Coding
Structured Loops in CLLE (CLP For “Oldsters” :)
For many years we RPG coders were constantly reminded (pestered, really) about structured coding techniques. We were harassed about avoiding goto’s (an RPG II programmer’s best friend), replacing them with structured blocks (if, else, end, do, etc. – but don’t go too deep!) – and to emphasize subroutines (later functions and procedures). And while this […]
I am a Code Maker.
I’ve decided to re-brand what I do – and what I am – as “codemaker”. The term programmer conjures up images of a nerdy kid “hunching” over a keyboard attached to a desktop computer in his mama’s basement. Software developer sounds like more of the same, but with a product for sale at the end. Nobody knows […]
A Handy ‘Quick Query’ Command on the iSeries
Here’s a fun- and useful – little command you can create on the iSeries (or IBMi, AS400) in about 2 minutes. I usually create some version of this on every system I work on because I use it constantly. I’ll explain how below. First, the basics. The RUNQRY command can be used to run a […]
Word of the Day: User Story
A user story is a tool used in Agile software development (see definition below) to capture a description of a software feature from an end-user perspective. The user story describes the type of user, what they want and why. A user story helps to create a simplified description of a requirement. Agile software development is […]
Tips for Using Time Stamps in ILE RPG
Some notes regarding timestamps. Defining a Timestamp A timestamp is stored as a 26 character field. But, the system looks at it as a special data type and enforces the rules it has set up for timestamps. The format for a timestamp is is YYYY-MM-DD-HH.MM.SS.XXXXXX (Year-Month-Day-Hour.Minute.Second.Milliseconds). An example would be ‘2011-09-14-22.06.48.592000’ (Year: 2011 / Month: 09 […]
How to Colorize Your Source Code in SEU
Yes, I’m perfectly aware there are numerous advanced editors available that handle RPG and CL, and perform the syntax checking we are all familiar with using SEU. However, it’s not always possible to use RSE or the other editors in all situations. Some companies may not want 3rd party software and editors accessing their iSeries, […]
Cool preg_replace Solution
The situation: Read a product description from a product database. The problem: The block of text for the product description in the comma delimited file is not formatted, and in fact looks stripped of whatever formatting it had previously. Chunks of text squished together like “changes.Special” (no space after the period), and “Disc BrakeHeadset” (obviously […]
PHP/MYSQL String Tricks
Here’s a couple things I always forget. I’m adding them here so I’ll have them for future reference. How to “Scan and Replace” a String in MYSQL (Note the AS400-ish wording of that title). Big Note: Be very careful of serialized data!!!! Thanks to http://www.mydigitallife.info/how-to-find-and-replace-text-in-mysql-database-using-sql/ for these little pieces of code. The syntax of REPLACE is REPLACE(text_string, […]
Free Format RPG ILE Alternatives to the TIME Opcode
Here’s one of the free format BIFs I can never remember as far as syntax is concerned. Maybe if I keep it here I will be able to find it again :). I copied some of this from http://www.bmeyers.net/faqs/frequently-asked-questions/41-free-format-alternatives-to-time (the Q&A part). Q. In fixed format RPG IV, I used the TIME operation code to get the […]
Good Programmer, Bad Programmer
“My mind is clearer now. At last, all too well. I can see where we all soon will be”. – Judas in “Heaven on Their Minds” at the beginning of the rock opera “Jesus Christ Superstar”. “My mind is in darkness now…” – Judas toward the end of the musical, after the betrayal for the […]