Debugging a Batch Job

Q. Your RPG for RPG Programmers presentation covered the ILE debugger for interactive jobs. But I need to debug a batch program. Do I need a different debugger?

A. No. You can use the same ILE debugger to debug interactive or batch jobs, written in ILE or OPM languages. But there are a few extra steps to get the debugger started. Here’s a cheat sheet:

  • SBMJOB … HOLD(*YES)
  • STRSRVJOB JOB(jobnbr/user/jobnam)
  • STRDBG
    • When source is displayed, press F12
  • RLSJOB JOB(jobnbr/user/jobnam)
    • When Start Serviced Job display appears, press F10
  • When command entry display is shown, DSPMODSRC
    • When source is displayed, set a breakpoint, then press F12
    • When command entry display is shown, press F12
  • When Start Serviced Job display reappears, press Enter
    • Program will stop at breakpoint, and can be debugged interactively
  • After serviced job ends
    • ENDDBG
    • ENDSRVJOB