If you’ve ever stared at a wall of fixed-format RPG code and thought, “This looks like it was written by a medieval monk with a ruler and quill,” then welcome to my world. I’ve spent far too many hours squinting at columns, indicators, and op codes that look like they were designed to test patience

Read More

Welcome to the latest chapter of my IBM i RPGLE Operation Codes Guide. In my ongoing mission to document and clarify the wonderful IBM RPGLE language for new programmers, students and established old-school programmers looking for new styles of code (who says old dogs cant learn new tricks?!) I’m taking the IBM RPG Operation Codes

Read More

I was in a meeting with a client earlier today – they were discussing hardware changes, software version control, promotion flow and how to set TURNOVER ALM up. A mix of folks in attendance; a couple of current IBM-i programmers, some old AS400 techies and a host of vocal application managers, with everyone seemingly confused

Read More

I’ve spent decades wrangling RPG code on AS400, iSERIES and IBM i systems. You know the drill: endless source files, green screens, and that nagging pull to modernize without breaking everything. Very repetetive and prone to broken code because of a finger slip, a mistyped line of code or a fat-finger moment on the keyboard.

Read More

If you are working with stored procedures on your IBM i system, you know they are handy for encapsulating business logic and making your SQL calls more efficient. But what happens when you need to back them up or restore them after a hiccup? Today, I am walking you through the process in a straightforward

Read More

Once upon a time in a land of legacy systems and mystical green screens, brave programmers roamed freely with passwords like “123456” and “PASSWORD1.” But then came the prophecy: “Thou shalt not allow weak credentials to guard thy sacred data.” And thus began the quest to enforce secure IBM i passwords. Or did it? Well…

Read More

IBM i SQL Stored Procedures are the King of the IBM i Database Jungle Welcome to a deep dive into the world of database management! Today, we’re focusing on a powerful tool that can transform how you handle data: stored procedures. Whether you’re working with IBM i, SQL Server, or another database system, stored procedures

Read More

The Hilarious World of IBM i TURNOVER PWM: A Quick Reference for Dinosaur Developers Ah, the IBM i (née AS/400, iSeries, or that big black box in the server room that refuses to die). If you’re like me, a software developer who’s somehow time-traveled from the ’90s, you’ve probably wrestled with change management tools that

Read More

In the ever-evolving world of programming, some languages stand the test of time by blending reliability with innovation. RPGLE (RPG for ILE, or Integrated Language Environment) is one such language, particularly for IBM i developers who have evolved through the older generations of this machine (AS/400 and iSERIES). Originally introduced to modernize the classic RPG,

Read More

Welcome back, fellow *cough* AS400 code wranglers and green-screen survivors! If your IBM i source files are starting to look like that one drawer in your desk where cables go to die, it’s time for a tidy-up. Today, we’re diving into how Visual Studio Code can turn your RPGLE and COBOL chaos into something resembling

Read More

[Upbeat music fades in] [Visual: A clean, professional studio setup with a desk, computer, and a friendly robot graphic popping up on screen] [Nick Litten appears on camera, smiling, with a warm and enthusiastic tone] “Hey everyone, welcome back to another exciting lesson! I’m Nick Litten, your guide to mastering IBM i development, and today

Read More

Your IBM i Power System (not its not an AS400 and no its not an ISERIES don’t trigger me!) is a digital hoarder’s paradise, stuffed with decades of code. Now, an OS upgrade or a PTF (Program Temporary Fix, aka IBM’s version of a software Band-Aid) changes a command’s behavior. Suddenly, you need to recompile

Read More