Books by Bryan Meyers

Programming in RPG IV

Control Language Programming for IBM i

RPG IV Jump Start

Power Tips for RPG IV

VisualAge for RPG by Example

 
Introduction to RPG III Programming Print E-mail

This Introduction to RPG III Programming workshop presents RPG III (RPG/400) from start to finish. If you’re new to RPG III, this class is for you. It covers all the language’s specifications and structures. The material in this class will arm you with the skills and knowledge you’ll need to build basic RPG programs.

Recommended schedule: 4 days

Who Should Attend
This class is appropriate for programmers who need an introduction to the RPG III language syntax.

Prerequisites
No previous knowledge of RPG is required. In order to successfully complete this course, students should have completed the following course, or have equivalent knowledge/experience:

  • IBM i Concepts and Programming Tools

Previous knowledge of another computer language may be helpful.

This class provides the prerequisite knowledge and skills for the following classes:

  • RPG IV and the Integrated Language Environment
  • RPG IV Modules, Procedures & Service Programs

What You Will Accomplish
At the end of the course, students will be able to:

  • Recognize the various RPG IV specifications and their use in a program
  • Define work fields, arrays, data structures, and named constants
  • Recognize the data types supported by RPG III, and when to use them
  • Use externally described database files in a program
  • Build a simple interactive application
  • Perform program-to-program calls, passing parameters
  • Use data areas in a program
  • Handle errors that may occur during program execution
  • Understand the use and basic concepts associated with subfile programming

What You Will Receive
Each student receives:

  • Custom printed handout, containing class notes
  • Completion certificate

Course Outline
The class covers these topics:

  • RPG Background
  • Specification Overview
  • Externally Described Files
  • Defining Data
  • Defining Data Structures
  • Using Data Areas
  • Using Arithmetic Operations
  • Processing Character Data
  • Controlling Program Workflow
  • Using Arrays and Tables
  • File Access and Record Manipulation
  • Writing Interactive Applications
  • Calling Programs
  • Passing Parameters
  • Error Handling
  • Introduction to Subfiles

Hands-on Labs

  • Writing a basic report program
  • Using calculations
  • Using externally described files
  • File access and update
  • Writing an interactive application