Today we’re diving into something seriously exciting for anyone working with IBM i or AS/400 systems: IBM’s Project Bob, an AI-driven powerhouse with an incredible ability to analyze and document those ancient, mysterious RPG source codes. You know the ones. Dusty fixed-format RPG III programs from the 90s, packed with logic but completely lacking comments. …

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If you’re deep into IBM i development and programming, you know how crucial it is to have tools that streamline your workflow without sacrificing reliability. Today, let’s dive into TOBi, the open-source build system designed specifically for IBM i. This tool bridges traditional IBM i practices with modern DevOps, making it easier to manage builds, …

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Let’s talk about something that can seriously boost your programming productivity: split screen editing in Visual Studio Code. If you’re like most IBM i programmers, you’re probably used to alt-tabbing between files. But VS Code’s split screen functionality? It’s a game-changer. Why Should You Care About Split Screen? In my years of programming on AS400, …

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Well folks, the future for IBM-i Programmers is here, and its name is Project Bob. I just had the pleasure of getting my hands on IBM’s latest AI tool designed specifically for us IBM i programmers, and I have to say – I’m very impressed! In a world where AI seems to be everywhere (and …

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Ditching the Dinosaur Files: Why Your Modern RPG Source Code Deserves a Swanky IFS Pad Instead of Those Crusty Old AS/400 Source Files Ahoy, fellow IBM i adventurers! If you’ve been lurking in the shadowy realms of AS/400 development long enough, you know the drill: punching code into those venerable source physical files like QRPGSRC …

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If you’re still storing all your RPG, CL, and SQL source in traditional QSYS libraries, you’re missing out on one of the biggest productivity boosts available on IBM i today. The Integrated File System (IFS) is no longer just “that Unix-like thing over there” it’s the natural home for modern IBM i Source Code. Twenty …

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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. …

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The more I use Visual Studio Code the more I like it. (NOTE The same applies to IBM BOB – which is VS-Code under the covers) Here are my top 10 reasons I find this such a useful programming tool: VS-Code is the ideal choice for IBM i developers.VS Code is an ideal choice for …

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Today, I’m diving into the fun world of legacy code modernization from the old AS400 style RPG to the new free-format IBM i Style RPG. Why modernize legacy source code? Modernizing old RPG code from AS400’s column-based style to IBM i’s free-format style is a blast for a few reasons: It’s the thrill of turning …

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Welcome to the magical world of PUB400, where your IBM i dreams come true – assuming you can connect to it first! Are you ready to supercharge your development workflow and bring your IBM i coding into the 21st century? If wrestling with connection errors and configuration settings feels like a cruel joke, fear not …

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We’ve already explored how /COPY and /INCLUDE work in RPGLE, and we’ve looked at how the INCLUDE command fits into CLLE development. Now it’s time to bring those concepts together in a practical, real‑world example inside Visual Studio Code for IBM i. In this walkthrough, I demonstrate how to use copybooks effectively in both RPGLE …

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In a world where build automation is a mystical art, one brave warrior dares to conquer the realm of “RULES.mk” config files with Visual Studio Code and IBM i. Join us on this thrilling adventure! Step 1: Prepare for Battle (Install the Necessary Extensions) Gather your trusty steed (Visual Studio Code) and equip it with …

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