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IBM i, Programming, RPG, SQL
If you have ever written a tidy little subprocedure that does some embedded SQL, then checked SQLCODE afterwards only to find it stubbornly sitting at zero even though the statement clearly failed, you have probably met this gotcha. Today we are going to answer three questions that trip up plenty of IBM i developers: Spoiler: …
DISCLAIMER: This is not my usual style of programming video. It’s long format, lots of me muttering at the camera while trying to fix some RPG code. I started recording with no idea if it would work or not. Spoiler – it did in the end. Also featuring an AI generated video, a growling version …
If you have ever stared at a dusty fixed-format RPG III program from the 1990s and thought “there has to be a better way”, then IBM’s latest AI-powered sidekick might just be your new best friend. Meet IBM BOB (yes, that’s the official name now – Project Bob has grown up). BOB is IBM’s AI-first …
Count with SQLRPGLE Variable File Name Been having fun with SQL and RPG ILE this afternoon… the question was “How do I find out if and how many policies exist in one of the reservation files for a given customer code?” Obviously, we could write a little piece of RPGLE doing a READ LOOP and …
I was updating a little RPG utility this morning to add some more detail to a spreadsheet it generated. Adding the Library Description will help the non-propeller heads who read this stuff. This is super easy to do with a single line of SQL added to your RPG program. What is this spreadsheet you are …
Want to Scan Replace in RPG? In the middle of this RPG program, I want to reformat and replace some values in a big long address field. But for the life of me… I can’t remember how to use the SCANREPLACE built in function in RPG. #Dingbat /me memory circuits need a service methinks. So, like …
Using SQL in RPGLE programs is easier than you think. Making the move from RPG native file IO to SQL database IO is really quite straightforward: Changing from good old READE loops to SQL FOR Loops simply means using the SQL CURSOR function. SQL has a groovy way of referring to what the stuff that …
IBM i, Programming, RPG, SQL, Webservice
Substring in RPGLE SQL This morning, I had to make a little change to an RPG4 program to let it respond to a new parameter being passed into it via JSON. This value had to be stored in the first character of a field in a physical file in the database. Simple Logic and we …
I found this excellent article by Birgitta Hauser, Software and Database Engineer, Toolmaker Advanced Efficiency GmbH. It covers the basic concepts you will need to consider if you want to “Replace IBM i Native File Access with SQL” Just in case it vanishes I’m going to reproduce it here: If you are considering SQL and …
IBM i, Programming, RPG, SQL
AKA – Why does this compile fail using SQLRPGLE and QUALIFIED data structures? Sometimes I find a problem and scratch my head and just cannot figure it out. I swear a lot. Then I discover the solution by climbing out of my little box, turning my head at a funny angle, squinting and thinking a …
RPG PROGRAM USER(*OWNER) – Adopts the object owner level of Authority Most IBM i Programmers are aware of the USER(*OWNER) compile setting — anyone calling this program will adopt the authority level of the program. So if a program is compiled by user QSECOFR and USER(*OWNER) then anyone calling that program will automatically be elevated …
IBM i, Programming, RPG, SQL
Let’s look at a quick little example RPG email validation program – SQLRPGLE ILE There are lots of code snippets, example programs, and long waffling discussions in internet land filled with pointy-headed AS400, Series, and IBM i programmer chaps (and chappettes) arguing about the best way to “validate an email address in RPG”. I know …
