Tips

Tips

• 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

• 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

• System values on i: Setting them up and locking i down

  AS/400 system values define global, system-wide settings on your platform. Many of these pertain to system security implementation. Take a look at these settings and learn how to lock them down. Many system values are security-related and the ...  Continue Reading

• Using SQL on System i to create multicolored comment lines

  When using SQL to color source code on the AS/400, it is also possible to create multicolored comment lines. This System i tip provides the queries to do so.  Continue Reading

• A guide to System i security, Part 3: Digging in to the System i security environment

  The AS/400 provides many built-in tools to manage the security environment. Find out how to tighten up your System i, and ensure your system is protected from unwanted intrusion. A very important aspect is password settings, which can be the ...  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

• Linux for IBM i: Introducing Linux to IBM i people

  Linux on i is a cheap, easy and very powerful operating system. This introduction to Linux for the AS/400 walks you through some history and resources including where to get Linux. The advantages of the OS are described, along with a brief ...  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

• Is your AS/400 secure?: How a hacker could get valuable information from your system

  Many AS/400 shops fail to consider the risk of users accessing the platform via desktop application rather than green-screen applications. Shahar Mor explains how AS/400 can be compromised using standard desktop tools. Through a ficticious scenario ...  Continue Reading

• System i security report roundup

  The AS/400 System Security Attributes report is useful to review all of the system values and network attributes to make sure that they are still set to the value that you expect based on your security policy. Then, for good measure, see how your ...  Continue Reading

• A guide to System i security, part 2: Landing and establishing access

  Once you've developed a security policy for your System i environment, you need to define who will access it and how they will get to their data. The locks on the door include passwords, object security and group settings. Once those are set, it is ...  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