Free-Format RPG IV: How to Bring Your RPG Programs Into the 21st Century (Paperback)

by Jim Martin (Author) "The RPG programming language has certainly come a long way since its introduction as a simple report program generator in the 1960s..." (more)
Key Phrases: indicator data type, operation extender, resulting character string, Address Line, Write Headings, Elseif Option (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
What could be more important than upgrading your RPG skills? Traditional fixed-format style RPG IV programmers everywhere are embracing the increased productivity, better readability, and easier program maintenance that comes with the free-format style of programming in RPG IV. This book, a "how-to" guide and the first of its kind, will provide you with concise and thorough information on this powerful new way of coding RPG IV.

Though free-format information is available in IBM manuals, it is not separated from everything else, thereby requiring hours of tedious research to track down the information you need. With this book, your search is over. Free-Format RPG IV is the "one-stop" resource that will save you time and frustration. In it, you'll find everything you need to know to write RPG IV in the free-format style.

Author Jim Martin not only teaches rules and syntax, but also explains how this new style of coding has the potential to improve overall programmer productivity—from initial development through maintenance. He methodically covers the "how to" involved in free-format RPG IV, including many style issues, such as named indicators and built-in functions. He also addresses input and output, program flow, data manipulation, and math operations. There is even a chapter on prototyping and APIs.

Free-Format RPG IV is the definitive guide on the topic and just what you need to get started with this exciting, powerful style of programming.

With Free-Format RPG IV you will:

- Learn not only the "how-to," but also the "why" of free-format RPG IV

- Acquire essential, free-format style tips to help you write good, maintainable code

- Find complete-program solutions for specific problems, including associated display and printer files

- Discover how upgrading your RPG skills to free-format can take your programming career to the next level.

About the Author
Jim Martin has a BS degree in mathematics and an MS in computer science. He was employed by IBM for 26 years, where he wrote RPG applications for customers and also worked in the programming laboratory as a programmer of portions of CPF and OS/400. After leaving IBM, he took post-graduate work in computer science and performed RPG training. He is an IBM-certified RPG IV developer.

Product Details

• Paperback: 216 pages
• Publisher: Mc Press; illustrated edition edition (August 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1583470557
• ISBN-13: 978-1583470558
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 7 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #377,639 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great RPG IV book, August 1, 2005

By	BT (Jefferson City, MO) - See all my reviews

This book has been a great help in switching our new development to free format. It is filled with coding examples that clearly illustrate the free format syntax. It also provides insight into good coding techniques. All in all, a great book for the modern RPG programmer.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Everything I expected, August 13, 2006

By	R. Chin - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is one of those examples of "all good things come in small packages". It is a very pleasant read and excellent for reference. Besides the free format syntax, the book also explains other things such as the use and syntax of Built In Functions and some aspects of ILE. Highly recommend this book to anybody thinking of using RPG Free.

5.0 out of 5 stars A great resource, September 30, 2008

By	M. Addington - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If your learning RPG Free-Format or trying to transition from RPGIV, this book is a great guide. It provides easy reading and simple examples. You will refer to this book over and over again.