Note: The code accompanying this article is available for download here.

Every once in a while I get an email from an SQL developer asking something like “What tool do you use to develop SQL routines on IBM i?” Astonished is the perfect verb to describe the reaction when I reply that I normally use STRSQL or Run SQL Scripts (in System i Navigator).

Equally apt descriptions are dumbfounded, perplexed, baffled, and flummoxed. If you’ve ever used SQL developer tools on other platforms, such as Microsoft’s SQL Server Management Studio, then the astonishment is quite

If you’re running IBM i 6.1 or later, you have a great alternative to spooled files at your disposal–PDF. Here are four easy ways to add PDF generation to your programming.

Method 1: Write directly to PDF.

You can make your RPG (or COBOL or whatever) programs write directly to PDF stream files. You’ll need to specify the proper values in the Create Printer File (CRTPRTF), Change Printer File (CHGPRTF), or Override with Printer File (OVRPRTF) commands:

• Device type (DEVTYPE) must be *AFPDS
• Workstation customizing object (WSCST) must be *PDF
• To stream file (TOSTMF) must have a valid directory or

I’m installing third-party software on my IBM i. The vendor documentation lists out the following IBM i licensed programs as pre-requisites for installation.

• 5722-SS1–OS/400 – Directory Services
• 5722-JV1–Java Developer Kit 1.5 or higher
• 5722-AC3–Crypto Access Provider 128-bit for AS/400

I can’t find any of these products in my IBM i licensed program list. How do I make sure I have these features? I’m running i 6.1.

–Steve

Because of the way IBM does things combined with some changes to the i operating system over the years, there’s some confusion as to where and how each of these products is included