Introduction to the AS/400

AS/400 Mid-Range Operating System

AS/400 Market Niche

IBM Midrange computer that bridges the gap between Mainframes and PCs

Transaction Based Processor

Reliable

As powerful as a mainframe, but more cost effective

Industry Examples(See http://cs.senecac.on.ca/~ops234)

Manufacturing

Distribution

Retail

Entertainment

Construction

Banking

Pharmaceutical

Telecom

Medical

Automotive

Education

Microsoft!!!

AS/400 is:

»Multiuser

»Multitasking

OS400

Operating System

Object-Based

Types of Objects include: User Profiles– Job Queues– Files– Programs

Definitions

DOS/Unix Word AS/400 WordDirectory Library (all libraries at the same

level – no sub-libraries)File ObjectExecutable File Program ObjectDatabase File File ObjectSearch Path Library ListUser Account User ProfileVI Editor or NLED Source Entry Utility (SEU)Exit or ^D Signoff

Data Storage Heirarchy

Library

ObjectsMembers contain data - Files only

AS/400 Menu Driven

Create Library Command

Type option 4

Type Option 2

Type Option 2

Type in the Library Name

IBM AS/400 Help

Menu Driven

Field Level

Extended Help

Move the cursorto the Top Lineand Press F1

Extended Help(Command Help)

Move the cursorto a specific Fieldand Press F1

Field LevelHelp

Important Function Keys

Function Keys DescriptionF1 HelpF3 ExitF4 PromptF12 Cancel

Function Keys Cont’d

To Access F13 Type Shift+F1

To Access F24 Type Shift +F12

CL (Control Language)

• Language used to communicate with the AS/400

• English Based (Verbs & Nouns)

CRTLIB

LibraryCreate

Data Representation on the AS/400

• EBCDIC!

• Main Data Types Used are :– Alphanumeric– Signed or Zoned Integers– Packed Data Decimals