June 6, 2018
June 6, 2018 | Volume 16 Issue 23
- LEAD ARTICLE: Practical SQL: More DB2 Services
- FEATURED ARTICLE: Training New RPG Developers
- FEATURED ARTICLE: ILE RPG Prototyping PrimerLE RPG Prototyping Primer
- NEWS HIGHLIGHT: Profound Logic Reveals A Major Update to Their Visual Designer at COMMON POWERUp18
- WEBCAST: IBM i Resources Retiring?
- FEATURED VIDEO: Design an Invoice in 10 Minutes
- EVENT: OCEAN TechCon18 - Modernize & Revitalize All Aspects of IT!

Practical SQL: More DB2 Services
IBM continues to add services to DB2, many of which provide programmatic access to system information.
By Joe Pluta
A couple of years ago, I wrote an article in which I introduced some DB2 services. This was early in the development cycle for these wonderful additions to the IBM i toolkit. In the ensuing years, that particular pouch of tools has grown to an entire rolling tool chest. More and more collections of important system data have been surfaced by DB2 services, and today I'll present a couple that I find extremely useful.

Training New RPG Developers
You’ve hired a developer new to IBM i and RPG. Now what?
By Brian May
I recently returned from speaking at COMMON’s PowerUp18 conference. It’s always nice to see old friends, make new ones, interact with customers, share knowledge, and learn a few things. I also presented to the IT Executive Conference, which was one of the highlights of my conference as not only did I get to speak to a great group of executives, I also presented on one of my favorite subjects: recruiting.
What to Do When Your AS/400 Talent Retires
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:
- Why IBM i skills depletion is a top concern
- How leading organizations are coping
- Where automation will make the biggest impact
Enjoy!
Download your copy today!
2019 State of IBM i Modernization
The annual Profound Logic ‘State of IBM i Modernization Survey” takes a look at the trends and attitudes that shape the IBM i modernization market. We reached out to the IBM i community, and the response was outstanding: close to 800 people, nearly 300 more than last year, took the survey. This enthusiasm resulted in very interesting findings for how businesses plan to use and modernize the platform in the coming year.
As you read through each section of the survey, you will see our summary of the results and suggestions for the future. We hope the survey will help your business better understand what is possible for your IBM i platform in the coming year.
Node Webinar Series Pt. 1: The World of Node.js on IBM i
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.
Part 1 will teach you what Node.js is, why it's a great option for IBM i shops, and how to take advantage of the ecosystem surrounding Node.
In addition to background information, our Director of Product Development Scott Klement will demonstrate applications that take advantage of the Node Package Manager (npm).
watch now!
What Most IBM i Shops Get Wrong About the IFS
Can 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 month 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:
- How phishing attacks are becoming more sophisticated
- Three little-known ways malicious programs can reach your IFS
- Why the IFS is IBM i’s “Typhoid Mary”
You’ll also learn why some of the most common malware solutions still leave IBM i systems vulnerable—and what you can do to protect your organization.
Easiest Way to Save Money? Stop Printing IBM i Reports
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ILE RPG Prototyping Primer
Get to know ILE RPG’s prototype structure—essential knowledge for anyone getting used to ILE’s modular approach
by David Shirey
Editor's Note: This article is excerpted from chapter 15 of 21st Century RPG: /Free, ILE, and MVC, by David Shirey.
Prototyping is a term that describes how modules are accessed within the ILE environment. The word prototype also refers to a particular D-spec structure that is required to support this call or access.