21
Sat, Dec
3 New Articles
  1. You are here:  
  2. Home
  3. Programming
  4. RPG
  5. Tips and Techniques: Using LIKEDS

Tips and Techniques: Using LIKEDS

RPG
Typography
  • Smaller Small Medium Big Bigger
  • Default Helvetica Segoe Georgia Times

With the advent of OS/400 V5R1, we can use the new LIKEDS keyword on the RPG IV Definition specification to create data structures with the same set of subfields as a previously declared data structure. The LIKEDS keyword is used like this:

D CustAddr_T      DS                  
D  Custno                        7P 0 Inz
D  Addr1                        30A
D  City                         25A
D  State                         2A
       
D Contact         DS                  LikeDS(CustAddr_T)

The first line is the original data structure CUSTADDR_T. I've added an underscore followed by the letter "T" to indicate that this data structure is not being used in the program; rather, it is being used as a template or format to create other data structures.

The last line declares another data structure named CONTACT with the LIKEDS keyword. This new data structure contains the same subfields as the CUSTADDR_T data structure, with the same names.

When LIKEDS is used to declare a new data structure, the new data structure is automatically assigned the QUALIFIED attribute. So the subfields must be referenced using the qualified syntax, as follows:

C                   eval      Contact.Custno = 12345    

If the CUSTADDR_T data structure is nothing more than a template used to declare other data structures, then it might be useful to make that data structure a QUALIFIED data structure. That way, the data structure's subfield names will not collide with any other variable names you've already declared in your source member.

In addition, consider adding the BASED keyword to the data structure template. The BASED keyword causes the compiler to avoid declaring any storage for the field or data structure that uses it. If you add it to the data structure template, then it will not use up any storage. Here's the data structure template again, with both the QUALIFIED and BASED keywords specified.

D CustAddr_T      DS                  QUALIFIED BASED(@)
D  Custno                        7P 0 
D  Addr1                        30A
D  City                         25A
D  State                         2A

Note the "at" sign (@) in the BASED keyword. This symbol is a valid field name in RPG IV. However, it is being used here as an ad hoc pointer variable that is automatically declared by the compiler.

If you need to initialize the subfields of a data structure template, then you can't use the BASED keyword (you can't initialize storage that isn't there).

By default, data structures declared with the LIKEDS keyword do not inherit the initial values of the data structure template. The INZ keyword, however, has also been enhanced to allow you to inherit the initial values. To inherit the initial values of the based on data structure, specify the INZ keyword with a value of *LIKEDS, like so:

D Contact         DS                  LikeDS(CustAddr_T)
D                                     Inz(*LikeDS)

RPG World Is Coming Soon!

For more tips and information like this on RPG IV, join Bob Cozzi along with Jon Paris and Susan Gantner at the second RPG World Conference in Anaheim, November 10 to 12, 2003. Visit www.rpgworld.com for more information and to register.

Bob Cozzi has been programming in RPG since 1978. Since then, he has written many articles and several books, including The Modern RPG Language --the most widely used RPG reference manual in the world. Bob is also a very popular speaker at industry events such as RPG World (www.rpgworld.com) and is the author of his own Web site (www.rpgiv.com) and of the RPG ToolKit (www.rpgiv.com/toolkit), an add-on library for RPG IV programmers.

BLOG COMMENTS POWERED BY DISQUS

LATEST COMMENTS

Support MC Press Online

$

Book Reviews

Resource Center

  • SB Profound WC 5536 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. You can find Part 1 here. In Part 2 of our free Node.js Webinar Series, Brian May teaches you the different tooling options available for writing code, debugging, and using Git for version control. Brian will briefly discuss the different tools available, and demonstrate his preferred setup for Node development on IBM i or any platform. Attend this webinar to learn:

  • SB Profound WP 5539More than ever, there is a demand for IT to deliver innovation. Your IBM i has been an essential part of your business operations for years. However, your organization may struggle to maintain the current system and implement new projects. The thousands of customers we've worked with and surveyed state that expectations regarding the digital footprint and vision of the company are not aligned with the current IT environment.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT Generic IBM announced the E1080 servers using the latest Power10 processor in September 2021. The most powerful processor from IBM to date, Power10 is designed to handle the demands of doing business in today’s high-tech atmosphere, including running cloud applications, supporting big data, and managing AI workloads. But what does Power10 mean for your data center? In this recorded webinar, IBMers Dan Sundt and Dylan Boday join IBM Power Champion Tom Huntington for a discussion on why Power10 technology is the right strategic investment if you run IBM i, AIX, or Linux. In this action-packed hour, Tom will share trends from the IBM i and AIX user communities while Dan and Dylan dive into the tech specs for key hardware, including:

  • Magic MarkTRY the one package that solves all your document design and printing challenges on all your platforms. Produce bar code labels, electronic forms, ad hoc reports, and RFID tags – without programming! MarkMagic is the only document design and print solution that combines report writing, WYSIWYG label and forms design, and conditional printing in one integrated product. Make sure your data survives when catastrophe hits. Request your trial now!  Request Now.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericForms of ransomware has been around for over 30 years, and with more and more organizations suffering attacks each year, it continues to endure. What has made ransomware such a durable threat and what is the best way to combat it? In order to prevent ransomware, organizations must first understand how it works.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericIT security is a top priority for businesses around the world, but most IBM i pros don’t know where to begin—and most cybersecurity experts don’t know IBM i. In this session, Robin Tatam explores the business impact of lax IBM i security, the top vulnerabilities putting IBM i at risk, and the steps you can take to protect your organization. If you’re looking to avoid unexpected downtime or corrupted data, you don’t want to miss this session.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericCan you trust all of your users all of the time? A typical end user receives 16 malicious emails each month, but only 17 percent of these phishing campaigns are reported to IT. Once an attack is underway, most organizations won’t discover the breach until six months later. A staggering amount of damage can occur in that time. Despite these risks, 93 percent of organizations are leaving their IBM i systems vulnerable to cybercrime. In this on-demand webinar, IBM i security experts Robin Tatam and Sandi Moore will reveal:

  • FORTRA Disaster protection is vital to every business. Yet, it often consists of patched together procedures that are prone to error. From automatic backups to data encryption to media management, Robot automates the routine (yet often complex) tasks of iSeries backup and recovery, saving you time and money and making the process safer and more reliable. Automate your backups with the Robot Backup and Recovery Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAManaging messages on your IBM i can be more than a full-time job if you have to do it manually. Messages need a response and resources must be monitored—often over multiple systems and across platforms. How can you be sure you won’t miss important system events? Automate your message center with the Robot Message Management Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAThe thought of printing, distributing, and storing iSeries reports manually may reduce you to tears. Paper and labor costs associated with report generation can spiral out of control. Mountains of paper threaten to swamp your files. Robot automates report bursting, distribution, bundling, and archiving, and offers secure, selective online report viewing. Manage your reports with the Robot Report Management Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAFor over 30 years, Robot has been a leader in systems management for IBM i. With batch job creation and scheduling at its core, the Robot Job Scheduling Solution reduces the opportunity for human error and helps you maintain service levels, automating even the biggest, most complex runbooks. Manage your job schedule with the Robot Job Scheduling Solution. Key features include:

  • LANSA Business users want new applications now. Market and regulatory pressures require faster application updates and delivery into production. Your IBM i developers may be approaching retirement, and you see no sure way to fill their positions with experienced developers. In addition, you may be caught between maintaining your existing applications and the uncertainty of moving to something new.

  • LANSAWhen it comes to creating your business applications, there are hundreds of coding platforms and programming languages to choose from. These options range from very complex traditional programming languages to Low-Code platforms where sometimes no traditional coding experience is needed. Download our whitepaper, The Power of Writing Code in a Low-Code Solution, and:

  • LANSASupply Chain is becoming increasingly complex and unpredictable. From raw materials for manufacturing to food supply chains, the journey from source to production to delivery to consumers is marred with inefficiencies, manual processes, shortages, recalls, counterfeits, and scandals. In this webinar, we discuss how:

  • The MC Resource Centers bring you the widest selection of white papers, trial software, and on-demand webcasts for you to choose from. >> Review the list of White Papers, Trial Software or On-Demand Webcast at the MC Press Resource Center. >> Add the items to yru Cart and complet he checkout process and submit

  • Profound Logic 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.

  • SB Profound WC 5536Join us for this hour-long webcast that will explore:

  • 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: