System i (AS/400, iSeries, i5) System Facilities

Course Details:

Course Outline:

This is a foundation course for new programmers to the system or anyone wanting a good understanding of the facilities the system offers. Delegates will create database files and add data to those files. Create basic CL programs and create basic menus. Delegates will be using PDM, SEU, DFU and SDA to carry out these, and other, tasks. Delegates will also be using tools such as Query, SQL, Navigator, copying files, copy database files to PC files etc.

Pre-requisites:

There are no specific prerequisites for this course but delegates should be computer literate.

Course content:

• Introduction to the system and how it has evolved
• Introduction to the key architectural features of the system
• Detail the integrated features of the operating system
• Detail how operating system release levels work
• Introduce the main licensed programs
• Create and manage objects and libraries
• How library lists work and how to change them
• Overview the Integrated File System (IFS)
• Use Control language (CL) commands and menus
• Detail jobs and job descriptions and how to change them
• Detail the flow of interactive and batch jobs through the system
• Detail how printing works
• Introduction to the key areas of security
• Create menus using Screen Design Aid (SDA)
• Use Program Development Manager (PDM) and create user defined options
• Use Source Entry Utility (SEU)
• Detail the DB2 Database concepts and commands
• Introduce and overview journaling
• The role of source files
• The role of physical and logical files
• Create Physical Files using Data Description Specification (DDS)
• Create Logical Files using DDS
• Use Data File Utility (DFU) to add, update and delete records in DB files
• Use Navigator to edit files
• Use the CPYF command and other CL commands to copy files
• Copy a DB file to a PC file from a command line
• Copy a DB file to a PC file using Navigator
• Introduce the Query licensed program and Interactive SQL
• Run a simple query and use the SQL SELECT statement
• Use SQL Assist to run the SELECT statement
• Demonstrate a display file
• Introduce program control structures
• How to pass parameters to a program
• Introduction to CL programming
• Types of CL programs
• Detail the structure of a CL program
• Use, and change variables in a CL program
• Pass parameters into a CL program
• How to write basic CL programs
• Using CL commands within a CL program
• Debugging CL programs
• Use message queues and message files
• Create message descriptions
• Send messages from a command line and within a CL program
• How to create user defined commands
• Use Navigator to manipulate objects/spooled files etc.

Follow on Courses:

We recommend that after a suitable period of time of attending this course (e.g. 3 to 6 months hands on experience) then delegates may want to enhance the knowledge they have gained on this course by attending one of the programming courses such as Program Design (ISPGD), CL Programming (ISCLP) or RPGIV (ISR4P), or one of the support courses such as Operations (ISOPS), Advanced Operations (ISOPA) depending on the delegates job role.

Schedule: