Find the Length of a Character String in CL
Hey, Ted:

Numerous times over the years, I've seen this question: How can I find the length of the value in a CL variable? That is, how many characters are in a variable, ignoring trailing blanks? I needed the answer often enough myself that I created my own "clever" way to handle it years ago by creating a RTNLEN command. But I recently discovered an alternative that's been around forever. It uses a single command, RTVMSG, and it works for character variables up to 512 bytes long. READ MORE >

Bugged by the Interactive Debugger
Hey, Brian and Joey:

After having a problem attempting to use the Interactive Source Debugger (ISDB) to debug RPGLE and RPGSQLLE programs, I was so frustrated that I admit I punted. It was the first time I had tried to debug an RPGLE program I had written. When I attempted to start the ISDB debugger (using the STRISDB command), nothing happened. The STRISDB command wouldn't even open the program. READ MORE >

   Admin Alert: How to Change OS/400 Command Default Parameters
   by Joe Hertvik

A number of readers have recently written in and asked me how to change default parameters for OS/400 commands. While IBM does provide the Change Command Default command (CHGCMDDFT) for this purpose, there are a few wrinkles in the process that you need to understand to use CHGCMDDFT effectively. READ MORE >

Reader Feedback and Insights

We value your feedback and insights. Feel free to send a letter to the editor. Letters may be printed, unless otherwise specified, and edited for clarity or length. READ MORE >

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