The RPG / RPGLE Training Course is designed to equip participants with the knowledge and hands-on skills required to develop, maintain, and modernize business applications on the IBM i (formerly AS/400).
Participants will learn both traditional RPG programming and modern RPG IV (RPGLE) techniques, including modular programming, integration with databases, and system-level operations. The course also introduces modernization approaches such as free-format RPG and integration with modern technologies.
This training is ideal for organizations maintaining legacy systems while transitioning toward modern, scalable architectures.
Duration 5 Days – 40 hrs.
Objectives
- Understand the architecture and environment of IBM i systems
- Write and maintain RPG and RPGLE programs
- Work with database files using DB2 for i
- Apply structured and modular programming techniques
- Develop free-format RPG programs
- Handle file processing, record-level access, and data manipulation
- Debug and optimize RPG applications
- Integrate RPG applications with modern systems and APIs
- Support legacy system modernization initiatives
Target Audience
- RPG Developers and Programmers
- IBM i / AS400 System Developers
- IT Professionals maintaining legacy systems
- Software Engineers transitioning to IBM i
- Application Support and Maintenance Teams
Prerequisites
- Basic programming knowledge (any language)
- Familiarity with databases and file handling concepts
- Exposure to IBM i environment (helpful but not required)
Course Outline
Module 1: Introduction to IBM i and RPG
- Overview of IBM i architecture
- Introduction to RPG, RPG III, and RPG IV (RPGLE)
- Development tools and environment
- Compilation and execution process
Module 2: RPG Programming Fundamentals
- RPG syntax and structure
- Data types and variables
- Control structures (IF, DO, SELECT)
- Input/Output operations
Module 3: Working with Database Files
- Introduction to DB2 for i
- File types (physical and logical files)
- Record-level access and file operations
- Data reading, writing, updating, and deleting
Module 4: RPGLE (RPG IV) Advanced Concepts
- Procedures and modular programming
- Service programs and binding directories
- Error handling and exception management
- Subfiles and user interface basics
Module 5: Free-Format RPG and Modern Development
- Fully free-format RPG syntax
- Code readability and best practices
- Integration with SQL (embedded SQL in RPG)
- Calling external programs and APIs
Module 6: Debugging and Performance Optimization
- Debugging tools and techniques
- Identifying and fixing runtime errors
- Performance tuning strategies
- Code optimization best practices
Module 7: Integration and Modernization Strategies
- Modernizing legacy RPG applications
- Web services and API integration
- Connecting RPG with modern front-end systems
- Migration considerations and hybrid architectures
Module 8: Hands-On Capstone Project
- Develop a complete RPGLE application
- Implement database integration and business logic
- Apply modular programming and free-format coding
- Debug, optimize, and present the solution

