The AS400 (AS/400) is a popular family of mid-sized computer systems which can also be used as multi-user computer systems. By this, we mean that a single computer can interact with more than one user at a time. It was first introduced by IBM on June 21st, 1988. The ‘AS’ stands for “Application System”.
The AS400 can be utilized for different business facets. Some models are designed as systems that provide resources to other computers, also known as a “server” in a network of computers, while others are set up for use with terminals or “display stations”.
A physical file is a database file that contains data records. The data records are grouped into physical file members and each member has its own access path to the data. Usually, database files have only one member which, by default, is added to the file when the file is created.
IBM Rational Developer for i is an Eclipse based IDE. Which provides an integrated development environment (IDE) to create, maintain and modernise applications on the IBM i platform. It integrates developer tools such as search, edit, build and analysis, refactoring capabilities and debuggers with the widely used Eclipse framework for faster, easier application development and […]
What is an AS400 command ? AS400 commands are CL (Control Language) commands. Most of them were written by IBM developers to perform system-level tasks like compiling programs, backing up data, changing system configurations, displaying system object details, or deleting them. Commands are not limited to systems-level concerns and can be drafted for user applications […]
To Create Printer output CRTPRTF , a program, OS/400 utility, or print-key function must write the output data to a printer file. A printer file is a type of device file that determines what attributes printed output will have.
Help Screen is a common type of information screen in AS400. it gives Help information about almost any kind of display. Suppose you were going to work with members using PDM (WRKMBRPDM) and were not sure what the parameter, “Member type” meant. you could place the cursor anywhere on the line for that parameter and […]
The current library (*CURLIB) is the first user library that is searched before the rest of the user libraries in the list when the system looks for an object. If a user does not specify a library name when requesting an operation on an object, the libraries in the library list are searched for the […]
The IBM AS/400 provides an integrated set of Application Development Tools (ADT) to design, develop and maintain applications. One such tool is the Programming Development Manager (PDM) that offers the following: Integrated application development environment. List-oriented selection of items for development or maintenance. Extendable interface to tools through user-defined options. Another tool is the Source […]
Programs are created from source statements. On the AS/400, source statements are entered using PDM, the Program Development manager. Technically, PDM uses the Source Entry Utility (SEU) as the editor. But you don’t have to think of SEU as something different from PDM. PDM provides a way to enter program source statements and then to […]
A library list is similar in concept to the “PATH” in Unix and MS-DOS. It specifies which libraries are to be searched and the order in which they are searched when the system looks for an object. A library list is identified by the value *LIBL. A default library list is automatically created by OS/400 […]
Although most system functions can be invoked directly by using CL commands, it is generally easier for novice users to take menu paths to describe the task to perform and then let the system choose for appropriate command. For example, let’s use the menu path to create a library. If you entered a 4 (for […]
The first time you log on to AS400 you will be forced to change password before continuing. The password is the security key that allows you to sign on the system. Later on when you want to change password, type CHGPWD on the command line and go through the same steps. Type CHGPWD on the […]
The 5250 terminal emulator, or green screen, is your interface when working with an AS/400. Here is its main menu. Here are some general guidelines about working with this screen: If you enter an illegal keystroke, a red XII appears, as shown in the screen above. Press the Ctrl key to clear it. To use function […]
If you aren’t familiar with the AS/400, don’t worry. It is a server and, like any server, you can configure it. You simply need to learn the basics of AS/400 syntax and AS/400 system architecture with respect to jargon in PCs. Understanding AS/400 syntax and jargon The AS/400 operating system is called OS/400. The version […]
User When we refer to a user, we mean any person who is signed on to the system. This may include students, programmers, data-entry personnel, operators, and administrators. To perform work on the AS/400, a user needs to be known to the system. A user becomes known to the system when a security officer or […]
Everything is an Object On many computing platforms everything is a file, but in contrast on the AS/400 everything is an object. AS/400 objects share similarities with objects in object-oriented programming, but there are differences as well. There are similarities in that when storage is allocated for something, that something is of a specific type, […]