- so you don't have to pull your hair out. Here's a look at some of the tools Andrew Borts ...Continue Reading

• Doing an RDB call from an i270 to a s390

  I am trying to do an RDB call from an i270 to an s390, but I keep getting an error on CCSID. I have tried to make the 270 use 1208, which is what is used for QMF transfers. Do you know which CCSID would work?Continue Reading

• How indexes help the query optimizer with statistics

  Using the SQL performance monitor of operation navigator, I have scanned for the recommended index. In the index list, one was on QSYS2/SYSTABLES view on the QSYS/QADBXREF table. I have created the recommended index, but unfortunately it looks like ...Continue Reading

• Access data in SQL Server from the iSeries

  IBM's Kent Milligan shows you how to access data in Microsoft SQL Server from an iSeries program.Continue Reading

• Embed a dynamic IM clause in a COBOL program

  Is there a way to have a dynamic IN clause embedded in a COBOL program?Continue Reading

• Running multiple SQL commands within a CL/QMQRY

  Running multiple SQL commands within a CL/QMQRY does not recognize the semicolon (;) separator. Is there a PTF that is required?Continue Reading

• SQL database definition and access methods

  We are developing an application on iSeries DB2 using RPG and Java. I am concerned about how we should create the database file (using DDS, SQLRPG, SQL or any other approach) so that it can be used using SQL, a Java program or an RPG program, all ...Continue Reading

• Display SAVF PTF status

  This program displays SAVF and their respective PTF status; function to delete SAVF that have been applied/superseded.Continue Reading

• COMMON: Products ease iSeries development, administration

  The expo at the Fall COMMON User Conference was buzzing with the latest product news from RJS Software, BOSaNOVA, Lakeview and Aldon.Continue Reading

• How to find out if there is a binding directory available

  One user writes, "Our company has many ILE programs that may or may not be created by using a binding directory. When I have changed a module within a program, how can I find out if there is a binding directory available to rebind (CRTPGM) for this ...Continue Reading

• Invoking a stored procedure from a COBOL program

  One user writes, "I am attempting to invoke a stored procedure (SQL) from a COBOL program. The stored procedure returns ONE result set, so the last (meaningful) statement in the stored procedure is OPEN cursor name. Once I issue the CALL in the ...Continue Reading

• Improving embedded SQL performance

  This Search400.com memer wonders if a licensed program will improve performance for embedded SQL. DB2 expert Kent Milligan offers some advice.Continue Reading

• Error with MYLIB function

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• Read records on a subfile

  One user writes, "How can I read all records on a subfile? Using READC opcode, one can read only the changed records. I have been working with the SFLNXTCHG keyword but without success. A simple example illustrating the subfile DDS, as well as the ...Continue Reading

• Green screens taken over by .NET

  iSeries software vendor ASNA recently updated its Monarch software, which migrates green-screen applications onto Microsoft .NET.Continue Reading

• midrange

  In general, midrange refers to computers that are more powerful and capable than personal computers but less powerful and capable than mainframe computers.Continue Reading

• SQL view that SELECTS on functions

  This user was having an issue with his SQL view on his iSeries that SELECTS on a few functions. Db2 Expert Kent Milligan explained what was going on.Continue Reading

• Scheduling a SQL update statement

  One user writes, "I need to run a SQL Update statement after hours, and it would be nice to schedule it. I saw your posting about the RUNSQLSTM command, but I've had no success with it. I tried saving my command in the STRSQL run, which it saved to ...Continue Reading

• Error message of null values

  One user wrties, "In V5R3 I got the error message of null values not allowed in column or variable ZORD#T for SQL update." DB2 expert Kent Milligan offers some advice.Continue Reading

• Recommended index not used

  One user writes, "Using SQL performance monitor of Operation Navigator, an index was recommended. I created the recommended index, but it looks like the system doesn't use it. I find it strange that the index is recommended and then not used. Is ...Continue Reading