02
Sat, Nov
2 New Articles

Tips and Techniques: Removing Unwanted Messages from the Joblog

CL
Typography
  • Smaller Small Medium Big Bigger
  • Default Helvetica Segoe Georgia Times

In the last issue, I published what's turned out to be probably the most popular utility program in the last 15 years, FTPSNDFILE. The last time I had a response like the one we had for FTPSNDFILE was way back in 1984 when I published the Display Database File (DSPDBF) command. That RPG III program allowed you to view and change any database file, and it supported character or hex display modes.

One problem with both of these utilities is that unwanted message in the joblog: "Buffer size greater than that of file XXXX in YYYY."

Often, this gives users the mistaken impression that the program had a problem. But it was simply reporting a condition, a condition that we should probably be able to filter out on a global or job-level basis. But as usual, we cannot. Use the command 10 times, and you get at least 10 of these goofy messages in your joblog.

So how do we get rid of them without adversely impacting the functionality of such utilities/commands?

The answer is in the QMHRMVPM (Remove Program Message) API, which removes messages from the program queue. This API has the following parameters that apply to our situation.

  • Call Stack Entry--The program whose message queue will have the message removed.
  • Call Stack Count--Relative invocation.
  • Message Key--The message key of the message to be moved.
  • Message to Remove--Classification of message to remove. Valid choices include*ALL (all messages in the message queue), *BYKEY (a single message specified in the message key parameter), *KEEPRQS (all messages in the message queue except request messages, e.g., commands), *NEW (all new messages in the message queue), or *OLD (all old messages in the message queue).

The QMHRMVPM API should be prototyped as follows:

 /INCLUDE QSYSINC/QRPGLESRC,QUSEC

 **  Remove Message from Program Queue API
D QmhRmvPM        PR                  ExtPgm('QMHRMVPM')
D CallStackEntry                64A   Const OPTIONS(*VARSIZE)
D CallStackCount                10I 0 Const
D MsgKey                         4A   Const
D MsgToRemove                   10A   Const
 /IF NOT DEFINED(*V5R1M0)
D ApiErrorDS                          Like(QUSEC)
 /ELSE
D ApiErrorDS                          LikeDS(QUSEC)
 /ENDIF

After the erroneous message is generated, call QMHRMVPM to remove it. If the message is generated in your RPG IV program, specify the following parameter values:

Parameter Values for QMHRMVPM
Parameter
Value to Specify
Description
Call Stack Entry
'*'
Indicates that "this" program (the API's caller) is the one whose message queue will have the message removed.
Call Stack Counter
0
Relative invocation is always zero, relative to the API's caller.
Message Key
Blanks
We're not deleting by message key, so we must pass in blanks for this parameter.
Messages to Remove
'*NEW'
The erroneous message will not yet be received and thus will be '*NEW'.
API Error Data Structure
QUSEC
Pass in the standard IBM API error DS.

The following example illustrates calling QMHRMVPM after opening a source file with a file record length different from the one declared in the program. The API removes the erroneous buffer-length mismatch message from the joblog.

C                   eval      QUSBPRV = %size(ApiError)
C                   eval      ApiError = QUSEC
C                   Callp     QMHRMVPM('*':0:'   ': 
C                                       '*NEW' : ApiError)

The first statement sets the size of the API error data structure to the actual length of the error data structure named QUSEC. This comes from the QUSEC in QRPGLESRC in QSYSINC. On the second statement, the data structure APIERROR has the content of the QUSEC data structure copied to it and is passed to the API. The third statement is the call to the API itself. To remove the last erroneous message, I call QMHRMVPM with the parameter values indicated above.

No longer do we need to live with erroneous messages in the joblog confusing users. Calling the QMHRMVPM API to delete them is relatively easy. Give it a try.

Bob Cozzi is a programmer/consultant, writer/author, and software developer. His popular RPG xTools add-on subprocedure library for RPG IV is fast becoming a standard with RPG developers. His book The Modern RPG Language has been the most widely used RPG programming book for more than a decade. He, along with others, speaks at and produces the highly popular RPG World conference for RPG programmers.

BOB COZZI

Bob Cozzi is a programmer/consultant, writer/author, and software developer. His popular RPG xTools add-on subprocedure library for RPG IV is fast becoming a standard with RPG developers. His book The Modern RPG Language has been the most widely used RPG programming book for more than a decade. He, along with others, speaks at and produces the highly popular RPG World conference for RPG programmers.


MC Press books written by Robert Cozzi available now on the MC Press Bookstore.

RPG TnT RPG TnT
Get this jam-packed resource of quick, easy-to-implement RPG tips!
List Price $65.00

Now On Sale

The Modern RPG IV Language The Modern RPG IV Language
Cozzi on everything RPG! What more could you want?
List Price $99.95

Now On Sale

BLOG COMMENTS POWERED BY DISQUS

LATEST COMMENTS

Support MC Press Online

$

Book Reviews

Resource Center

  • SB Profound WC 5536 Have you been wondering about Node.js? Our free Node.js Webinar Series takes you from total beginner to creating a fully-functional IBM i Node.js business application. You can find Part 1 here. In Part 2 of our free Node.js Webinar Series, Brian May teaches you the different tooling options available for writing code, debugging, and using Git for version control. Brian will briefly discuss the different tools available, and demonstrate his preferred setup for Node development on IBM i or any platform. Attend this webinar to learn:

  • SB Profound WP 5539More than ever, there is a demand for IT to deliver innovation. Your IBM i has been an essential part of your business operations for years. However, your organization may struggle to maintain the current system and implement new projects. The thousands of customers we've worked with and surveyed state that expectations regarding the digital footprint and vision of the company are not aligned with the current IT environment.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT Generic IBM announced the E1080 servers using the latest Power10 processor in September 2021. The most powerful processor from IBM to date, Power10 is designed to handle the demands of doing business in today’s high-tech atmosphere, including running cloud applications, supporting big data, and managing AI workloads. But what does Power10 mean for your data center? In this recorded webinar, IBMers Dan Sundt and Dylan Boday join IBM Power Champion Tom Huntington for a discussion on why Power10 technology is the right strategic investment if you run IBM i, AIX, or Linux. In this action-packed hour, Tom will share trends from the IBM i and AIX user communities while Dan and Dylan dive into the tech specs for key hardware, including:

  • Magic MarkTRY the one package that solves all your document design and printing challenges on all your platforms. Produce bar code labels, electronic forms, ad hoc reports, and RFID tags – without programming! MarkMagic is the only document design and print solution that combines report writing, WYSIWYG label and forms design, and conditional printing in one integrated product. Make sure your data survives when catastrophe hits. Request your trial now!  Request Now.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericForms of ransomware has been around for over 30 years, and with more and more organizations suffering attacks each year, it continues to endure. What has made ransomware such a durable threat and what is the best way to combat it? In order to prevent ransomware, organizations must first understand how it works.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericIT security is a top priority for businesses around the world, but most IBM i pros don’t know where to begin—and most cybersecurity experts don’t know IBM i. In this session, Robin Tatam explores the business impact of lax IBM i security, the top vulnerabilities putting IBM i at risk, and the steps you can take to protect your organization. If you’re looking to avoid unexpected downtime or corrupted data, you don’t want to miss this session.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericCan you trust all of your users all of the time? A typical end user receives 16 malicious emails each month, but only 17 percent of these phishing campaigns are reported to IT. Once an attack is underway, most organizations won’t discover the breach until six months later. A staggering amount of damage can occur in that time. Despite these risks, 93 percent of organizations are leaving their IBM i systems vulnerable to cybercrime. In this on-demand webinar, IBM i security experts Robin Tatam and Sandi Moore will reveal:

  • FORTRA Disaster protection is vital to every business. Yet, it often consists of patched together procedures that are prone to error. From automatic backups to data encryption to media management, Robot automates the routine (yet often complex) tasks of iSeries backup and recovery, saving you time and money and making the process safer and more reliable. Automate your backups with the Robot Backup and Recovery Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAManaging messages on your IBM i can be more than a full-time job if you have to do it manually. Messages need a response and resources must be monitored—often over multiple systems and across platforms. How can you be sure you won’t miss important system events? Automate your message center with the Robot Message Management Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAThe thought of printing, distributing, and storing iSeries reports manually may reduce you to tears. Paper and labor costs associated with report generation can spiral out of control. Mountains of paper threaten to swamp your files. Robot automates report bursting, distribution, bundling, and archiving, and offers secure, selective online report viewing. Manage your reports with the Robot Report Management Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAFor over 30 years, Robot has been a leader in systems management for IBM i. With batch job creation and scheduling at its core, the Robot Job Scheduling Solution reduces the opportunity for human error and helps you maintain service levels, automating even the biggest, most complex runbooks. Manage your job schedule with the Robot Job Scheduling Solution. Key features include:

  • LANSA Business users want new applications now. Market and regulatory pressures require faster application updates and delivery into production. Your IBM i developers may be approaching retirement, and you see no sure way to fill their positions with experienced developers. In addition, you may be caught between maintaining your existing applications and the uncertainty of moving to something new.

  • LANSAWhen it comes to creating your business applications, there are hundreds of coding platforms and programming languages to choose from. These options range from very complex traditional programming languages to Low-Code platforms where sometimes no traditional coding experience is needed. Download our whitepaper, The Power of Writing Code in a Low-Code Solution, and:

  • LANSASupply Chain is becoming increasingly complex and unpredictable. From raw materials for manufacturing to food supply chains, the journey from source to production to delivery to consumers is marred with inefficiencies, manual processes, shortages, recalls, counterfeits, and scandals. In this webinar, we discuss how:

  • The MC Resource Centers bring you the widest selection of white papers, trial software, and on-demand webcasts for you to choose from. >> Review the list of White Papers, Trial Software or On-Demand Webcast at the MC Press Resource Center. >> Add the items to yru Cart and complet he checkout process and submit

  • Profound Logic Have you been wondering about Node.js? Our free Node.js Webinar Series takes you from total beginner to creating a fully-functional IBM i Node.js business application.

  • SB Profound WC 5536Join us for this hour-long webcast that will explore:

  • Fortra IT managers hoping to find new IBM i talent are discovering that the pool of experienced RPG programmers and operators or administrators with intimate knowledge of the operating system and the applications that run on it is small. This begs the question: How will you manage the platform that supports such a big part of your business? This guide offers strategies and software suggestions to help you plan IT staffing and resources and smooth the transition after your AS/400 talent retires. Read on to learn: