Doug Pence and Ron Hawkins have spent the last two decades accumulating tips, tools, and techniques that make RPG the best that it can be. From designing software to attaining maximum performance to using advanced problem-solving tools, this book presents a wide range of important topics. It offers in-depth, practical coverage of basic subjects--such as data structures, string handling, and subfiles--and also tackles the more intricate subject areas, such as APIs, prototyping, and journaling as a debugging tool. It covers built-in functions (BIFs), data types, and subprocedures. From coding to compiling, this book has tips for RPG programmers of every level.
This book is dedicated RPG IV Programming language and the AS/400 environment. The book includes over 60 compiled RPG IV listings documented with a line by line explanation of the instructions and or annotated comments. The author has included over 500 figures and he addresses other important AS/400 software with separate appendices for SEU, PDM, DFU, SDA and interactive debugging. Every chapter includes a summary, review questions, and programming assignments.
Application development is a key part of IBM® i businesses. The IBM i operating system is a modern, robust platform to create and develop applications. The RPG language has been around for a long time, but is still being transformed into a modern business language. This IBM Redbooks® publication is focused on helping the IBM i development community understand the modern RPG language. The world of application development has been rapidly changing over the past years. The good news is that IBM i has been changing right along with it, and has made significant changes to the RPG language. This book is intended to help developers understand what modern RPG looks like and how to move from older versions of RPG to a newer, modern version. Additionally, it covers the basics of Integrated Language Environment® (ILE), interfacing with many other languages, and the best tools for doing development on IBM i. Using modern tools, methodologies, and languages are key to continuing to stay relevant in today's world. Being able to find the right talent for your company is key to your continued success. Using the guidelines and principles in this book can help set you up to find that talent today and into the future. This publication is the result of work that was done by IBM, industry experts, business partners, and some of the original authors of the first edition of this book. This information is important not only for developers, but also business decision makers (CIO for example) to understand that the IBM i is not an 'old' system. IBM i has modern languages and tools. It is a matter of what you choose to do with the IBM i that defines its age.
Book & CD-ROM. This guide enables programmers to develop fully functional e-business solutions using nothing more than RPG and the web facilities already included in OS/400. The basics of HTML, JavaScript, and HTTP are covered first, then the book explores how to program RPG to drive the web applications users want to develop. Using the power and stability of the AS/400 and an existing knowledge of RPG, programmers can enhance their companys exposure and profitability by developing robust e-business solutions.The accompanying CD-ROM contains full source for examples given in the book, including binder language source for service programs; /COPY prototype source; DDS for physical files, logical files, and external data structure; HTML source and images; module source; and complete RPG source for all e-RPG programs.
Since its original publication, Programming in RPG IV has given thousands of students and professionals a strong foundation in the essentials of business programming featuring the newest incarnation of the RPG language: RPG IV. Now, the all-new Third Edition covers RPG IV as it exists in Version 5 -- a release that brings dramatic change to this popular programming language. The new free-format specification, the latest built-in functions, and more are all covered in this fully updated text (current to V5R2), complete with numerous programming examples and support material. Older programming styles and operations are now covered in sidebars, in support of programmers who are tasked with maintaining and/or updating "legacy" code. Focusing on real-world problems and down-to-earth solutions, this easy-to-understand textbook will help you master the latest techniques and features of RPG to make you stand out in the highly competitive iSeries employment market. The book is designed to give students a thorough understanding of how to use RPG IV effectively in a variety of practical applications. Students experience how to develop an application system of programs to meet the information-processing needs of three different companies. The scope of the book includes the development of RPG; top-down, structured design; RPG IV specifications, operations, and built-in functions; file definition, access, and manipulation; interactive applications; in-depth data definition, including RPG IV data types, tables, and arrays; and modular programming concepts. Seven appendixes supplement the material covered in the chapters, providing an indispensable summary of RPG IV specifications, keywords, edit codes, built-in functions, and operation codes; an RPG IV style guide; introductions to program development on the AS/400, the basics of SEU, and the process of debugging programs; the data file definitions for the assignments; and a summary of RPG's fixed-logic cycle and use of indicators -- components of older versions of RPG often encountered on the job in maintenance programming. A comprehensive glossary supports the topics and terminology presented throughout the book. If you've used Dr. Yaeger's RPG/400 textbook, Programming in RPG/400, you'll find the transition to this book painless. If you're a new user, you'll find that the book provides everything you need to know to write a well-designed RPG IV program. Each chapter builds on the previous ones and includes informative, easy-to-read explanations and examples as well as a section of questions, exercises, and programming assignments that reinforce the knowledge gained from the chapter and strengthen the groundwork for succeeding chapters. Book jacket.
What could be more important than upgrading your RPG skills? Traditional fixed-format style RPG IV programmers everywhere are embracing the increased productivity, better readability, and easier program maintenance that comes with the free-format style of programming in RPG IV. This book, a "how-to" guide and the first of its kind, will provide you with concise and thorough information on this powerful new way of coding RPG IV. Though free-format information is available in IBM manuals, it is not separated from everything else, thereby requiring hours of tedious research to track down the information you need. With this book, your search is over. Free-Format RPG IV is the "one-stop" resource that will save you time and frustration. In it, you'll find everything you need to know to write RPG IV in the free-format style. Author Jim Martin not only teaches rules and syntax, but also explains how this new style of coding has the potential to improve overall programmer productivity—from initial development through maintenance. He methodically covers the "how to" involved in free-format RPG IV, including many style issues, such as named indicators and built-in functions. He also addresses input and output, program flow, data manipulation, and math operations. There is even a chapter on prototyping and APIs. Free-Format RPG IV is the definitive guide on the topic and just what you need to get started with this exciting, powerful style of programming. With Free-Format RPG IV you will: - Learn not only the "how-to," but also the "why" of free-format RPG IV - Acquire essential, free-format style tips to help you write good, maintainable code - Find complete-program solutions for specific problems, including associated display and printer files - Discover how upgrading your RPG skills to free-format can take your programming career to the next level.
Here is the ultimate guide to writing RPG IV programs with functions in the free-format style. Let RPG expert and best-selling author Jim Martin show you the way. Want to generate a random number, manipulate a character string, or determine the number of elements in a data structure? There's a function for that. Jim will even show you how to write your own custom built-in functions (BIFs). In this book, you'll discover the role of functions in free-format RPG IV. Jim explains the details of built-in functions (BIFs) and explores the use of C language functions, do-it-yourself functions (subprocedures), and prototyping and procedure interfaces for function connectivity of RPG IV main procedures with subprocedures and other modules. Because functions rely heavily on ILE, the book examines those ILE concepts that connect the parts of a multi-functional program, such as binding, import/export of data, service programs, and binding directories. In addition, you'll find how to prototype IBM's APIs.
