Learn RPG4 with Real Code Examples
Updated Nov 27, 2025
Installation Setup
Install IBM i with RPG IV compiler (ILE RPG)
Configure library lists and development libraries
Set up SEU, RDi, VS Code + Code for IBM i
Create database files in Db2 for i
Prepare compile commands (CRTBNDRPG, CRTRPGMOD)
Environment Setup
Create development libraries
Install RDi or VS Code
Set up Source PF files
Configure ACS for DB access
Define binding directories
Config Files
RPGLE source (QRPGLESRC)
Binding directories
Db2 table definitions
CL scripts
Program descriptions (PGM/ SRVPGM)
Cli Commands
CRTBNDRPG
CRTRPGMOD
CRTSRVPGM
STRDBG
RUNSQLSTM
Internationalization
Supports EBCDIC and Unicode conversions
Locale-aware date/time formats
Db2 CCSID controls
Externalized message files
Encoding conversion APIs
Accessibility
Screen reader compatibility via 5250
Keyboard-only navigation
Fixed UI constraints
Text-mode accessibility
No modern UI enhancements directly in RPG
Ui Styling
5250 display files
Green-screen UIs
Basic menus and panels
No modern UI in RPG alone
UI handled via external web frameworks
State Management
State stored in Db2 records
Static variables in procedures
Activation-group lifecycle rules
Job-level variables
Commitment control for transactions
Data Management
Record-level I/O operations
Embedded SQL queries
Data structures for mapping fields
ETL with APIs or batch files
Journal-based tracking