AS06: RPG IV Programming Fundamentals Workshop for IBM i
DURATION: 4 days
SCHEDULED DATES: TBD – Contact Us for more Information
PURPOSE
This course teaches the basics of the IBM i RPG IV programming language. It is the first of three courses that should be attended in sequence.
This course is a comprehensive exposure to the basic features and functions of RPG IV for Version 7. It does not introduce either information processing or programming in general. Students who are new to programming should attend other courses that are offered by local technical colleges or self-study methods.
This course is designed to enable a trained programmer to develop and maintain simple RPG IV programs written using the latest features and techniques available in the Version 7 compiler.
AUDIENCE
This course is the first in a series of three courses designed for programmers who are new to RPG IV. Basic programming experience is required. The student should have attended at least an introductory course to programming such as one of those available at technical colleges. The student is not taught the concepts of programming.
Experienced programmers who are new to the Power System with IBM i should also attend this course. Examples of other programming languages are BASIC, COBOL or RPG II.
This course is not designed for RPG III programmers who want to learn RPG IV. The Moving from RPG/400 to System i RPG IV course (OE85/OE850) is designed to satisfy this need, when it is available in your geography. This course is too basic for experienced RPG III programmers.
If OE85/OE850 is not offered in your geography, you should attend this course instead.
Notes:
The term RPG/400 refers to both System/38 RPG as well as IBM i (AS/400) RPG/400 (also known as RPG III).
This course focuses entirely on the features of the RPG IV Version 7 compiler and the techniques that this compiler provides. Features of V7 are discussed.
Previous techniques and the maintenance of programs written using legacy techniques, such as fixed format calculations, are not covered in the classroom. Some additional material and the bibliography will
assist the new RPG IV programmer in the maintenance of legacy applications.
PREREQUISITES
Before attending this course, the students should be able to:
• Use a Windows-based PC
• Run PC applications using menus, icons, toolbars, and so forth
• Write a simple program in another high-level language (for example, CL, COBOL, BASIC or RPG II)
• Use basic IBM i tools, including:
– CL commands
– Online Help
– WRKSPLF and related commands to manage output
– WRKJOB, DSPMSG, DSPJOB commands and so forth to perform basic problem determination
• Use and display IBM i print queues
• Use the Program Development Manager/source entry utility or the RSE/LPEX Editor to create and maintain DDS
• Create and maintain physical and logical files
Students must have attended these courses:
• Introduction to IBM i for New Users (OE98/OE980)
• System i Application Programming Facilities Workshop (OL49/OL490)
Attendance at IBM i RPG Development with Rational Developer for Power Systems Software V8 (RN500) is strongly recommended. Experience with Printer and Display files prior to attending this course is beneficial as well.
OBJECTIVES
After completing this course, you should be able to:
• Write RPG IV version 7 programs to produce reports
• Write simple RPG IV version 7 inquiry programs that interact with displays
• Review compilation listing, find and correct compilation errors
• Maintain existing applications written in the RPG IV (version 7) language
• Use the debugger tool to determine the cause of incorrect results
• Use many popular RPG IV built-in functions
CONTENTS
1. RPG IV introduction
2. Coding specifications for RPG IV
3. Data representation and definition
4. Manipulating data in calculations
5. Printing from an RPG IV program
6. Using the debugger
7. Structured programming and subroutines
8. Accessing the DB2 database using RPG IV
9. Coding inquiry programs
10. What’s next?
