Introduction to RDi Remote System Explorer

IBM has replaced the traditional IBM i development tools (PDM, SEU, etc.) with Rational Developer for i (RDi). This class shows you how to upgrade your skills from the traditional green screen tools to the new graphical development platform.

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It covers the Remote System Explorer, the LPEX editor, screen and design report tools, and the Debug perspective. You’ll learn how to connect RDi to your IBM i server, organize your development workbench, edit source members, execute server commands, compile programs, and debug programs.


Recommended schedule: 3 days (Optional topics will require an additional day.)

This class is presented live at your location, anywhere in the world, using your training/conference facilities.

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Who Should Attend
This class is for existing RPG IV programmers who want to understand how to use Rational Developer for i (RDi) to develop IBM i applications.


Prerequisites
In order to successfully complete this course, students should be familiar with the traditional application development tools, including PDM and SEU.

RDi must be installed on the students’ workstations before the class begins. If the product is not installed, the class will require an additional day (at additional cost).


What You Will Accomplish
At the end of the course, students will be able to:

  • Connect to the IBM i server using RDi
  • Organize and manage IBM i objects using Remote System Explorer
  • Create filters to customize the programmer’s workbench
  • Run server commands from Remote System Explorer
  • Create and edit source members using the LPEX editor
  • Use the RDi prompter
  • Analyze program structure using the Outline View
  • Compile programs from RDi
  • Debug programs using service entry points and the Debug perspective
  • Design screens and reports using RDi Screen Designer

What You Will Receive
Each student receives:

  • Custom printed handout, containing class notes
  • Completion certificate

Course Outline
The class covers these topics, with associated hands-on labs. (Click any topic for more details.)

Getting Started with Rational Developer for i (RDi)
  • Starting RDi and the Remote Systems Explorer (RSE)
    • Starting RDi
    • Working with the RSE Perspective
    • Configuring a Connection to the IBM i Server and Connecting
    • Viewing and Accessing Objects with RSE
  • Starting a 5250-Emulation Session
Editing Source Members
  • Opening Source Members in the Remote Systems Explorer (RSE)
    • Opening a Source Member
    • Opening a Second Source Member and Multiple Views
    • Using the Outline View
  • Working with the LPEX Editor
    • Changing Default Editor Settings
    • Autosave While Editing
    • Changing LPEX Editor Appearance
    • Changing LPEX Editor Key Behavior
    • Using SEU Commands in the Editor
    • Undo and Redo Operations
    • Invoking Language Sensitive Help
    • Finding and Replacing Text
    • Filtering Lines by String
    • Filtering Lines by Type
    • Searching Multiple Files
    • Comparing Files Using RSE
    • Checking Syntax
Verifying and Compiling Using Remote Systems Explorer
  • Verifying the Source
  • Compiling Source Remotely
  • Submitting IBM i Commands in the Object Table View
Advanced Topics
  • Customizing the Remote Systems Explorer (RSE) Perspective
    • More About RSE and Perspectives
    • Move a View
    • Resize the Outline View
    • Minimize a Set of Tabs
    • Close, Reopen and Add Other Views
    • Saving the Perspective
    • Resetting the Perspective
  • Expanding Files and Folders
  • Working with Filters
    • Using Predefined Filters
    • Creating a Library Filter
    • Creating an Object Filter
  • Working with Filter Pools
    • Showing Filter Pools
    • Creating a Filter Pool
    • Sharing Filter Pools
  • Working with User Actions
    • Creating a User Action
    • Creating User Actions for Jobs
  • Working with Compile Commands
    • Creating a Compile Command
  • Working with the Commands Subsystem
    • Using Predefined Command Sets
  • Using Run Configurations
    • Creating a New Run Configuration
Debugging
  • Introducing the Integrated IBM i Debugger
  • Starting a Debug Session Using a Service Entry Point
    • Changing the Update Production File Preference
    • Set Service Entry Breakpoint
    • Setting Breakpoints
    • Adding a Conditional Breakpoint
    • Monitoring Variables
    • Error Handling
    • Stepping into a Program
    • Listing Call Stack Entries
    • Setting Breakpoints in a Source Member
    • Removing a Breakpoint in a Source Member
    • Monitoring Variables in a Source Member
    • Adding a Memory Monitor
    • Setting Watch Breakpoints
    • Terminate a Debug Session
  • c) Debugging a Job
Screen Designer
  • Exploring the Screen Designer Perspective
    • Open a DDS Display File Member Using Remote Systems Explorer
    • The Views of the Screen Designer Perspective
    • The Outline View
    • The Properties View
  • The Screen Designer Editor
    • Design Page Screen Controls
    • Working with Screen Designer Screens
  • Creating New Record Formats
    • Creating a New Screen Designer Screen
    • Creating a New Standard Record Format
    • Adding Constants to the Record Format
    • Adding Named Fields to the Record
    • Adding More Fields
    • Compiling Your DDS
  • d) Creating a Subfile
    • Adding Fields/Columns to a Subfile
    • Adjusting the Subfile Control Record Properties
    • Hiding or Showing Records in the Design Area
    • Switching Between Multiple Records
    • Copy and Paste
    • Working with the Preview
    • Adding New Keywords
    • Creating the Display File
Report Designer
  • Creating a Printer File
    • Using the Field Table View
    • Creating a Printer File Member
    • Creating a New Record
    • Adding Content to the Record
    • Adding a Header Record
    • Adding a Record Containing the Data to Be Printed
    • Creating a Report View
    • Increasing the Number of Sample Records
    • Saving and Compiling
Working Offline (Optional, requires 4th day)
  • Using i Projects for Working Offline
    • Making Source Available Offline
    • Caching Reference Data
    • Editing Local Source Members in Disconnected Mode
    • Verifying RPG Source in Disconnected Mode
    • Compiling a Member
  • Working with i Projects
    • Creating a Scratch Library
    • Creating an i Project
    • Creating a Source File and a Source Member in an i Project
    • Importing Members into Your i Project
    • Selecting the Build Style
    • Submitting a Build
    • Showing Remote Objects
    • Filtering Out Remote Objects
    • Changing a Source Member and Submitting Another Build
Application Diagram Viewer (Optional, requires 4th day)
  • Introduction to Application Diagram Viewer
  • The Application Diagramming Environment
  • Creating a Source Call Diagram
    • Starting the Workbench
    • Creating an Application Diagram
    • Changing the Library List
    • Selecting Source Members and Creating the Diagram
    • Basic Navigation in an Application Diagram
  • Working with an Application Diagram
    • Navigating an Application Diagram Using the Outline View
    • Opening a Source File from an Application Diagram
    • Working with the Properties View
  • Creating a Program Structure Diagram
    • Creating a Filter in RSE
    • Creating the Diagram
    • Working with the Diagram
    • Working with Properties
    • Working with Diagram Views
  • Changing Application Diagrams
    • Annotating an Application Diagram
    • Creating a Stand-Alone Note
    • Creating Text
    • Changing Properties for Objects in Diagrams
    • Changing an Application Diagram’s Layout
  • Storing an Application Diagram for Future Use
    • Saving an Application Diagram for Re-Use
    • Saving a Diagram as a Text File
    • Saving a Diagram or Parts of a Diagram as an Image File
  • Printing an Application Diagram
Code Coverage (Optional., requires 4th day)
  • Launching Code Coverage
    • Setting a Service Entry Point
    • Editing Code Coverage Configurations
    • Running Code Coverage
  • Analyzing Code Coverage Reports
    • Viewing Code Coverage Results
    • Comparing Code Coverage Results
    • Merging Code Coverage Results
    • Export Code Coverage Results to PDF
    • Modules vs Files
    • Import and Export Code Coverage Results

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