A trigger is a predefined event that runs automatically whenever a specified action is performed on a table. In the “smart reality” and “Internet of Things” times that we live in, it’s the database equivalent of the shower turning itself on (and at the right temperature) when you enter the bathtub. The fun part is that you can be very specific about what happens when that predefined event occurs.
By Rafael Victória-Pereira
Before getting into the details, let me just add that there are two types of triggers: those you might already be familiar with: high-level programming language (HLL) triggers, written in RPG or one of the other languages the IBM i supports natively, and SQL triggers. I’ll stick to the same guidelines followed thus far and will discuss only SQL triggers. It’s true that most of the stuff I’ll talk about can also be done in an RPG program. Sometimes, it might even be better to adapt an existing HLL program and link it to a trigger via the ADDPFTRG (Add Physical File Trigger) CL command, especially if complex code is involved. However, for certain tasks, an SQL-only approach is preferable for reasons of clarity and future maintenance.
Having said that, let’s dissect the definition with which this section started, starting with the “specified action” part.
Editor's Note: This article is excerpted from chapter 9 of SQL for IBM i: A Database Modernization Guide, by Rafael Victória-Pereira.
