Tips

Tips

iSeries application development

• A power-handling CL program for multiple IBM i servers

  Rather than connecting your AS/400's to their own separate UPSs, find out how one UPS, one cable and a CL program can manage all your power-handling needs.  Continue Reading

• Enhancing RPG with external SQL stored procedures

  Registering an external SQL stored procedure and leveraging RPG with your creation allows for increased flexibility in dealing with numerous types of data.  Continue Reading

• Tracking data changes on IBM i with triggers

  Triggers can be implemented on the AS/400 using a high-level language or SQL and can be used to enforce business rules or validating input data. Learn how to use DB2 triggers as a means of auditing data inserts, deletes or changes.  Continue Reading

• Introduction to SQLRPGLE on IBM i: Making a report

  Using RPG ILE with embedded SQL can be a fast way to make database reports on the IBM i. Joe Pluta shares the code of his first SQLRPGLE program.  Continue Reading

• Implementing a browser interface in COBOL: Displaying database fields

  Learn how to display a file list from your AS/400 database on a Web page using COBOL, CL and HTML. Get code samples and see how you can use DSPOBJD to create a FILELIST that will display on the Web page.  Continue Reading

• Taking advantage of CL advancements, starting with V5R3

  Using the new CL programming tools released in V5R3 on the IBM System i has advantages: New looping methods, subroutines, and multiple file declarations. See examples of old versus new programs that ease and shorten programming commands.  Continue Reading

• Implementing a browser interface in COBOL: Creating your graphic Web page

  Learn how to use the CGI API, Write Standard Output (QtmhWrStout) to make a visual browser interface in segments, and use the COBOL STRING command to develop the segments. Then see how the Out-Data field is filled in, and how a PERFORM of the ...  Continue Reading

• Implementing a browser interface in COBOL: Getting started

  Learn how to get started on developing a Web interface from the AS/400 in COBOL starting with a logon page. Includes code samples for CGI APIs and library and DDS instructions.  Continue Reading

• Making the most of RPG data handling on IBM i

  By virtue of being bult-in to the AS/400, RPG has speed for some operations that SQL cannot touch. Learn how RPG works with indexing to retrieve data from your IBM i.  Continue Reading

• Checking in on your IBM i authorization lists

  Have you ever created an object on the AS/400 without making sure the necessary authorization list is attached? By using some common commands, you can secure your IBM i, and audit objects and fix mistakes. The necessary commands include DSPAUTLOBJ ...  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

• 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

• Documenting nested program structures on the AS/400

  Documenting nested program structures on AS/400 is a complex task and is sometimes overlooked or not updated. The XPGMSTR command automates documentation in a structured and reliable way, eliminating the human-error (or lazyness) involved in the ...  Continue Reading

• An automated CL method of moving a query from AS/400 to Excel

  If a daily task of your AS/400 is to print a report from a query a CL program can be written to automate the task and make it easy to open the results in Excel. This CL program copies an existing query to QTEMP and runs the query. Then it converts ...  Continue Reading

• Eight steps for creating program documentation using AS/400 utilities

  To make a programmer's work easy and efficient, program documentation should be completed up front. This tip presents eight strategic steps for AS/400 documentation, with helpful screenshots.  Continue Reading

• DAYSPAST CLLE program for AS/400: Compares object creation date with today's date

  A CLLE program for AS/400 to determine the number of days that have passed since an object was created.  Continue Reading

• Coloring source lines with COBOL and using a shortcut from within PDM

  Search400.com reader Yoni Tehan was inspired by our tip Using SQL on System i to color source code and inline comments and translated the SQL to COBOL+CL to share with fellow AS/400 users.  Continue Reading

• Date calculation commands for AS/400

  If you need to periodically calculate dates on your AS/400 relative to a given date to determine reporting limits such as month end, month begin, this tip contains a helpful service program.  Continue Reading

• Application modernization in the i world

  Modernizing one of the most efficient interfaces ever designed may be a bit tricky. On the AS/400, application modernization means making the best use out of your existing application programs and especially your application programmers. Joe Pluta ...  Continue Reading

• There is very little RPG on System i can't do: From RPG nay to RPG yay!

  Some are skeptical of RPG on System i's ability to do much outside of a green screen. But RPG believer Aaron Bartell shares how to create graphical pie, bar and line charts with RPG and a bit of Java, along with some free code sets. He describes the...  Continue Reading

• System i Web app dev for free

  One System i user responds to IBM's shrinking sales on the platform and points to a free application development tools-type of model that could help System i boost sales.  Continue Reading

• iSeries Access for Web tutorial: system requirements

  In part 1 of this four-part tutorial, System i programming expert Andrew Borts explains the system requirements for installing iSeries Access for Web.  Continue Reading

• iSeries Access for Web tutorial: Creating the HTTP server

  In part 2 of this four-part tutorial on setting up iSeries Access for Web, System i programming expert Andrew Borts explains how to create the HTTP server.  Continue Reading

• iSeries Access for Web tutorial

  In this four-part tutorial on setting up iSeries Access for Web, System i programming expert Andrew Borts details the entire process from system requirements to server configuration.  Continue Reading

• iSeries Access for Web tutorial: Configuring iSeries Access for Web

  In the final part of our four-part series, iSeries programming expert Andrew Borts explains how to contigure iSeries Access for Web.  Continue Reading

• Managing ASF Tomcat settings

  In part 3 of this four-part series, iSeries programming expert Andrew Borts explains how to manage ASF Tomcat settings when setting up iSeries Access for Web.  Continue Reading

• RPG dynamic value calculation versus hard-coded values

  iSeries RPG expert Kevin Ketlzer illustrates dynamic value calculation in this example on programming on the iSeries.  Continue Reading

• System i date conversions in RPG

  Date conversion in RPG is something that we do without too much hassle. Years ago, we'd use wacky calculations, which are now deemed harmful to proper processing. The old multiply by 100.0001 is a bad way to go. System i programming expert Andrew ...  Continue Reading

• String functions help in cross-language development

  Ron Turull, editor of Inside Version 5, explains how character strings can enhance your cross-language development. Ron covers null-terminated strings, C functions, the %STR RPG built-in function and much more.  Continue Reading

• Embracing RPG IV

  RPG IV is much more then just an extension of RPG III. Enhancements in the language provide new ways of doing things, which, in turn, necessitate a change in day-to-day coding practices.  Continue Reading

• Java for RPG Programmers, Third Edition -- Chapter 10

  This chapter, "Exceptions," will help you to understand the various roles of Java in today's applications, learn the core Java language, discover how to use the Java Development Kit (JDK) and much more.  Continue Reading

• Introduction to multi-threaded programming -- part 2

  Multi-threaded programming was introduced on the AS/400-iSeries back in V4R2, but was limited to C and Java programs. Multithreaded programming took a big step up with the release of V4R4 when multithreaded support was added to the RPG and COBOL ...  Continue Reading

• Introduction to multi-threaded programming -- part 1

  Multi-threaded programming was introduced on the AS/400-iSeries back in V4R2, but was limited to C and Java programs. Multithreaded programming took a big step up with the release of V4R4 when multithreaded support was added to the RPG and COBOL ...  Continue Reading

• RPG SELEC statements: Improve the performance

  According to systems management expert Ron Turrull, the performance of your RPG programs may be suffering if you use the SELEC statement. Ron says that the SELEC op-code is a great, recently added feature in RPG used to create multi-conditioned, ...  Continue Reading

• Free form RPG: Are you /FREE?

  System i (AS/400) programming expert Paul Tuohy attended a recent Common User Discussion Social (CUDS) recently where the conversation centred on free form RPG. Paul shares some of the points discussed, highlighting the highs and lows of using free...  Continue Reading

• Program change control

  In the earlier days, change control implementation was pretty straight forward. If you had an assignment to work on a program, your boss handed you the source code, which was a deck of punched cards along with the latest compile listing, and the ...  Continue Reading

• Qualified data structures: Why you should be using them

  Application development expert Paul Tuohy has been receiving quite a few questions about qualified data structures and whether or not they are of much use. According to Paul, they are and you should be using them.  Continue Reading

• The Modern RPG IV Language, Fourth Edition -- Chapter 13

  "Web Programming Interfaces" covers all the new functions and facilities available in V5R4 RPG IVcovers all the new functions and facilities available in V5R4 RPG IV.  Continue Reading

• Dynamic memory in V5: Harness the power -- part 1

  Report Program Generator (RPG) programmers have been able to use dynamic memory (or "heap storage" as IBM likes to call it) for a number of years now, but not until V5 hit the streets had it been fully implemented. With RPG's dynamic memory built-in...  Continue Reading

• Simplifying data access using Java Standard Tag Library

  Learn how to quickly build a simple JSP to search an employee table using SQL to demonstrate how easily JSTL accesses data.  Continue Reading

• A simpler way to name RPG indicators

  Here's a simpler way to name RPG indicators.  Continue Reading

• Simplifying environment variables

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

• Indicators: Two ways to name them

  Naming your numeric indicators used in screen displays or printer files is an effective way to make your programs more readable and understandable, but did you know there are two ways it can be done? The first method is associating a data structure...  Continue Reading

• Make the most of arrays

  In this tip Paul Tuohy examines some of the features of defining and using arrays in RPG IV.  Continue Reading

• Using System Request to execute a command

  If your workstation is running some batch job and you don't have any other display session to execute command, you can use the "send a message option" from the system request menu to execute the command.  Continue Reading

• How to load compile time arrays in D-specs

  Compiled time arrays, both numeric and character, can be loaded in the D-specs. Using data structures and the overlay keyword allows the array to be both specified and loaded  Continue Reading

• Who is using the Document Library Objects?

  Sometimes when you are trying to access an IFS object you might get the message indicating the object is in use. There is no such command in iSeries to check the lock on the object. Using command WRKDLOLCK you can check if there is a lock on the ...  Continue Reading

• CGIDEV2: Building native iSeries Web pages

  IBM's CGIDEV2 Web toolkit offers a high quality, low cost alternative that requires a set of skills that closely match those commonly found in most iSeries development shops.  Continue Reading

• Coming to terms with call back

  Paul Touhy explains the concept of call back and gives you a practical example of using a call back along with a couple of procedures that might be of use when displaying lists of information on a Web page using CGIDEV2. Paul explains that call ...  Continue Reading

• How to compare spooled files

  Search400.com member Phillip Smith provides his methond to compare spooled files  Continue Reading

• The Programmer's Guide to iSeries Navigator -- Chapter 4

  Enjoy a complimentary copy of Chapter 4 of "The Programmer's Guide to iSeries Navigator" written by Paul Touhy and published by MC Press.  Continue Reading

• Quick command line access

  Here's a way to get command line access from whatever screen you happen to be on.  Continue Reading

• How to use the binder language to manage service programs -- Part 3: Examples and pitfalls

  In Part 1, Ron Turull discussed service program signatures and defined the differences between current and previous signature levels. In Part 2, he discussed the very simple binder language and how you use it to create service program signatures. In...  Continue Reading

• VARPG -- Reprocess changed records

  Scenario: You're validating data in changed records of a subfile, but you need to keep those records in a changed status to be processed by a future readc operation.  Continue Reading

• Useful date expressions in V5R3/Free RPG

  These are some useful expressions for working with dates in V5R3/Free RPG. They could be used directly in code, or encapsulated within functions.  Continue Reading

• How to use the binder language to manage service programs -- Part 2: Understanding the binder langua

  In his previous tip Ron Turull discussed service program signatures and defined the differences between current and previous signature levels. In this installment, he discusses the simple binder language and how you use it to create service program ...  Continue Reading

• How to define a sequence number column to a table

  Learn how to define a sequence number column to a table that gets populated by the system every time a record is added to that table.  Continue Reading

• How to use the binder language to manage service programs -- Part 1: Service program signatures

  Learning to use the ILE binder language is essential to managing all but the simplest service programs on your iSeries. Before you can do that, however, you should understand the role of service program signatures. Ron Turull explains how you can ...  Continue Reading

• Display attributes made simple

  What do you do when a legacy application you're maintaining is out of indicators and you want to control the display attributes? Steve Croy has the solution -- a very simple service program -- right here. He has created a prototyped procedure that ...  Continue Reading

• Debugging: DBU and journals

  Search400.com member Lynn Roggentien writs, "I view a lot of journal records via DBU. I use this for debugging. I found it cumbersome to use F16=Search. I would much rather use SQL or Query to wade through all those records." Click over to view ...  Continue Reading

• How to use Java to add e-mail support to your iSeries apps

  Don't buy an e-mail solution for your iSeries. Use Java. Jim Mason says you can add e-mail support to your iSeries applications and business processes easily with Java -- and with very little coding.  Continue Reading

• How to define iSeries commands -- Part IV

  Ron Turull finishes up his series on how to define iSeries commands by looking at key concepts related to command parameters and how to compile command definition source code to create the command.  Continue Reading

• How to define iSeries commands -- Part III

  Ron Turull picks up where he left off in Part II of this series and further explains parameters defined in the command definition source code for the CRTMIPGM command.  Continue Reading

• Ways to put QSHELL to work in your day-to-day programming life

  Jagannath Lenka shows you how QSHELL complements CL and how you can use it in your day-to-day iSeries programming life.  Continue Reading

• Using a collating sequence table to order data

  A collating (sort) sequence table has 256 entries arranged in 8 records, each with 32 2 byte hex values. The logical position in the table represents the values hex values 00-FF. The hex value entered in the logical position determines the ...  Continue Reading

• How to define iSeries commands -- Part II

  You learned the basics of iSeries commands and the command definition language in Part 1 of this series. Now Ron Turull walks you through the command definition source code for the CRTMIPGM command.  Continue Reading

• DDS column headings in CSV

  This is a slight enhancement to Ron Harrison's tip. I added all of the three column headings and the field names. The delimiter is what I use for my regular CPYTOIMPF command.  Continue Reading

• How to define iSeries commands

  Want to do something with your iSeries? You're going to need a command for it. Ron Turull reviews the basics of iSeries commands and the command definition language.  Continue Reading

• Making sense of integer representation in RPG code

  There seems to be an increased use of integer data types in RPG code, as well as in D specs to define work fields. However, Steve Croy points out that not everybody understands the nature of integer data types.  Continue Reading

• CHAIN operation in nutshell

  In RPGLE, if you CHAIN to any file and try to evaluate the values of the file fields in debug (using 'Eval' on command prompt of STRDBG), only the fields that are used in the program will get populated by the CHAIN operation. Either the remaining ...  Continue Reading

• EvalR solves problems with %EditC

  Using %editc to convert a numeric to a string has always resulted in problems. This tip provides a workaround.  Continue Reading

• Solving difficult problems with recursion -- Part II

  In Part I of this series, Ron Turull discussed what recursion is and how it works. Now he looks at how to implement it programmatically.  Continue Reading

• Free-Format RPG IV -- Chapter 3

  This chapter takes a look at the operations, options and built-in functions now available for database I/O, as well as for workstation I/O and printer output.  Continue Reading

• Free-format RPG only half-way free

  Columnist Steve Croy points out that free-format RPG isn't quite as restrictive as fixed-format RPG, but it isn't totally free either. The implementation stops short of making RPG a free-format language in the nature of Java, C or HTML.  Continue Reading

• How to use Java to integrate Excel worksheets

  If you want to integrate Excel with relational data on any platform, Java Database Connectivity support allows you to use simple, dynamic SQL to do this easily.  Continue Reading

• Solving difficult problems with recursion -- Part I

  Recursion is one of the most powerful problem-solving techniques in computer science, and learning to use it will give you a decided edge in boosting your programming skills.  Continue Reading

• Working with function keys

  Instead of using indicators for trapping function keys in RPG, you can use real key equivalents such as F1, F12, F20, etc.  Continue Reading

• Have you got the time?

  Date and time of day functions are convenient have in a service program. There are times, however, when a timestamp can be more convenient  Continue Reading

• Writing to a file from CL -- revisited

  Are you writing from a CL program? This tip writer explains how you can speed up the process.  Continue Reading

• Run SQL with output to an Excel file

  Follow these samples to learn how to run SQL with output to an Excel file.  Continue Reading

• Optimize your programs to increase performance

  If you're not using program optimization, now is the time for administrators to consider it, especially if your system is getting sluggish.  Continue Reading

• Easy column headings for query output files

  When using Query/400 to output a file the column headings can become less than meaningful. Use this technique to update the column headings.  Continue Reading

• Step-by-step power compiler

  This utility finds and adds all the needed libraries for your RPG IV program and compiles it.  Continue Reading

• AFP form design cheats

  Run a small RPG program that draws a grid pattern on a page of transparency.  Continue Reading

• How to get around HTML's restrictions with fixed decimal representations

  HTML input tags do not support fixed decimal representations, so Steve Croy created a mechanism that parses a string and creates a numeric field from the contents of the string.  Continue Reading

• Getting up to speed on ILE commands

  Before you dive into ILE, you need to understand the many ILE-related objects. You also need to understand the many ILE-related commands and how they interrelate.  Continue Reading

• Code examples to determine future end of month based on any given date

  Several users submitted code to help IBLearning determine the future end of month based on any given date. Here are three code examples that they sent in.  Continue Reading

• Understanding ILE objects -- Part II

  Part II of this series looks at ILE objects in detail and discusses the differences between ILE programs and OPM programs.  Continue Reading

• List files with triggers attached

  Know which files on your system have triggers attached by using this simple tip.  Continue Reading

• Understanding ILE objects -- Part I

  With this tip Ron Turull gives you get a basic understanding of the different ILE-related objects and how they interrelate.  Continue Reading

• Embrace the new; don't fight change

  New programming techniques are not just about style, says columnist Daniel Holden. There are real merits to using them.  Continue Reading

• Simplify export query results

  This tip will help simplify export query results.  Continue Reading

• Coding forward, stepping back

  New programming techniques have their advantages, but sometimes older methods better fit the bill.  Continue Reading

• Technical documentation: Pictures worth a thousand words

  Andrew Borts takes a look at how you can use screen shots to improve your technical documentation after you modify a program.  Continue Reading

• The wonders of Display Query (DSPQRY)

  The DSPQRY command displays the queries sorted by descending date/time.  Continue Reading

• Sample code: Accessing MS SQL Server database from the iSeries

  Nowadays with the help of Java the iSeries can be integrated with other databases quite easy. This tip shows you how.  Continue Reading

• Better than QRWOPTIONS

  This program allows you to decide if you want to log, dump, or use a QAQQINI file for a job.  Continue Reading

• Find the programs that use a particular file using DSPPGMREF

  No matter how well you plan the design of a database file, it will eventually need to be changed.  Continue Reading

• Find and Replace in a string

  Learn an easier way to insert the parameters in the submit string.  Continue Reading