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Tips and Techniques: API Prototypes Potpourri

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Late last month, a discussion ensued on some of the online email lists regarding IBM's apparent inability to ship the prototypes for OS/400 APIs in RPG IV source code form. After all, IBM ships them in C, the least-used language on the platform, so why not ship them for the most-used language as well?

As a result of this discussion, I decided to open up the source code for the API, C, and MI prototypes that I have created in conjunction with my RPG xTools product. The source code is available for free download. In addition, the download location is a place where other developers may post their own API prototypes in RPG IV syntax. So far, the response has been unbelievably good.

Live from the AS/400

This source is located on my own AS/400. When you click on any of the file names on the downloads page, a member list is generated and displayed in your Web browser. From that member list, you may click on any member name to download or view the source code. This is all live from my AS/400, so as I make additions or updates to the prototypes, you will have instant access to those additions and updates.

I've also included the RPG IV program that I use to generate the member lists, so you can "steal" that code as well.

This API Prototype project is ongoing, and you are all invited to contribute to it. Contributions are not required to download the existing API prototypes, however.

If you would like to contribute, please follow these simple rules:

  • IBM OS/400 APIs, C runtime functions, and MI instruction prototype source in RPG IV syntax are the only things accepted.
  • Name all parameters with meaningful names, using upper/lowercase letters.
  • Do not use anything except A-Z, a-z, 0-9, or the underscore (_) in any prototype or parameter names. Specifically, submissions using the pound sign (#), the "at" symbol (@), or the dollar sign ($) will not be accepted.
  • Please review what is already there and avoid sending in redundant entries.
  • Fixes are always welcome for any prototypes that you've noticed are incorrect.

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.

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 Cozzi on everything RPG! What more could you want?
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