RPG IV Programming - Online Course

This series introduces the users to RPG IV, the popular AS/400 and iSeries programming language. The users will learn about the history of the language, RPG IV specifications, file access and manipulation. After completing the courses in this series, the users will be able to write RPG IV programs using structured design and modular programming concepts.

This series is for programmers who will be writing programs in RPG IV. This online course contains 13 lessons and should take approximately 38 hours to complete.

Lesson 1: Introduction to RPG (3.0) hours

Introduction to RPG teaches you how to define terms used in RPG for accessing data, explain the use of programming specifications, and describe the program development cycle. This course provides an overview of the RPG programming language and general programming concepts needed to begin learning to program in RPG IV. Topics include History of RPG, Variables and Data, Programming, Beginning Program Entry, and Completing Program Entry and Testing.

Lesson 2: Getting Started with RPG (3.0) hours

Getting Started with RPG teaches you how to create a simple RPG program, use comments in an RPG program, and explain how to use output editing techniques. This course shows users how to write simple programs in RPG IV. Topics include Program File Specifications, Program Input Specifications, Program Output Specifications, Program Calculation Specifications, and RPG IV Output Editing.

Lesson 3: Defining Data (2.0) hours

Defining Data teaches you how to select the appropriate data type, distinguish among program variables, literals, and constants, and explain data structures. This course shows users how to define work fields, data structures, and other data items in RPG IV programs. Topics include Definition Specifications, Data Types and Constants, and Data Structures.

Lesson 4: Arithmetic Operations (3.0) hours

Arithmetic Operations teaches you how to use addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division in a program, create free-form arithmetic expressions, determine the correct size to store arithmetic results, apply concepts to an example program, use EVAL statements for character assignment and conversion, and use built-in functions, arithemtic operations and indicators. This course shows users how to perform arithmetic calculations in RPG IV programs. Topics include Numbers and Arithmetic, Defining Field Sizes, Example Program, Assignment and Conversion, and Functions, Operations, and Indicators.

Lesson 5: Flow of Control (3.0) hours

Flow of Control teaches you how to explain the use of loops, decision logic, and subroutines, and create a program that generates a report with subtotals. This course shows users how to write programs in RPG IV using top-down, structured design. Topics include Structured Program Design, SELECT and Iteration, Early Exits and Subroutines, and Creating a Report with Subtotals.

Lesson 6: Externally Described Files (3.0) hours

Externally Described Files teaches you how to distinguish among physical files, logical files, and field-reference files, describe the storage implications of numeric and character data types, and explain externally described printer files. This course shows users how to write programs in RPG IV to access AS/400 database files. Topics include Physical Files, Logical Files, Creating and Using Database Files, and Printer Files.

Lesson 7: File Access and Record Manipulation (3.0) hours

File Access and Record Manipulation teaches you how to distinguish between sequential and random input file access, identify I/O errors, and explain record-locking considerations in update procedures. This course shows users how to read, write, and update records in RPG IV programs. Topics include Sequential Input Access, Random Input Access, Output Access, and Handling I/O Errors.

Lesson 8: Interactive Applications (4.0) hours

Interactive Applications teaches you how to create display files to present interactive screens, identify DDS keywords, and read and write data files from interactive programs. This course shows users how to define display files and how to use them to develop interactive applications. Topics include Display Files, DDS Keywords, Data Validation and Indicators, and File Maintenance.

Lesson 9: Tables and Arrays (3.0) hours

Tables and Arrays teaches you how to create and access RPG IV tables, create and use multiple related tables for lookup, and create arrays and access array data. This course shows users how to create, store, and access tables, and how to define and use arrays. Topics include Using Tables, Using Related Tables, Defining Arrays, and Accessing Array Data.

Lesson 10: Modular Programming (3.0) hours

Modular Programming teaches you how to distinguish between dynamic and static binding, create programs that pass data, and explain the use of data areas. This course shows users how RPG IV programs can communicate with one another by passing data values. Topics include Introduction to Modular Programming, Data and Procedures, Prototypes and APIs, and Data Areas.

Lesson 11: Advanced Data Definition (4.0) hours

Advanced Data Definition teaches you how to create and use complex data structures, identify and handle runtime errors, and manipulate data fields and characters within data fields. This course shows users how to use a number of advanced RPG IV features to define data in ways that facilitate data manipulation. Topics include Data Types, LIKE and Data Structures, More Data Structures, Field Inspection, Character Field Inspection, and Field Character Manipulation.

Lesson 12: Advanced Techniques (2.0) hours

Advanced Techniques teaches you how to recognize subfile record formats, load a subfile all at once or a page at a time, and create online help for a program. This course shows users how to write RPG IV programs that use subfiles and online help. Topics include Interactive Programs, Loading the Subfile a Page at a Time, and Using Subfiles.

Lesson 13: Maintaining the Past (2.0) hours

Maintaining the Past teaches you how to distinguish between compatibility and conversion issues, identify obsolete features from RPG II and RPG III, and explain the fixed-logic cycle and use of indicators. This course shows users how to recognize features and operations used extensively in earlier versions of RPG that are now considered obsolete but still supported. Topics include RPG III Differences, More RPG III Differences, RPG II Initial Look, RPG II Differences, and More RPG II Differences.