23
Sat, Nov
1 New Articles
  1. You are here:  
  2. Home
  3. Programming
  4. SQL
  5. Partner TechTip: Working with Embedded SQL Is Error-Prone and Messy. Is There an Easier Way?

Partner TechTip: Working with Embedded SQL Is Error-Prone and Messy. Is There an Easier Way?

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

Coding SQL within RPG or Java is time-consuming and tedious, but what if you could automatically generate SQL for RPG or Java in seconds?

As System i programmers, we are being nudged, prodded, and goaded to use embedded SQL in our programs. Some of us have fully embraced embedded SQL, and some of us have used it reluctantly, but in either case, we can all agree on one thing: working with embedded SQL can be a hassle, especially when compared to good old SETLL, READ, and CHAIN. However, despite the tedious details, SQL provides power and flexibility that can never be matched with the old RPG op codes.

 

SQL(snap) eliminates the tediousness of embedded SQL and turns hours of tiresome coding into a few clicks.

 

With that in mind, let's review the steps for building an embedded SQL program, regardless of language.

 

Here's the old-fashioned way:

 

Build It Manually 

(Let's use a prepared statement since it's an SQL best practice.)

 

  1. Determine the query that you want to use in your program.
  2. Create a prepared statement object to process the query.
  3. Declare a cursor for the prepared statement object to iterate the result set.
  4. Open the cursor, passing runtime parameters to it.
  5. Fetch rows and iterate through the result set, executing your business steps.
  6. Close the cursor.

 

Oh, and let's not forget this part:

  1. Test the program.
  2. Fix the SQL issues.
  3. Test, fix, test, fix, test, fix, etc.

 

Here's an easier faster way:

 

Build It Automatically Using SQL(snap)

  1. Create and test your query using the SQL(snap) browser interface.
  2. Click to generate code that will work the first time in either RPG or Java.

 

If you're like most programmers, you've worked through the steps of the old-fashioned scenario many times. So now, let's take a look at an easier way using SQL(snap). Figure 1 below shows the SQL(snap) client.

 

111208ScottFigure1.jpg

Figure 1: This is the SQL(snap) client. (Click images to enlarge.)

 

Note that SQL(snap) allows you to execute SQL against any of your databases, including Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, MySQL, DB2, Postgre, and of course, DB2/400.

 

In Figure 2 below, I have selected the options to generate SQLRPGLE and Java based on the query also shown in Figure 2.

 

111208ScottFigure2.jpg

Figure 2: SQL(snap) allows you to generate code for RPGLE and Java.

 

In Figure 3 below, SQL(snap) allows you to copy the generated source code to a System i or to a spot on your network (in the case of Java).

 

111208ScottFigure3.jpg

Figure 3: Once the embedded RPG and/or Java code is generated, you can copy the source to the library and source file of your choosing.

 

So in just a few seconds, SQL(snap) has created a fully functional program--in both RPG and Java--that you can compile and run based on the above query. Here is a list of the code components that SQL(snap) did automatically:

 

  1. Generated a data structure to receive each row of the result set
  2. Turned the above SQL statement into an embedded SQL prepared statement
  3. Created a cursor object to iterate through the result set
  4. Opened the cursor with the appropriate variable parameters
  5. Created the looping logic to process the result set
  6. Closed the cursor

 

Your job now is to either place the generated code into one of your own programs or build your own business logic around the fully functional program that SQL(snap) just built for you.

 

Both RPG and Java provide powerful SQL implementations. Each offers tremendous flexibility and granularity for building embedded SQL code. Unfortunately, with greater flexibility comes greater complexity, which translates into time spent...lots of time. SQL(snap) gives you back that time and makes your programs easier to manage at the same time.

 

For a free 30-day trial of SQL(snap), a video demonstration, or a free whitepaper, visit http://www.pinchhittersolutions.com/. Pinch Hitter Solutions is located near Nashville, Tennessee, and can also be reached at 800.653.7404.

Scott Salisbury
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: