September 5, 2018

MC RPG Developer

Lead Article - Programming

Practical RPG: New RPG Features

With the speed IBM has been adding features, it's a good idea to get a recap once in a while.

By Joe Pluta

If you've been following my recent articles, you probably noticed I've been bouncing back and forth between RPG programming and SQL programming. My last article spent a lot of time on SQL. This one will focus on RPG. Specifically, I'd like to discuss a couple of the more-beneficial new features introduced into RPG ILE over the past few releases.

Feature Article - Programming

RPG Academy – Modernization: Is Restructuring the Database the Way to Go?

The IBM i has one of the best databases in the world. We’re just using it wrong.

By Rafael Victória-Pereira

Now that I have your attention (and possibly also a few angry comments), let me explain what I mean. It’s a fact that DB2 for i is one of the best databases in the world. This is not something that we just discovered; it’s something that most of us have known for years. However, the functionality provided by that database has evolved over the years, and most (I’d dare say, almost all) applications weren’t updated to make use of those changes. This wouldn’t be a problem if the data volume processed by the applications hadn’t changed. However, the ever-changing nature of business needs (and a little thing called the Internet) made sure that different data and, more importantly, more and more data storing and processing capacity is required to keep up with the competition. What happened in most shops? The systems’ hardware was upgraded, and more workers were hired…to keep doing things the same way!

White Papers

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Profound Logic Solution Guide

More than ever, there is a demand for IT to deliver innovation.

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Webcast

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Node Webinar Series Pt. 1: The World of Node.js on IBM i

Have you been wondering about Node.js? Our free Node.js Webinar Series takes you from total beginner to creating a fully-functional IBM i Node.js business application.

Part 1 will teach you what Node.js is, why it's a great option for IBM i shops, and how to take advantage of the ecosystem surrounding Node.

In addition to background information, our Director of Product Development Scott Klement will demonstrate applications that take advantage of the Node Package Manager (npm).



watch now!

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LANSA Webcast

Low Code: A Digital Transformation of Supply Chain and Logistics

Learn how businesses leverage Low-Code to continue to deliver value through digital transformation. Discover how the power of Low-Code is helping many businesses evolve their supply chain, increase ROI, and achieve more tangible results.

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Trial Software

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Feature Article - Programming

Embedding SQL in Your IBM i RPG Code

Fixed-format and ILE RPG programs can benefit from the use of SQL statements to improve IBM i database access

by Rafael Victória-Pereira

Editor’s Note: This article is excerpted from chapter 11 of Evolve Your RPG Coding: Move from OPM to ILE ... and Beyond, by Rafael Victória-Pereira.

It’s possible to embed SQL code in your RPG programs, allowing them to interact with massive quantities of data at a time, breaking the “process-a-record-at-a-time” RPG traditional approach. Don’t get me wrong—I’m not saying that you should change the way your programs interact with every single data interaction—but some of them could probably have their performance, readability, and reliability improved by SQL. SQL statements can be placed in detail calculations, in total calculations, and in RPG subroutines.

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  • Fortra IT managers hoping to find new IBM i talent are discovering that the pool of experienced RPG programmers and operators or administrators with intimate knowledge of the operating system and the applications that run on it is small. This begs the question: How will you manage the platform that supports such a big part of your business? This guide offers strategies and software suggestions to help you plan IT staffing and resources and smooth the transition after your AS/400 talent retires. Read on to learn: