Planet i

Search400: RPG decidedly not dead, say Search400.com readers

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 15:22:21 +0000

On June 29, 2009, many Search400.com readers received an email that got them a little stirred up. I sent out our newsletter and presented an article on EGL and a blog on RPGAAS. This is what I wrote:

So is EGL the new high-definition, flat-screen replacement to that old vacuum-tube television? Is RPG really that outdated? Is there a dearth of RPG programmers available, requiring shops to consider the RPGAAS offering? I ask for reader input partly out of sheer curiosity but also out of a desire to serve the informational and educational interests of readers. If RPG is outdated, what do you need to know about instead? Send me your feedback.

Eleven readers were compelled to write back, and not too surprisingly, none of them sung the praises of the fall of RPG. Instead, most made ardent defenses of RPG as a useful and necessary programming language.

Marc Hall wrote:

I don’t believe RPG is outdated. It has become much more like a scientific language since the introduction of procedures, local variables, and pointers. ILE makes reusability easy, with modules and service programs. RPG seems like a very relevant language and I enjoy it. If there are people suggesting that RPG is outdated, why do they say so?

Bob Mizner wrote:

First, let me say that I reject the argument that there is a dearth of RPG programming talent available. This argument fails to understand the dynamics of supply and demand market forces. There is a dearth of RPG positions available to skilled RPG programmers. Don’t believe it? Post a job opening for an RPG programmer offering a competitive salary with benefits; I promise you, within hours you will have a pile of resumes to choose from. I personally know of several traditional RPG programmers who are currently either looking, or have “settled” for other work.

AS/400 shops stopped hiring after Y2K for a number of reasons, but a scarcity of programming talent was not one of them. Younger people who were educated in the 80’s and 90’s on Wintel platforms – and, in some cases, on Unix and Linux, because, after all, that’s what they learned on in college – moved into decision making positions, and lacked a fundamental understanding of what the IBM midrange platform was doing for the organization. [They] made strategic decisions to move off the platform onto newer, sexier platforms that were graphic and Web-enabled, and which made them feel more comfortable. They walked through the organization and saw all these green text-based screens, and wondered why their internal platform wasn’t capable of colorful graphics and Web-based applications that communicated to their customers and supply chain? And when they questioned their staff as to why those kinds of apps were not available, they got answers ranging from “IBM doesn’t support that” or “it’s expensive and difficult to do” on an AS/400-based server. Which is far from the truth …

I personally know of an AS/400 shop who has Web-enabled all of their internal, home-grown applications. Remote locations were able to ditch expensive frame-relay communication networks in favor of DSL lines into each of their 50+ remote locations, domestic and international. Was it expensive? It was, in fact, a fraction of the cost of moving off the AS/400 platform onto something Windows-based, rewriting legacy apps, and installing and maintaining all new Windows-based hardware and networks.

If there is a dearth of anything, it is in ISV’s offering native ERP solutions to businesses. There are a dwindling number of solutions providers who have stayed with the platform; most have developed comparable, competing apps using .Net or other development tools. RPG programmers have had to learn Java, .Net, or now PHP in order to remain employed. Rational tools? EGL? It’s all just additional buzzwords to facilitate IBM’s move away from RPG. IBM sees the writing on the wall, all these young decision-makers wanting graphic and Web-enabled interfaces. So instead of placing development emphasis on making RPG-based apps more modern – perhaps by offering a native CGI for RPG – IBM moves businesses away from the platform, away from the strength of all those legacy apps written in RPG that drive business logic, to newer platforms, newer tools, newer apps written in languages that didn’t exist a decade ago. And probably won’t exist a decade from now. Which means, for businesses who invest in them by developing business logic apps, another conversion, another migration, a decade or so down the line …

Furthermore… vLegaci’s … “RPG as a Service” is nothing more than out-sourced contract development with a new name. A pig is still a pig, and calling it something different don’t make it so. I don’t buy into it as even remotely related to “cloud computing” a.k.a. capacity on demand.

Well without getting into a semantic argument about aaS offerings and whether they’re limited to capacity on demand (which is the only part of Bob’s letter I would at all disagree with), I’ll move on to share a letter sent by Doug Streifling, who echoes some of Bob’s concerns and presents his own theories about IBM’s motives:

We checked out EGL as a possible additional tool to bring into our RPG shop. Frankly, it reminds us of IBM’s Smalltalk line. After investigating EGL plus consulting with our long time and very knowledgeable IBM business partner we realized it is not for us. The overhead was too great. The end result would not be significantly better than our native RPG software.

In my humble opinion, the death of RPG is exaggerated. I suspect the problem is that not many programmers are entering the ranks. IBM’s dedication to RPG is regularly demonstrated. However, the best thing they could do to give the language “legs” would be to give us some sort of native GUI interface, even if it is just browser-based. In fact, I’d prefer a browser-based solution over any that might require loading software on the users desktops. I realize there are tools such is iSeries Web Access what render 5250 screens in a browser. I also realize that IBM has embraced PHP, which I think is a very smart move. Perhaps they feel that these tools make it unnecessary for give us some sort of native RPG GUI.

Through all this I hope IBM is aware that there is an ever decreasing group of dedicated iSeries/RPG folks who are doing their best to keep the system alive in the face of growing opposition in the work place.

A more succinct rebuttal came from Kevin Foland:

I have been programming since 1976, started on the IBM System 3 then the System 15 Model D, 34, 36, 400. As I see it RPG will never go away until IBM drops it. But then how do you do that with so many shops (large and small) using RPG? If IBM dropped RPG on their new release 6 how many shops would migrate? I don’t ever see RPG going away. Cut back a bit, but it will still be around.
As far as [RPG]aaS goes that is already here, it is called consulting.

James Mayor had similar sentiments, and shared more evidence that RPG programmers are not hard to come by:

My judgement, based on over 35 years in IT, mostly on IBM midrange systems, is that RPG is not outdated, and is still in my opinion the fastest language to develop any business system with. The only way it will die is if IBM takes the decision to kill the language.

The problem certainly in the UK is that few companies train new programmers and others have been put off RPG by the press around the latest technologies e.g. Java etc. All the other languages have their place but cannot match RPG for business systems. IBM’s move with EGL is ok but is not the only tool on the planet. I… now use Profound Logic’s RPGSP & Genie products which were much lauded at IBM Common.

IBM needs to openly state their product plans and where RPG fits in, both now and in the future. Some years ago the AS/400 was being dropped by some companies as they had been left to believe it had no future due to abysmal marketing by IBM (their opinion as well as mine). This could happen with RPG, but hopefully the RPG community would prevail. As to lack of skilled RPG programmers in the marketplace I would say it is not true, at least not in the UK, I am always being contacted to see if I have any vacancies as the agency’s are trying to place staff they have on their books.

Robert Chambers shared this analogy about the fundamental usefulness of RPG on i:

RPG Outdated?

It’s just a programming language. Any programmer worth their salt should be able to program in RPG with vary a learning curve. Programmers look at things differently than most other groups of people.

Think of it as a Car, and you just bought a new one. You already know the basics and can get into it and take it for a spin, you just need to review where the essentials are – light switch, emergency brake, wiper controls, how to set adjust the seat and such…

Robert’s idea goes nicely with the recent tip by Andrew Borts on using RPG to its best advantage for data retrieval.

Speaking of other programming languages versus RPG, Pat McBride wrote in with some words of warning about the prospect of an automated conversion from RPG to EGL:

The idea of converting from RPG code to EGL is a terrible business idea. The code/benefit equation is terrible!

Each converted program/process must be thoroughly tested before use. You cannot assume that
converted code will work like the original code. The conversion/testing process is costly and time
consuming (many months and possibly years to thoroughly test). After converting the code,
then you have convert/train your staff to EGL. What are the benefits?

A better idea would be to have your staff trained and educated on the latest RPG and screen techniques available (embedded SQL, HTML screens etc). Why not build upon existing skills?
If the availability of trained RPGer’s is a problem, then have the business community push the local
education community to provide classes in the language. I have seen way too many oddball/useless
computer languages offered in colleges over the years.

IBM pushed the same idea years ago: Modernize your code, convert it all to Java! One of
the mentioned benefits was the code could be run on any platform. (Why have an ISeries? One of
the best platforms ever developed!)

EGL, Java and other tools have a place in the iSeries world and should be incorporated when and where appropriate.

While the idea of promoting the IBM i in colleges and universities is not new, it was discussed by YiPs President, Justin Porter, Common’s meeting of members, perhaps business community promotion of RPG programming in colleges could be part of a revamped iSociety effort similar to iManifest in Japan? Should these groups focus more attention on IBM and ask for more from the company regarding RPG support, or ask for more transparency with new programming language initiatives?

I want to thank all the readers who responded. This feedback is valuable in terms of my editorial priorities on Search400, and is interesting to hear. But, I didn’t hear from anyone who disagreed with the above points. Is there anyone out there that disagrees? Anyone?

Confessions of an iSeries Priest: HTTP Group PTF SF99114 level 19 is Released on the Heels of Level 18.

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 15:30:40 +0000

Group PTF levels don't come out all that often. The HIPER group is every two weeks, but the other groups are every couple of months at least. Whenever a new version of a group PTF comes out on the heals of an earlier version it usually means that the high priests in Mecca (aka Rochester, MN) are correcting some kind of unforeseen problem. Sometimes they add a new PTF but more often than not they remove some PTF's. Always without explanation.

Last Friday our Lord Ib'm came out with level 18 of the V5R4 HTTP group PTF SF99114 and yesterday they issued level 19. In so doing they removed two PTF's from the group: 5722DG1-SI35431 and SI35432. The PTFs haven't been PE'ed, but I'm not sure whether or not I'm going to install them. On the one hand these two PTFs update the Apache server to the latest level (2.0.63) and fix a security problem (CVE-2008-2939). On the other hand it might cause other problems that our Lord Ib'm has seen fit not to reveal to us.

iSeries Redbooks: IBM Smart Business Unified Communications and IP Telephony

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 13:30:00 +0000

Redpaper, published: Fri, 10 Jul 2009

- Learn how to deploy IP Telephony by example with practical scenarios
- Increase productivity with centralized collaboration
- Unleash the power of Unified Communications

Small and medium-sized businesses deserve more from ITÑmore choice, less complexity, better integration, and comprehensive support.

Search400: Japanese System i resellers and ISVs form iManifest

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 12:16:09 +0000

More than 70 System i vendors have joined hands in Japan to form iManifest, a group dedicated to promoting the IBM System i platform.

The slogan for the group is a take off a famous quote by John F. Kennedy, and it goes like this: “Ask not what IBM can do for you, ask what you can do for the IBM i community.” The folks at IBM, though not involved with the group, are supporting it, and even former IBMers like Frank Soltis are behind the effort.

The success of the impromptu group in Japan raises questions about whether the American System i community can get something similar off the ground. Though iSociety is still around, it hasn’t lived up to its original expectations. Maybe it can restructure itself to look more like iManifest?

Some links: The iManifest “declaration,” a column on what we can learn from iManifest, and a call to arms, so to speak, for a similar EMEA-based group.

Here’s an excerpt from the group’s joint declaration:

We do not know of any machine other than IBM i which has resolutely protected user assets for 20 years and would continue to protect them in the future. We think we have a mission to convey its excellence and superiority. We can justifiably describe IBM i as “the miracle in computer history”, especially when we speak to enterprise management, thought leaders in the business world and all those engaged in information system departments.

Every-one in business continues to face a fierce battle, if described in a simple word, to innovate the old to create the new, by incessant managerial and operational innovation. We firmly believe from our communication with many customers and by looking back at our own experience that there would be no progress without innovation in Information Technology to support business.

IBM i is well known for having the largest number of customers using a single systems family. It has retained its brilliant record of No.1 position for more than 10 years in the “Customers’ Satisfaction Survey” conducted every year in Japan by the Nikkei Computer magazine. The platform’s reliability, stability, resilience and high ROI stand out from all others.

Taking the opportunity of IBM i’s 20th anniversary we have established the IBM i Manifest to ask users to again recognize the value and achievements of IBM i. We ask that they renew their firm confidence and belief that IBM i is the best infrastructure available to support managerial and operational innovation.

Further we think that the merits of this excellent system should be shared by many others. More widespread usage of IBM i is the best way for corporations to strengthen their management capability and business power. We have started activities to add to the user community as many new companies as possible. We, the IBM i Manifest initiative support members, have been very proud of assisting our customers over many years with this very rare product, IBM i. We will act widely, in various ways and continuously, to help business-people to recognize the merit, excellence and achievements of IBM i.

Search400: Running IBM i on the JS23 and JS43 blade servers

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 17:43:07 +0000

IBM has just released a Redbook with detailed implementation instructions for JS23 and JS43 IBM BladeCenter blade servers. The 594-page guide (yes, 594) is good both for an overall look at the IBM BladeCenter platform, as well as detailed implementation guidelines for specific operating systems (in addition to IBM i, it also has chapters on AIX, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, and SUSE Linux).

The chapter on IBM i implementation is about 100 pages.

Search400: System i guy looking to shave hair for charity

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 17:35:06 +0000

This might be a bit offtopic, but it’s for a good cause. Aaron Bartell, a System i consultant and big proponent of RPG on the platform, is running a marathon in Chicago on Aug. 7. His goal is to raise $10,000 for World Vision, a Christian humanitarian organization that is tackling worldwide child poverty and hunger.

But Bartell is throwing in a twist. For certain landmarks, Bartell has agreed to remove hair from certain parts of his body. At the $1,000 mark, he’ll shave his head. For $2,000, the armpits. And so on, until at the $10,000 mark, Bartell will hand over a hand buzzer to his 4-year-old son and let him get artistic on his head.

Check it out, and if you can, donate.

iSeries Redbooks: IBM Power 520 and Power 550 (POWER6) System Builder

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 13:30:00 +0000

Draft Redbook, last updated: Tue, 7 Jul 2009

- Delivers IBM POWER6 scalability and energy efficiency to small and medium businesses
- Delivers synergy between IBM System i and IBM System p
- Includes IBM PowerVM virtualization technology

In 2008, IBM® System i® and IBM System p® platforms unified the value of their servers into a single, powerful lineup of servers based on industry-leading POWER6™ processor technology with support for the IBM AIX®, IBM i (formerly known as i5/OS®), and Linux® operating systems.

iDevelop: Make Yourself Happier--Give

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 13:19:00 +0000

Everyone feels down from time to time. In the current economic climate, it seems people have more reasons than ever to be depressed. Nearly everyone...

My Midrange Meddle: iManifest EMEA: Call for Participation

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 09:59:33 +0000

When your image is in the toilet, and you need an urgent public makeover, then you call Max Clifford Associates. But a modem is no longer bundled with an IBM i server so it can’t dial Max for help! One might also turn to a parent for support in times of need but … well, say no more. So we, the IBM partner community, must band together to correct some misconceptions and promote longevity of the

RPG Cafe: RDi 7.5 Fixpack 3 (7.5.0.3) is now available

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 01:49:33 +0000

Fix Pack 3 for RDi v7.5 is now available.

The fix pack contains enhancements and fixes to version 7.5.

To install the fix pack, start the IBM Installation Manager and click on 'Update'.

The fix pack is also available as a downloadable zip (500MB). You will find it on the Download section of the support site soon. You can also download the zip from:
http://download.boulder.ibm.com/ibmdl/pub/software/awdtools/rdi/v75/7503/zips/rdi-7.5.0.3.zip

Link to the RDi 7.5.0.3 Release Notes:
http://download.boulder.ibm.com/ibmdl/pub/software/awdtools/rdi/v75/7503/documents/readme/readme.html

The following corrections have been included in this fix pack.

SE34801: In the Error List view, clicking on an error from a compiler generated stmt (eg external file description) positions to wrong source line in Editor view
SE36276: CL prompter dialog appends duplicated parameter entries
SE36532: In the RPG Outline View, line number references will now be shown under the individual subfields for qualified data structure subfields.
SE36594: EVFF6009E when using CRTSQLRPGI command in RDi 7.1 and 7.5 and i5OS 610
SE36981: Incorrect outline view in RDi 7.5 when performing a verify
SE37116: Running a compare and then changing the source in RSE does not correctly update the file on the i server.
SE37302: The i Project push changes action pushes all members to the remote host even though there were no changes made to the members.
SE37332: CTRL-C and CTRL-V keystrokes in the i Project navigator do not perform copy and paste of i Project resources.
SE37440: In the Application Diagram View, for RPG modules, some procedure call reference links were not shown when they involved field or parameter definitions which depended on external descriptions.
SE37488: Copy of source member between different connections to same system loses text descripton in RDi v7.5
SE37606: Compile option UPDPGM doesn't function correctly
SE37658: Problem with set save.textlimit 92 with a continuation character
SE37688: The IBM-supplied iSeries Java DFU ListManager bean does not always function properly. A selected cell within a JTable or JFormattedTable will not always correctly update the database file or the table cell itself with the data that was typed into the cell.
SE37689: The i Project import remote objects dialog does not resize properly.
SE37750: Creating custom compile command in iProjects (WDSC 7.0.0.8 and RDI 7.5.0.2) and getting CPD1013
Loading an i Project from RTCi can intermittently cause Null Pointer exceptions.
Renaming a large i Project can sometimes take a long time.
Pushing a large i Project to the host can cause the workbench to freeze.
The properties of members that are newly downloaded to an i Project are pushed un-necessarily on a push change operation.
After compiling source members with embedded SQL, there may be an exception thrown during parsing of the events file, preventing the Error List view from being populated. In some other cases, double clicking on errors in the Error List view does not always embed the errors in the correct lines.
SE37803: Rational Team Concert for i assigned Client Access licenses do not display
SE38015: Rational Team Concert licenses lost every few days

The following enhancements have been included in this fix pack.

The Rational Team Concert for i - Client has been updated to version 1.0.1.1 which includes enhancements from Rational Team Concert Version 1.0.1 and 1.0.1.1. For details see:
- https://jazz.net/downloads/rational-team-concert/releases/1.0.1?p=news
- https://jazz.net/downloads/rational-team-concert/releases/1.0.1.1?p=news
Note: It is highly recommended that you access Rational Team Concert for i Server using the same version level as Rational Team Concert for i client. For example, if you are updating Rational Team Concert for i client to version 1.0.1.1, update Rational Team Concert for i server to version 1.0.1.1 as well. Using mismatched versions may lead to undesirable results. For detailed installation instructions see: http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg27014187

System i5 New Generation Computing: LookSoftware and application modernization

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 00:06:54 +0000

We have been thinking of adding a new interface to the Shield Products for sometime now. Originally we had hoped to add a PHP based service which would allow the data and product menu options to be managed through a HTTP based interface. However after some trials and research we found the PHP approach [...]

ILE RPG programming tips and techniques: Tips to improve your programming skills

Sat, 04 Jul 2009 09:50:58 +0000

Good practices for the programmer The purpose of this post is to get you thinking about how to improve your programming skill set with an overarching goal of increased efficiency. We all have room for improvement. In my experience one of the biggest pitfalls in this profession is the lack of cooperation among programmers. All too often IT professionals are overly concerned about job security

System i Management Tip: 6/30/09 There's a backup version of the controlling subsystem (QCTL)

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:47:11 +0000

If you’ve changed attributes of the QCTL subsystem and lost track of what the defaults should be, or worse yet you’ve changed the controlling subsystem in some way that the system refuses to IPL properly, there’s a little known “backup” version of the controlling subsystem called QSYSSBSD. It’s specially protected so that it cannot be changed, only displayed. It’s always there, in the QCTL

iSeries Redbooks: IBM BladeCenter JS23 and JS43 Implementation Guide

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:30:00 +0000

Redbook, published: Thu, 2 Jul 2009

- Featuring installation techniques for the IBM AIX, IBM i, and Linux operating systems
- Showing Live Partition Mobility scenarios
- Detailing AMS, IVM, and power management

This IBM® Redbooks® publication provides a detailed technical guide for configuring and using the IBM BladeCenter® JS23 and IBM BladeCenter JS43 servers.

Midrange Jobs: Manager- Midrange/Storage at Express (formerly of The Limited) (Columbus, Ohio)

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:50:24 +0000

Mgr- Midrange/Storage Manages the Enterprise Mid-range systems: iSeries, Unix and Storage environments. Main responsibilities include but are not limited to the following: Must have current E...

iDevelop: RSE, Anyone?

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:01:22 +0000

Lately, we've heard from several sources that attendance at courses,and interest in books, conference sessions, etc., on Remote System Explorer (RSE) may be waning a...

System i5 New Generation Computing: RAP with automated IFS replication

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 19:51:19 +0000

The PTF is finally built and running in our test environments which provides the IFS replication capabilities to the Receiver Apply program using the QAUDJRN instead of the user journals. The User journals are very good at replicating the changes in most circumstances but we found a few small issues when testing at a [...]

System i5 New Generation Computing: Problem with CPFA0A9 resolved

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 20:39:16 +0000

I was having problems with the sending of message CPFA0A9 which was received in an exception routine onto the message queue of our Receiver Apply Program. This stems from the message data which is sent being of type *CCHAR and CCSID 1200. Initially we tried to convert the message data using the iconv() functions but had [...]

Search400: Top concerns of System i users in Europe

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:25:37 +0000

Here are the top concerns of European System i users, according to a survey taken by COMMON Europe:

Satisfy internal customers
Treat data security and confidentiality as a business risk
Improve IT security and continuity
Receive consistent high quality service and support from vendors
Keep the skills current for the existing staff
Make me grow as a more competent individual
Do fast application development to fulfill business needs
Build business skills in the information technology shop
Standardize and consolidate IT infrastructure
Attract the younger generation to centralized systems
Easily exchange information with other companies/institutions
Find applications that fulfill business needs
Acquire and retain IT personnel
Correctly measure the value of IT to business
Integrate document management and unstructured data with core applications
Assure better data warehousing with real answers to business questions

Search400: Western Power Sports boosts online sales with the System i

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:21:36 +0000

Western Power Sports reworked its online presence using Web development tools on the System i, a move that has increased online sales of its power sports equipment fivefold.

Prior to the project, the Boise, Idaho-based company was only generating about 10% of its sales online. Now about half of its sales comes over the Internet, garnering more than 1 million page views, 17,000 orders and about $7.5 million in sales every month.

How did it happen? Well, it almost didn’t. The fast-growing company was outgrowing its outdated Web presence, and needed something that would better integrate with its existing System i platform.

“We didn’t have the time or the ability at that point to develop our own solution,” said Rody Cummings, the company’s IT director. “What we were looking for was a company to sell us a product and also provide a solution they could support.”

What Cummings found was that most products had steep, lengthy learning curves that Western Power Sports didn’t have the time to endure. So the company was leaning toward outsourcing its Web development entirely.

It decided to listen to one more pitch, from a company called Profound Logic. The software vendor sells RPGsp, an RPG-based Web development platform on the System i. Cummings said that halfway through the demonstration, he knew it was something that Western Power Sports could use.

A few weeks later, Western Power Sports had developed a new online platform that was implemented soon after.

“With our previous solution it would have taken a full week of me working with the product along with their team just to get a website online that still had no functionality,” he said.

Search400: A bunch of System i videos on YouTube

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 12:50:58 +0000

nbsp;Midrange.com has four YouTube videos embedded in a post on the benefits of IBM’s Dynamic Infrastructure. The videos are of various System i personalities riffing on how cool the platform is. The videos were reportedly taken at the COMMON show in Reno. They star Trevor Perry, Pete Massiello, Justin Porter and Jim Oberholtzer, and there are a couple more (Wayne Madden and Lew Satur) at an IBM YouTube channel.

Search400: Does this mean all System i users are headcases?

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 12:44:29 +0000

I just saw this job posting on midrange.com: Psychiatrist, American Hospital Service Group.

The description: “Great opportunity to work for your country as a psychiatrist. Candidate must have 2yrs experience and will evaluate,diagnoses & treat psychiatric disorders.”

Search400: Twittering off the System i

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 12:35:31 +0000

Usually when I think of the IBM System i, Twitter doesn’t pop into my head. Kisco Information Systems, a longtime IBM System i software vendor, is looking to change that.

Last week the Saranac Lake, N.Y.-based company announced a new release of SNDTWEET, an application that allows users to post, receive and reply to Twitter messages from a System i server. The company pitches the application as a way to turn Twitter into a modern-day SMS system for your shop.

For example, a system running some regular overnight processing could automatically send out a tweet to its followers (ie. the System i administrator and programmers) when it completes. If the tweet doesn’t go out, it’s likely there was a problem. System i Twitter users can send each other messages, or the company’s marketing department could set up a list of tweets to promote company announcements on certain days. Though a Twitter account’s default is to have all its tweets be public to the whole world, you can change that setting to private when you set up an account.

Is relying on Twitter as an SMS service good business practice? That is something you would have to figure out if you’re considering using this product. There are occasional outages on Twitter, and relying on an application to contact a third-party service might not be the best way to do system monitoring. Kisco is offering a 30-day free trial of the product if you want to check it out.

Midrange Jobs: Psychiatrist at American Hospital Service Group (Arkansas)

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 20:54:04 +0000

Great opportunity to work for your country as a psychiatrist. Candidate must have 2yrs experience and will evaluate,diagnoses & treat psychiatric disorders. Completion of residency or fellowship in...

midrange.com imho: IBM i Videos on YouTube

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 20:00:14 +0000

There are a few IBM i related videos that were created by IBM (during COMMON in Reno) starring various community luminaries. More can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/user/dynamicinfrastructur. Technorati Tags: ibm, ibm i, Marketing, video, youtube

Search400: RPG as a service

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:17:11 +0000

Beyond the world of IBM i, the hottest topic in IT right now is “Cloud Computing,” which is essentially a mix of platform and software-as-a-service (PaaS and SaaS) offerings that are available on-demand. So it was with a little amusement and some interest that I read the press release from vLegaci offering RPGAAS. That’s right, RPG as a service.

“… designed for companies who don’t always have an RPG programmer available, or need quick, cost-effective programming results…”

After a year of reading emails from readers inquiring about a variety of topics, I have to think that there is a market for such a product, and vLegaci’s President, Steve Kilner, says that Gartner’s findings support this supposition.

“Consensus is emerging from IT thought leaders such as Gartner Group and Capers Jones that maintaining and modernizing legacy systems gives the best possible return on IT dollars,” said Kilner. “For businesses with legacy RPG systems, the dwindling pool of RPG programmers poses the challenge of how to get unfamiliar programmers up to speed rapidly on complicated legacy code. vLegaci addresses this through the use of its innovative program comprehension tool, Codelyzer. This static and dynamic analysis tool enables new programmers to quickly assess unfamiliar RPG programs, thereby enabling the concept of a service such as RPGAAS.”

What do you think? Is this a service your company could use?

My Midrange Meddle: We should import more from Japan

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 14:03:11 +0000

Before the nationalists among you cry out in protest, I should explain that I am not advocating a widening of our trade gap. Instead, a colleague in our Asia Pacific subsidiary has just told me about an uprising by the IBM partner community in Japan. It sounds like another innovation from the East that could well be heading West.A group of over 70 IBM partners and Independent Software Vendors (

iDevelop: Asking the Right Questions

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 13:44:00 +0000

We've asked a lot of questions of our own in recent blogs and and we've received great feedback for which we thank you. Last week's...

ILE RPG programming tips and techniques: Advertising Policy

Sun, 21 Jun 2009 09:20:37 +0000

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ILE RPG programming tips and techniques: privacy policy

Sun, 21 Jun 2009 09:19:39 +0000

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System i Management Tip: 6/19/09 How To Generate a Disk Analysis Report

Sun, 21 Jun 2009 01:20:13 +0000

Another way to see what is taking up your disk space is to view the i5/OS disk analysis report. To build the Disk Analysis file, use the following command:SBMJOB CMD(RTVDSKINF) JOB(RTVDSKINF) JOBQ(QSYSNOMAX)You can monitor the job by issuing the following:WRKACTJOB SBS(QSYSWRK)Job name = RTVDSKINFOnce the job finishes running, create the print report:SBMJOB CMD(PRTDSKINF RPTTYPE(*LIB)) JOB(

Confessions of an iSeries Priest: Recommended PTFs for Enterprise Externder is Incomplete.

Sun, 21 Jun 2009 00:54:47 +0000

The list of V5R4 recommended PTFs for Enterprise Extender (EE) is incomplete. I had to open a PMR with the minions of our Lord Ib'm because the old testament SNA communiation controllers on our development coding system failed to connect to the production systems, so we were unable to use SAVRSTOBJ.

The support priest sent me the complete list of recommended PTFs for EE and we were missing three PTFs. I have since confirmed that those were probably the three that we needed because after applying them the systems are again able to communicate using the old protocol.

When I checked I found that the EE list noted above wasn't up to date. I've sent feedback to the keepers of the web site, but as a courtesy I thought I'd post the complete list here as well:

PTF	Release	Cumulative Tape	Modules
MF40235	540	7107	HPRIP ctlr with exchange ID defined will not vary on and SDLC XID has problem if HPR=YES.
MF43629	540	8305	*HPRIP ctlr with exchange ID defined will not vary on.
MF42291	540	8183	DLUR and HPRIP controllers go vary on pending after Activate instead of VARIED ON, CPA58D1. MSCP changed to allow DLUR to recover on VTAM deactivate or activate.
MF42499	540	8057	NETWORK ID ALWHPTWR and HPR are *YES, ICF applications fail w/CPF5535, jobs remain in a UNKNOWN state. Sequence of BAD XID network frames case EE to be improperly initialized with invalid controller's values.
MF42587	540	8057	EE HPRIP controller remains in VaryOnPending status with no XID's being sent out.
MF45692	540	1000	EE using HPR and RTP receives timeout error. application joblogs show CPF5355. APPN&SrcSink shows RTPburst timer did not expire AND EE/HPR CONNECTION STALLS AND NO DATA IS SENT
MF44200	540	8305	EE endnode unable to locate a CICS region on ZOS LPAR
MF43891	540	8305	LDLC remains in a reset status, LatePrenegotiation XID does not send a NULL XID on its own.
MF45851	540	1000	HPR config is active, but active connections lock up, When you vary off APPC *HPRIP controllers and vl 07000C1F occurs, the process to activate PTF. An IPL will be needed to reset error condition. AND EE/HPR stops sending data when incoming stream data packet missing
MF46217	540	1000	EE task may block streams on gate before error is sent back
MF46237	540	1000	Vary On HPRIP CTL fails after IPL, XID does not complete
MF44897	545	8305	DLUR and HPRIP controllers go vary on pending after Activate instead of VARIED ON, CPA58D1. MSCP changed to allow DLUR to recover on VTAM deactivate or activate.
MF45170	545	9104	NETWORK ID ALWHPTWR and HPR are *YES, ICF applications fail w/CPF5535, jobs remain in a UNKNOWN state. Sequence of BAD XID network frames case EE to be improperly initialized with invalid controller's values.
MF44262	545	8305	*HPRIP ctlr with exchange ID defined will not vary on.
MF45881	545	9104	HEA fc181X and Virtual Ethernet fc268C lossing data in UDP layer
MF46122	545	8305	NETWORK ID ALWHPTWR and HPR are *YES, ICF applications fail w/ CPF5535 and will now accept retransmitted frames in BIND.
MF43329	545	8183	Partition/system crash with srcB6005121 on vary of EE controller
MF44072	545	8183	EE HPRIP controller remains in VaryOnPending status with no XID's being sent out
	545	do not order - test status	MF44344 - EE/HPR ICF application fails. CPF5107 E015 unbind received RTP did not check for this error
MF46366	545	1000	Vary On HPRIP CTL fails after IPL, XID does not complete
MF46218	545	1000	EE task may block streams on gate before error is sent back
MF46063	545	1000	APPC using HPR/EE gets RTP timeout
MF46064	545	1000	EE endnode unable to locate a CICS region on ZOS LPAR

ILE RPG programming tips and techniques: Using free format RPG IV

Sat, 20 Jun 2009 21:18:04 +0000

Basically all you need to add free format source code (calculation specs) to your RPG IV programs is the beginning "/free" and the ending "/end-free".

Here's a code sample used for removing the rightmost (last) hyphen from a string using a do while loop:

c/free

// find last hyphen

length = %len(%trim(VarString));

dow length > 1 and %subst(VarString:length:1)<>'-' ;

length=length -1 ;

enddo ;

// remove that hyphen

if %subst(VarString:length:1)='-' ;

VarString = %replace('':VarString:length:1) ;

endif ;

/end-free

Next, an example of CHAIN using file invtable with keys ininv (invoice number) and invnd (vendor number). Note that a KLIST is not necessary as defining key fields is much easier in free format RPG. Don't forget to end each statement with a semicolon.

c/free

chain(n) (ininv:invnd) invtable;

eval FndUniq = %found;

/end-free

Comments are started with a double forward slash and do not require an asterisk in position seven.

//commenting often increases clarity and, therefore, programmer happiness

Example of calling a program from free format RPG, and passing parms ininv and invnd (invoice number and vendor). Note the Call is implied so it is unnecessary to include it when calling another program:

c/free

mypgm (ininv:invnd)

/end-free

ILE RPG programming tips and techniques: Rid your system of crossed up logical files

Sat, 20 Jun 2009 21:17:45 +0000

Every system runs the risk of logical file views that aren't pointing to the correct physical files. I have run across this many times so it is one of the first evaluations I do for any new client.

If the logical file is simply used for reading a file incorrect results on reports and/or displays can occur, for example. Even worse though is if the logical is used for updating then the physical file being changed may be the wrong one. This can cause test programs to update files in your production environment and vice-versa.

Fortunately checking your system for and ridding yourself of "crossed-up" logical files is fairly easy.

We need only enough information about each file to determine the file type, the library where the file exists, and the files' parent library. We can retrieve all of this by using DSPFD to dump a list of all logicals in a library to an outfile. If the outfile does not exist the DSPFD command will create it. I normally run this one library at a time and especially for libraries that might have some ongoing development.

1. Command String

DSPFD FILE(TESTLIB/*ALL) TYPE(*ACCPTH) OUTPUT(*OUTFILE) FILEATR(*LF) OUTFILE(QGPL/LOGICALS)

2. Then select logicals where the resident library is not equal to the parent library.

RUNQRY QRYFILE((QGPL/LOGICALS)) RCDSLT(*YES)

Select Records

Type comparisons, press Enter.

Specify OR to start each new group. Tests: EQ, NE, LE, GE, LT, GT, RANGE, LIST, LIKE, IS,ISNOT...
AND/OR Field Test Value
APLIB NE APBOL

The same query can be executed in SQL as such:

select apfile aplib, apbof, apbol from qgpl/logicals where apbof <> apbol

Of course there will be times when the different locations are acceptable. However, the list will usually be manageable and the mistakes should jump out like a sore thumb. Any crossed-up logicals will need to be recompiled over the correct library list. Depending on the number of changes happening on your system it may be a good idea to check again periodically.

ILE RPG programming tips and techniques: Run SQL statements automatically with RUNSQLSTM

Sat, 20 Jun 2009 21:17:22 +0000

STRSQL is a powerful and useful interactive tool (in the right hands) but it can be cumbersome to retrieve previous SQL statements, modify them and then run them again all the while hoping there are no typos. If you find yourself frequently entering the same SQL commands why not save them to a text file and automate the process?

I like to save the SQL statements in a source file named qtxtsrc. Once saved the SQL can be executed from a CL containing the RUNSQLSTM command.

In this example two inventory file field definitions were reversed during an upgrade and the data had to be swapped (mapped correctly) during the process. This can be accomplished with one SQL statement. Note that there is no need for messy work fields that might otherwise be used when coding the same solution in RPG.

Step 1. Create the text type source member.

Contents of the source member sqlfswap (saved as a text file):

update datalib/invenpf set field1 = field2, field2 = field1

Step 2. Create CL member sqlfswapcl:

ADDLIBLE mylib

MONMSG msgid(cpf0000)

RUNSQLSTM srcfile(mylib/qtxtsrc) srcmbr(sqlfswap)

MONMSG msgid(cpf0000)

endpgm

Step 3. Run the CL and check your results.

Of course the CL can be set up on the job scheduler (wrkjobscde) if your application needs to be run automatically at specified intervals and multiple sql statements can be added into the same text source member.

ILE RPG programming tips and techniques: FTP refresher part II - automate the iSeries file transfer

Sat, 20 Jun 2009 21:16:05 +0000

Now we can expand some on the basic information found in FTP Refresher part I - iSeries file transfer made easy. Refer to part one if a quick review is necessary.

Using script files (file extension ".ftp") is one simple way to accomplish FTP automation. There are many software packages that support automated FPT. However, if we want more control with file overrides and error-checking CL procedures can be used as this example explains. The first requirement is to create a text file with the FTP statements. The statements can also helpful when entered manually during testing of your FTP automation.

The first FTP statement in this new text member is a log-on with a valid user-id and password. The sign on is followed by a 'change directory' statement to set up the directory on the remote computer. The FTP directory is similar to a library name on the iSeries. The 'cd ..' sets the directory back one level for the location where the transferred file is to be placed on the remote system. The location can be specified as cd library-name as in "cd pospaylib".
The text file contains:

USER some_user_name fictitious_password
cd.. quote site lrecl=112 cy pri=10 sec=5
put mylib/pospay "acct_company_file(+1)"
put mylib/trailer "acct_company_file_trg(+1)"
quit

The 'quote site' statement defines the record length, block size, etc. on the remote system. CY is short for 'cylinders', PRI and SEC are short for 'primary' and 'secondary' respectively. The 'quote site' in this example is used by a remote mainframe to determine the record length and the number of primary and secondary cylinders for allocating storage space. Your situation may be slightly different and the 'quote' statement may or may not be required for any given FTP solution. The parameters for the 'quote' and 'put' statements will largely depend on requirements from your target system.

The 'bin' statement can optionally be added after the quote statement in order to transfer the file in binary but this also must match the specific requirements of the receiving computer.

The file name in the 'put' statement normally will be the actual name of an existing file on the target system. The target computer might be another iSeries, a mainframe, a Unix or a windows machine. In this example the remote system receives two files, the second being a one record trailer for totals. The total record has to match or the batch would be rejected at the remote system and an FTP error was issued.

Next we need to create a CL to actually run the FTP. First let the procedure copy the source statements from the text file into a qtemp file.

CPYF fromfile(mylib/qtxtsrc) tofile(qtemp/ftpsrc) frommbr(ppoftrns) tombr(ppoftrns) mbropt(*replace) crtfile(*yes)

Then override to the new file in qtemp.

OVRDBF file(ppoftrns) tofile(qtemp/ftpsrc) mbr(ppoftrns)

Next both INPUT and OUTPUT files need an override. The file names INPUT and OUTPUT are intrinsically understood by the FTP command. With the overrides in place the FTP file INPUT points to the source statements in our text file. The override to the file named OUTPUT represents a text file where we store the results.

A review of qgpl/qoutput will show all of the ftp statements including with transmission errors. In part III we also use the OUTPUT file to check for errors during the transmission.

OVRDBF file(INPUT) tofile(qtemp/ftpsrc) mbr(ppoftrns)
OVRDBF file(OUTPUT) tofile(qgpl/QOUTPUT) mbr(OUTPUT)
CLRPFM file(qgpl/qoutput) mbr(output)

FTP 'nnn.nn.nnn.nn' replace with the actual name or IP address of the target system

The following copy statement will save the actual FTP results to a separate file.

CPYF fromfile(qgpl/qoutput) tofile(qgpl/ftpout) mbropt(*add) fmtopt(*cvtsrc)

If no serious errors were found during the transmission it is a good idea for the procedure to do a CPYF to a historical recovery file. This file keeps track of every transferred record for safekeeping and auditing purposes. Of course it is best to write the history based on something unique, preferably a batch number and the date (if the FTP runs once daily). Note the from-file is the one specified the first put statement in the text source member.

CPYF fromfile(pospay) tofile(pospayh) mbropt(*add) crtfile(*no) fmtopt(*NOCHK)

Don't forget to delete your overrides and clear out the temporary files.

DLTOVR file(INPUT OUTPUT)
CLRPFM file(qgpl/qoutput) mbr(output)
CLRPFM file(*libl/pospay)
DLTF file(qtemp/ftpsrc)

Lastly, if no errors where encountered, send a message that the procedure completed successfully. The process is not really complete until it is determined if the receiving system received the transfer or if some errors were sent back. proceed to part III - FTP error checking

ILE RPG programming tips and techniques: FTP refresher part III - iSeries file transfer error checking

Sat, 20 Jun 2009 21:15:45 +0000

The FTP refresher course would not be complete without a discussion of error checking. It is time to introduce a second CL procedure. Refer to the actual ftp procedure as the "first" or calling procedure and the error checking routine as the "second" or called procedure.

In the previous discussion (refresher course part II) the results of the transmission from the file OUTPUT were copied from qgpl/qoutput to a physical file qgpl/ftpout.

The first procedure, the calling procedure, needs a few variables declared. Two are defined as alphanumeric and one is numeric.

DCL       var(&FTPERR) type(*char) len(1)
DCL       var(&FTPDAT) type(*char) len(60)
DCL       var(&RECS)      type(*dec) len(10 0)

When the FTP is run and control is passed back the calling procedure should immediately check for an empty file. If the &RECS is zero then a message is sent and the FTP procedure is terminated.

RTVMBRD       file(qgpl/qoutput) mbr(output) nbrcurrcd(&RECS)
   IF COND(&RECS *EQ 0) THEN(DO)
SNDMSG MSG('''File not transferred! No FTP records found in the output file. +
See qgpl/qoutput(output) for details''') tousr(*SYSOPR)
    GOTO cmdlbl(END)
   ENDDO

Before calling the error checking procedure we need override to the OUTPUT results file prior to calling the error checking procedure.

OVRDBF   file(OUTPUT) tofile(qgpl/ftpout)

Add a call statement for calling the second procedure. The first CL will compile, but not run, even if the second procedure does not yet exist.

CALL     pgm(qgpl/CHKFTP) parm(&ftperr &ftpdat)

Now create/compile the second procedure.

Example of the called procedure CHKFTP:

/**************************************************************************/

/* Name: CHKFTP */

/* Description: CHECK FTP FOR ERRORS */

/**************************************************************************/

              PGM       parm(&ftperr &ftpdat)

/* also define variables in the called error checker */

               DCL       var(&FTPERR) type(*char) len(1)
               DCL       var(&FTPDAT) type(*char) len(60)
             DCL       var(&RECS)      type(*dec) len(10 0)

/* declare the results file and initialize variables */
             DCLF file(qgpl/ftpout) rcdfmt(*all)

            CHGVAR   var(&ftpdat) value(*blanks)
            CHGVAR   var(&ftperr) value('N')

/* read through the results and look for error messages*/
RCVF:
            RCVF
monmsg(CPF0864) exec(RETURN)

            IF cond(%sst(&DATA 1 1) *EQ '4' THEN(DO)
            CHGVAR   var(&ftpdat) value(&DATA)
            CHGVAR   var(&ftperr) value('Y')
ENDDO

            IF cond(%sst(&DATA 1 2) *EQ '53' *OR %sst(&DATA 1 2) *EQ '55') THEN(DO)
            CHGVAR   var(&ftpdat) value(&DATA)
            CHGVAR   var(&ftperr) value('Y')
ENDDO

GOTO    cmdlbl(RCVF)
            ENDPGM

The copy of qoutput file is checked for status messages that start with a '4' or '53' or '55' but only legitimate errors should be trapped. The FTP error codes starting with '4', '53', and '55' denote the transmission has failed. While extremely rare beware of the possibility that some superfluous messages could start with these characters. If so the error checker will need to trap at a more detailed level.

If errors are detected the procedure should send a message and end without clearing the work files. If the transmission is mission critical then further corrective action might be required to ensure completion of the transmission (e.g. manual FTP).

Most problems are noted in the setting up and testing phase. Automated FTP in production can be very stable but the procedures must always be coordinated with certain changes on the remote system.

Next, the error flag and data parameters are passed back to the calling procedure and checked.

      IF   cond(&FTPERR = 'Y') THEN(DO)
         SNDMSG     MSG('''File not transferred! Problem with FTP. +
         Error code ''*CAT &FTPDAT *CAT''. See QGPL/QOUTPUT/OUTPUT for details''') +
         tousr(*SYSOPR)
         goto cmdlbl(END)
     ENDDO

Finally make sure the main FTP procedure includes the ENDPGM tag.
END:   ENDPGM

The intent here is to provide a refresher for your understanding of FTP as opposed to providing cut and paste code. A basic understanding of FTP is a prerequisite to implementing any of this code.

ILE RPG programming tips and techniques: FTP refresher part IV - sending and receiving PC files

Sat, 20 Jun 2009 21:15:13 +0000

You can send PC files to the i5 and receive i5 files on the PC. If using windows on the PC, go to the start/run dialog box and type 'cmd'. Change to the directory where either your PC files exist or where you want to store received files.

cd c:\myfiles\test-ftp-data

From the DOS command line start your ftp session. If you connect to the iSeries remotely you may have to start your VPN connection first.

>ftp remote-sys (where remote-sys is either the i5 IP or DNS address, either should work)

ftp starts, connection messages received, log-in required.
Connected to remote-sys.
220 Connection will close if idle more than 5 minutes.
User (remote-sys:(none)): userID                         (enter your i5 signon userID and password)
331 Enter password:   (displayed as blanks)
230 user-id logged on.

Next, enter the mode for the transmission. The mode is 'ascii' for text files and 'binary' for data files.
ftp>ascii
200 Representation type is ASCII nonprint.

FTP will not translate packed/zoned data but you can use the command CPYTOIMPF (copy to import file) to unpack the data if receiving from the i5. This command is very flexible and handles decimal points, delimiters, negative numbers, etc. It should not be necessary for text files however.

The transmission mode can be verified by typing the 'type' command. This step is optional.
ftp>type
Using ascii mode to transfer files.

Next issue the command to send or receive the files.
To retrieve file(s) from the i5:
ftp> get remote-lib/remote-file.remote-mbr to-pc-file.txt     (the i5 "from file.member" and PC "to file")

Several status messages received...
250 File transfer completed successfully
As well as a message showing the size of the transferred file and the amount of time the transfer took.

To upload from the PC to the i5:
ftp> put pc-file-txt remote-lib/remote-file.remote-mbr

When finished type the ftp command:
ftp>quit

Then enter the dos command:
c:\>exit

Conclusion: This example shows the simple transmission of a text file. However, ftp is much more robust and can send/receive save files, transmit in binary, handle wildcards and do multiple put/get commands. The FTP commands can be automated by using a script file (extension ".ftp").

ILE RPG programming tips and techniques: SQL in free format RPG

Sat, 20 Jun 2009 21:14:44 +0000

Do you use SQL and free format RPG independently but haven't really put the two together yet? If so then this article is for you.

Executing SQL statements in free format RPG may be a lot easier than you think. Doing so can streamline and speed up your legacy code.

Example of a simple select (to conditionally retrieve a field):

c/free

//comment - get employee by company and last name

exec sql

select empno into :wkempno

from datalib/empf

where empco# = '100' and

(lastnam = 'LeMaster' or lastnam = 'Lemaster');

/end-free

Example two: Reading through a file using fetch cursor in free format should look something like this:

c//declare cursor

c/exec sql declare Cursor1 cursor as

c+ (select empno as myemp#, count(*) as mycount

c+ from myfile

c+ group empno

c+ order by empno)

c/end-exec

c//open cursor

c/exec sql open Cursor1

c/end-exec

c/free

dow sqlcod = *zero;

/end-free

//fetch records

c/exec sql fetch Cursor1 into recno;

c/end-exec

/free

if sqlcod <> *zero;

iter;

endif;

//file processing statements added here

enddo;

/end-free

//close cursor

c/exec sql close Cursor1

c/end-exec

Conclusion: one should not avoid using SQL code in free format RPG IV as doing so can improve the efficiency of legacy programs.

ILE RPG programming tips and techniques: Comparing SQL DDL with DDS for creating files.

Sat, 20 Jun 2009 21:14:23 +0000

There is a movement that has been taking place for quite some time to persuade the IBM i community to use SQL DDL instead of the old standby DDS when creating files. SQL DDL refers to the SQL data definition language which is used in conjunction with the SQL data manipulation language. Data definition statements include CREATE, ALTER, and DROP. There are some sound reasons for consideration of IBM's suggestion to move towards DDL.

First and foremost, the main reason to move to DDL is the future IBM is planning involves enhancements to DDL, not DDS. Similarly, SQL is universally accepted and the learning curve should be fairly minor. Other reasons to make the move are also substantive. The differences in DDS and DDL with respect to accessing data with logical files, indexes, and views are also at the heart of this discussion.

As you know with DDS a logical is nothing more than a source member with a key list for retrieving; viewing, joining, or updating, records in a particular order. You may already be familiar with the difficulties in creating complex join and combining physical views with logicals. Unlike DDS, DDL allows creating views over other views, the equivalent of logicals over other logicals, if you will.

In addition, DDL will allow creation of a column called the identity column that will keep a unique number that automatically increments by definition with no intervention required. SQL tables have had a unique row-id column for years so it's nice to finally get something similar on the System i. DDL also allows creating views over resultant fields, selecting data based on the WHERE clause and even more complex nested SELECT statements. Often, newly created DDL files can be accessed by existing RPG IV with native I/O requiring no changes to the program.

For a quick refresher here's an example of creating a new table, a view, and an index:
CREATE TABLE EMP001 AS SELECT * FROM EMPLOYEE WHERE ACT='1' and LOC = '001'
Fields can be explicitly defined by the CREATE statement which can also use a field reference file. Fields can be defined as primary keys, variable character fields, null or not null, dates, Long fields, currency, yes/no, embedded objects, or hyperlinks.

A view represents the results of a query:
CREATE VIEW EMPV001 AS SELECT * FROM EMPLOYEE WHERE ACT='1' and STATPROV='KY'

An index is similar to a logical file in that it becomes a separate object once created and allows retrieval based on key fields. The first index example allows duplicate records (same empno) while the second does not.
CREATE INDEX EMPI001 on EMP001 (empno)
CREATE UNIQUE INDEX EMPI002 on EMP001 (empno)

Performance appears to be another area that favors DDL over DDS, albeit only slightly and on a case-by-case basis. Retrofitting your programs to use DDL will sometimes mean changing native I/O to embedded SQL. Retrofitting can be automated but at some expense. Of course it will be expensive to devote a lot of programmer time to manually retrofit SQL into legacy code.

IBM provides an API, namely QSQGNDDL, to generate a SQL DDL source member from an existing object and also allows generating DDL using the Operations Navigator. From the iSeries Navigator select the appropriate connection, open Databases, open the System i folder, open Schemas, open the appropriate library, find the Table object and right-click and select "generate SQL...". The output can be sent to an SQL editor window or to the System i source file. Note that this will work even for objects without source code. Once the DDL is created in the source library the file is created with the command RUNSQLSTM, instead of CRTPF, CRTLF.

Currently it seems creating new files with DDL would be prudent for most installations. However, doing a major rewrite should only be considered after careful consideration of the scope of such a task. There is a free diagnostic reporting tool from one company, Xcase, which also happens to sell a tool for retrofitting DDS to DDL.

Conclusion:
The "worth it or not" discussion rages on but there can be no debate that the direction IBM is taking (for now) is to move toward standardization with SQL DDL when creating files. The "good ole" days of DDS are numbered. Now is the perfect time to brush up on your basic SQL skills but be wary of jumping into a large retrofitting project. Rather, review the methods that IBM provides and determine if the time required is worth the benefit. You can easily get started by creating your new logicals using SQL DDL. For now, DDL and DDS can co-exist and you can tweak your programming standards to become more DDL compliant.

There will undoubtedly be those that claim "If it ain't broke don't fix it...." but if we all thought like that we might still be sitting in caves rubbing rocks and sticks together. Hmmmmm... on second thought, maybe, Nah... that wouldn't be much fun.

ILE RPG programming tips and techniques: Coding without indicators

Sat, 20 Jun 2009 21:14:03 +0000

If you have spent any time changing the way your RPG programs process indicators, for example changing If *in99 = *on or If *in99 = '1' to simply If *in99 (all three statements evaluate the same to either 'true' or 'false') you may want to consider completely removing the indicators as a better use of your time. The reason is that indicators are inherently inefficient and are fast becoming obsolete in the grand scheme of things (read: IBM and the future).

One might ask if a program is working fine why is there any need to change. Well, if free format RPG is in your future this might force a reevaluation as indicators are rarely needed and most often they are not even allowed. Also, the indicators cut down on the readability of your code for any other person who might have to read it. The real question is why use the indicator in the first place? Was the indicator the result of an I/O operation? With RPG IV there is no need for I/O indicators since we can use built-in functions %found and %eof, or with an extender, %status)

Instead of using *in99 after a read or chain, use %found, or 'not %found'.

// use of bifs to eliminate indicators
Chain mykey myfile
if %found
..etc.

Or if you need to check for locking
// use of bif and extender to check record lock status
Chain(E) mykey myfile
if %status = 01218
..etc.

Another example is a READ loop that exits when end-of-file is reached;
READ myfile
DOW not %eof(myfile)
...etc.
READ myfile
ENDDO

Display files have always been a place where programmers tend to use a lot of indicators. This can be somewhat circumvented by naming indicators in the D specs by using field names defined as type 'N' fields which correspond with function keys pressed. Here are a couple of methods to accomplish naming display file indicators; Mapping Indicators to Names

If your legacy code contains indicators U1-U8 you might need to leave them or treat them as a special case. Similarly *INLR will still be valid in your code.

Conclusion:
By spending a little time removing indicators, and learning to code without them, RPG IV code can become more efficient and less cluttered. You will be making yourself ready for using more free format RPG. Future generations will exalt your efforts and put your name up in lights. Well, that last statement might have been a slight exaggeration.

Confessions of an iSeries Priest: IBM PE's seven PTFs for V5R4.

Sat, 20 Jun 2009 20:56:57 +0000

While my pastoral duties at this community are normally rather dull, my favorite activity is working with the most holy code (i5/OS) and PTFs (Parchment Temporary Fixes). I especially love it when I find an error in the code that causes the cardinals and bishops in Rochester to do something drastic.

A couple months ago, as part of a HIPER recommendation, we installed PTF 5722SS1-SI34484. The following Monday morning the BACKUP job was looping forever waiting for an HTTP server job to end. We didn't associate it with the PTF right away because this isn't the first time the backup got held up by something like this. By the time we'd figured out that this was a trend we'd already installed another HIPER recommendation, PTF 5722SS1-SI34576, which superceded the one installed previously.

So we were now stuck in an untenable situation. We couldn't remove the PTF and we didn't want to reload the O/S. Being in this kind of pickle can really focus the mind. I ended up writing a program that detected these zombie HTTP server jobs and killed them with ENDJOBABN.

The minions of our Lord Ib'm eventually discovered that a thread in the HTTP job was prematurely destroying the list of open files. The job would then sit there forever waiting of the files to close not knowing that that list was gone. In the end they had to PE a bunch of PTF's and since two of them were HIPER recommendations the fixing PTF (SI35317) was also made a HIPER.

Final tally was seven PE'ed PTFs and one HIPER, all from one PMR.

System i5 New Generation Computing: Is TigerDirect coining it in 1c at a time?

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 23:41:16 +0000

I was just going through my charges for my credit card and found a small and somewhat insignificant error, that is until you consider this could be happening to thousands of clients every day. Every order I have placed last month has been incremented by 1 cent when I check the invoice with my Credit [...]

The Burns iBlog: More benefits of Rational Developer for i

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 14:47:00 +0000

As we continue to explore the merits of Rational Developer for i, one of the handy features (at least from your boss's perspective) is the ability to develop offline. In RDi, you may create any number of containers known as iProjects. These are created from within Remote Systems Explorer by clicking File, New, Project and IBM i Project (which you may have to drill down to). Any source physical file and/or any of the members contained within may be downloaded to an iProject by simply right clicking on it and selecting "Add to iProject". Choose your desired iProject and the source is magically downloaded to your hard drive. The iProjects themselves are simply folders contained within your Windows Documents and Settings directory, buried inside the IBM folder tree.

The Projects perspective allows you to navigate through your locally stored iProjects, much like RSE allows you to navigate libraries and files contained on System i. The big difference is that you need not be connected to your System i. You can be at 33,000 feet and still writing code instead of just reading SkyMall magazine and munching on oversalted peanuts. The LPEX editor will not care - it will provide the same syntax checking and outline capabilities you'd have in your cubicle.

Of course, one thing you cannot do is compile. Sorry, but the compiler exists only on System i. Don't expect that to ever change. However, RSE does allow you to verify your source code, which is the next best thing. Problem is, what about all those externally described data and device files that the compiler ever so nicely imports for you? IBM thought of that, fortunately. Any physical or device file object in your Remote Systems pane or Table View can be right clicked on and selected for "Cache File Descriptions". This little gem will import all record layouts in a manner which is friendly to the source code verifier. So while we can't compile and test from the road, we can at least do the majority of our coding and get those pedantic syntax errors cleaned up before we start chewing up CPU cycles with the host compilers.

After you've arrived safely back at the orifice, right click on any iProject or any of the components contained within, then select Remote Actions and Push Changes to update your source to System i. Naturally, the larger your programming staff, the more complex the issue of change management and version control gets, so most of the vendors in this arena provide plug-in products for RDi to officiate this more effectively. Rational has their own offering, known as Team Concert for i, although it is still in its infancy.

So would you consider cranking out RPG once the captain has turned off the seat belt sign ?

Thanks for sharing. Chris.

Angus the iT chap: Hide, you bastards, hide!

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 09:26:12 +0000

Forums and blogs on the internet provide a means for people to offer their opinions in one form or another. Some people have the balls to have a blog that speaks their mind, and for which they take responsibility. Others do it with a pseudonym (er…. yeah), some of which are transparent (you know who I am), and some are hidden behind a fake identity for some kind of protection. The excuses range from “I don’t want my boss/company/spouse to know” to “I don’t care”.

There are other people who hide behind a fake identity and have no balls to write their own blogs, but simply troll other blogs or articles and comment (a verb?) their opinion from behind that fake identity. These people tend to miss some interesting and obvious facts, but of course, it does not really matter, they are protected behind their chicken coop walls, sprouting their pseudo-opinions.

Take for example, the recent Maxed Out article about Japanese iVendors starting a push to market the i themselves. Up popped a pseudo-opinion that claimed “IBM’s i is dead”. The irony of a claim that ~x~ is dead on a forum/article that is geared towards ~x~ was not lost on me, and I responded. Of course, my response was ignored and further psuedo-opinions were offered later in the thread, with a bunch of ’statistics’, none of which are verified or have sources. I guess if you are willing to hide your identity, then you can hide the truth by making some up.

I have recently been studying ‘Logical Fallacies’. The Skeptics Guide to the Universe says “A logical fallacy is a false or incorrect logical principle. An argument that is based upon a logical fallacy is therefore not valid.” My favorite logical fallacy is ‘Ad hominem’: An ad hominem argument is any that attempts to counter anothers claims or conclusions by attacking the person, rather than addressing the argument itself. I may even be indulging in this blog entry!

While logical fallacy is used regularly on forums, blogs and comments, most people continue to indulge. Separating the debate from the fallacy can sometimes be difficult. It might be simpler if there were internet police! Of course, this would mean restriction of free speech, and while I sometimes find I want to edit or remove comments from forums I manage, it becomes very obvious very quickly as to who has something valuable to say. The most difficult part then, is weeding out the noise.

A discussion on a LinkedIn forum to which I belong is another example of noise generation. A commenter, who obviously has passion for the topic, posted strong opinion. My responses were as strong, but opposing theirs. And then they disappeared. In this instance, the reply was not pseudo-opinion, and the poster was not hiding their identity. There are many reasons for a lack of response from someone on a forum. I have sporadic access to the internet this week, and have not been able to be as active in some places as usual. Yet, it seems that most non-responders hide for other reasons.

In this particular case, I was disappointed at the lack of response. In the past, such strong opinion has offended, causing responders to lash out, hide, or both. Often the hastily produced opinion is full of emotion, and not well thought out, and cannot be supported any longer. Yet in debate, acknowledgement of an error or acknowledgement of an opposing point of view is straightforward, and can move the debate along. The wonderful world of forums and blogs provides us with a means to run, without completion of the discussion.

I pledge that I will continue to check myself for misuse of logical fallacy, will offer correction when I am wrong, and work towards a completion of an intelligent debate. Feel free to identify when I leave something unfin

Planet i Blog: Changes for 15 June 2009

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 17:25:38 +0000

Added My Midrange Meddle
Added ILE RPG programming tips and techniques

iDevelop: Japanese Imports and a New Role for COMMON?

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 15:33:07 +0000

We've written a lot about the future of the IBM i community in recent posts--and this one is no exception. We hadn't planned to return...

RPG Cafe: SQL Tools and RDi

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 12:57:59 +0000

We get a lot of questions about SQL tools and Rational Developer for i (RDi). While we didn't ship the Eclipse Data Tools Platform (SQL tooling) in RDi 7.1 or 7.5, they can be added in after the fact. This is one of the great advantages of an extensible, integrated development environment like Eclipse (which RDi is built on top of). Dmitry Baev, one of the RDi developers, has a new article published in IBM Systems Magazine on Using the Eclipse Data Tools Platform and SQL Tools with RDi.

System i5 New Generation Computing: IFS paths and some interesting points.

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 17:50:53 +0000

As part of building of a process to replicate changes to IFS objects outside of the Journal environment we have today we came across a couple of interesting points. 1. The maximum path size defined for an Audit Journal entry is 5002 (this includes 2 bytes which are the length of the path) 2. The maximum length [...]

System i5 New Generation Computing: Object Auditing Attribute for Directories

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 17:30:46 +0000

The IFS replication process is going along pretty well and we have a number of new features in test which should make the final implementation of a real time replication process pretty good. One of the problems we faced was how to ensure the object auditing values were correctly set for all objects below a [...]

iSeries Redbooks: Journaling - Common Remote Journal Questions

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 13:30:00 +0000

Technote, published: Fri, 12 Jun 2009

Remote journal users often have questions about their remote journal environments.

Angus the iT chap: Abysmality

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 22:51:37 +0000

Today, I was told that due to IBM’s “abysmal marketing”, our platform was suffering. On top of that, said critic went on to tell me that he no longer had any loyalty to the IBM brand. In addition to my frustration, I became quite animated in my response. Yet, he really did not deserve my passion.

The photo for this blog entry was one I took at COMMON a couple of years ago. One of the attendees, a formidable RPG programmer in his time, had stolen some time in an almost secret place, to have a quick snooze. This tired and worn out programmer came to mind today while I listened to the ranting of the IBM critic. There are so many of our community who are just going through the motions of their job, waiting for their retirement, or their firing. In an earlier post titled Narrowosity, I proposed that we recognize the business acumen of the long-time RPG programmer, and transfer that knowledge to the youth of our community - those with enthusiasm, vigor and a willingness to learn.

Today’s conversation was all about brick walls. The critic had something negative to say about everything IBM had done in recent years. And, upon some digging, I discovered it was all about the fact that IBM had not done things the way he thought it should happen - hence, everything IBM had done was ‘wrong’. I asked him this specifically - did he think IBM’s marketing was abysmal because he had not seen it? His answer was affirmative. Digging further, I asked if he thought he considered himself a demographic to which IBM should market? He admitted that IBM should not be marketing to him, and I suggested his reasoning of why IBM marketing was abysmal was based on a flawed premise.

We discussed his perception that IBM had changed the name too many times. I mentioned the new Power Systems servers being a merger of i and p - not just a name change - and he spat back with an interesting question. How was he supposed to know about that? At that moment, I realized the futility of my defense of the platform. If he was not willing to stay abreast of the industry which provided his livelihood, then he truly had signed out, and was waiting for the terminal to be switched off. I had no business in dragging him back to a reality from which he had escaped.

I was interviewed for a recent article, in which many questions were raised on how to maintain your career and keep your job in these ‘troubling’ economic times. Of course, the most simple solution is to spread confidence wherever you go, but getting over your own negativity is a hurdle most people are unwilling to jump.

After reading the article, I reconnected my thinking to my earlier idea that injecting enthusiasm into many people in our industry would be difficult. Certainly, there are many who have turned on the screen saver of negativity and hopelessness. But for those who are simply frustrated at the lack of positivity around them, I believe there is some hope. Mostly because, these people are geniuses at what they do, and need some connection to the passion of their own start in I.T.

It is a simple answer. Take one enthusiastic, upcoming developer. Find one iGenius with an outlook of despair and gloom. Call the latter a mentor, and connect the two. This equation will definitely result in one young improved business analyst iDeveloper. And maybe, just maybe, some of that enthusiasm and vigor will rub off on the iGenius. Who knows, they may stop saying “AS/400″!!

There may not be much time before all the iGeniuses actually retire, and we are left alone with the critics.

Get to it..

Domino Diva: Women in IT

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 22:01:56 +0000

Last evening I read a wonderful article about women in IT (Making the Climb Women in IT Team Up To Succeed). The article featured three different women and how they have been working to help other women succeed in IT. The three women are Carolyn Leighton, Dee Dee Lear, and Sandy Carter. Carolyn and Dee Dee made some great points that really struck me as I read the inserts about each of them. Carolyn Leighton is the founder of Women in Technology International (WITI). In the excerpt about her (Carolyn Leighton), she brought up a very critical point. Carolyn states "today our biggest obstacles to having women as CEOs is how women view themselves". This is so true. I was told by my family I couldn't go to college because I was a girl and didn't need to. I didn't believe that and therefore didn't let that stop me. In general, I have never let other people's perceptions of what their role of women in society is stop me from doing what I wanted to do and was interested in doing. Carolyn Leighton has started 6 companies, she clearly hasn't let her vision be stunted.

In the excerpt about Dee Dee Lear, she makes a very interesting observation. She talks about young women graduating from college now and states "They have an untainted view and they don't see the glass ceiling. It's the 'me generation'. This generation doesn't let the outside world determine who they'll be and they aren't intimidated. They've seen women as CEOs of large, worldwide Fortune 100 companies and women running for the highest political offices in their countries."

Sandy Carter has done some amazing things with the EXploring Interests in Technology and Engineering (EX.I.T.E) Camp for elementary girls. She explains in the article that in the first camp, zero of the 100 girls in the camp were interested in IT at the start of the camp. During the camp, the girls programmed a robot, created a Web site and pretended to be sales reps. At the end of the camp, 98 out of the 100 girls wanted to pursue a career in IT. This ties directly into Carolyn Leighton's point that the biggest obstacles women have today is how they view themselves.

I hope you enjoy reading the article as much as I did.