RPG is a time tested development language. Open Access for RPG is supported by IBM and IBM i as an integral component to expanding business value and success. looksoftware and RPG Pioneer Pascal Polverini amongst other platform experts have developed Open Display File Technology to power your mobile and application modernization efforts on IBM i. Navigate through the DB and Drag & Drop fields to directly design fields with their definition and also label onto the display in this episode.

1. The RPG Dude
and Open Display Files
Pascal Polverini
Take a seat while the meeting starts…
3
Drag & Drop
Reference Fields

2. RPG preamble
To design an interactive program you have to create
a display and then create a RPG pgm to reference it 1
You can use SDA, RDp or a third party tool to design
the display
You can use PDM or RDp to code the RPG
2
3

3. RPG preamble
To design the display:
• You can design a display within a 5250 environment
Or
• You can design a rich open display (mobile, browser,
desktop)
In 5250 environment, the design possibilities are limited
and a DDS format is directly produced for the display
description.
In open environment, the design possibilities are wider as
open formats can be used for the display description to
incorporate rich UI elements and capacities.

4. RPG preamble
Reference field in your display
5250
DSPF
Reference
Field
Field
definition
Open
DSPF
Reference
Field
Field
definition
and
description

5. RPG preamble
Reference field in your display
Open
DSPF
Reference
Field
Field
definition
and
description
RPG code
generated
Read ref_file
Chain ref_file

6. Now, let’s talk about
The RPG Dude
-
and particularly about
His Open display file perspective

7. The RPG Dude
You remember him…
Still the same with so
many applications to
maintain and to develop…

8. The RPG Dude
Here is his boss, who
adores references!!
In any field!

9. The RPG Dude
Now, our RPG Dude would
like to:
1. Navigate through the DB
2. And Drag & Drop fields…
…to directly design fields
with their definition and
also label onto the display.
!

10. The RPG Dude
All of this, without having
to distort reality…

11. The RPG Dude
Or to charm anyone…
This is not him?! Is this his sister?
Nope…but let’s say yes!

12. The RPG Dude
Could a solution exist?
Take a big breath!

13. Drag & Drop reffld
Navigate or select library/file then
get field and label or columns
heading with a simple Drag & Drop
Note that key fields are
marked in the DB ref!
Why?
You will see!
The RPG Dude

14. The RPG Dude
RPG code
All this code is
automatically generated?
Yes, and here you can see an
example of where the external DB
keys ref can be used!

15. The RPG Dude
And now, our RPG dude has a happy life.

16. The RPG Dude
“Thank you looksoftware!”
He just sent us a
postcard.

17. The RPG Dude
I am convinced this is a TV show
now!

18. Learn more about Open Display Files:
Learn about our solution with Open Display Files:
http://go.looksoftware.com/version-101-info-page-slideshare
Obtain a free assessment on your IBM i :
http://go.looksoftware.com/assessment-odf-slideshare