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

SQL allows you to use wildcard characters with the LIKE operator to search a column for a pattern. As they say in the GEICO commercials, “Everybody knows that.” Well, did you know you can do the same thing in RPG programs?

If you’re not familiar with LIKE, read about it here. You can use the LIKE operator to find data with inexact matches. For instance, find all customers whose names contain “ACME”.

select * from cust
 where name like '%ACME%'

   ID  NAME
=====  ==========================================
19883  ACME 

In the first part of this series, I introduced several of the DB2 for i enhancements made in IBM i 7.1 Technology refresh 8 (and in IBM i 7.2).

These enhancements were of interest to developers and administrators. Likewise, this second set of enhancements we are about to review will be of interest to developers but may hold even greater interest for those in an administrative role.

QSYS2.GET_JOB_INFO enhancement

This DB2 for i service table function has two new enhancements:

1. The job parameter now accepts the special value ‘*’ to return information about the current job.

2. New

With remote monitoring and lights-out data centers, people think there isn’t a need for system operators any more. And they’re right-ish. There’s little need for low-skill operators whose main function is watching the system and printing reports. But IBM i operations work isn’t obsolete; it’s just changed into a systems management function. Given that, here’s my take on tasks a lower level IBM i system administrator can perform in 2015 and beyond.

Why You Need Day-To-Day IBM i Administrators

For IBM i shops, it’s important to define the difference between project management and day-to-day operations. IBM i project managers are