Who Should Use this Reference

This reference provides information about the ILE COBOL programming language on the IBM® i (formerly OS/400®) system. It is intended for people who have a basic understanding of data processing concepts and of the COBOL programming language.

Before using this reference, you should be familiar with certain IBM i system information:
  • You should be familiar with your display station (also known as a work station), and its controls. There are also some elements of its display and certain keys on the keyboard that are standard regardless of which software system is currently running at the display station, or which hardware system the display station is hooked up to. Some of these keys are:
    • Cursor movement keys
    • Command keys
    • Field exit keys
    • Insert and Delete keys
    • The Error Reset key
  • You should know how to operate your display station when it is attached to the IBM i system and running IBM i software. This means knowing about the IBM i operating system and the Control Language (CL) to do such things as:
    • Sign on and sign off the display station
    • Interact with displays
    • Use Help
    • Enter CL commands
    • Call utilities
    • Respond to messages

    To find out more about this operating system and its control language, refer to the CL and APIs section of the Programming category in the IBM i Information Center. You can also refer to the CL Programming publication.

  • You should be familiar with the Data Management topic in the Information Center, which provides detailed descriptions of the entries and keywords needed to describe database files and certain device files external to the user's program.
  • You should be familiar with the DDS Reference topic in the Information Center manual, which provides information on using data management support and allows an application to work with files.
    The manual includes information on:
    • Fundamental structure and concepts of data management support on the system
    • Data management support for display stations, printers, tapes, and diskettes, as well as spooling support
    • Overrides and file redirection (temporarily making changes to files when an application is run)
    • Copying files by using system commands to copy data from one place to another
    • Tailoring a system using double-byte data
  • You should know how to call and use certain utilities available on the IBM i system:
    • The screen design aid (SDA) is used to design and code displays. This information is contained in ADTS for AS/400: Screen Design Aid.
    • The source entry utility (SEU), is a full-screen editor you can use to enter and update your source and procedure members. This information is contained in ADTS for AS/400: Source Entry Utility.
    • The programming development manager (PDM) utility is a list-processing tool you can use to work with lists of libraries, objects, members, and user-defined options. This information is contained in ADTS/400: Programming Development Manager.
  • You should know how to use the application programming interfaces (APIs) provided with the IBM i operating system. This information is contained in the .
  • You should know how to interpret displayed and printed messages. This information is contained in the IBM Rational® Development Studio for i: ILE COBOL Programmer's Guide.
  • You should be familiar with the concepts and terminology of the Integrated Language Environment®. This information is contained in the ILE Concepts manual.