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When a constant is defined in RPG, allow that constant to be used in embedded SQL statements so that the value of the constant does not have to be hard coded in the SQL statement.
Allow the constant to be referenced as if it were a program variable with a colon prefix.
Instead of doing ...
dcl-c MY_NAMED_CONSTANT const('X');
if someVar = MY_NAMED_CONSTANT;
// do something
endif;
exec sql
select * from myfile
where myfield = 'X';
... developers could do something like ...
exec sql
select * from myfile
where myfield = :MY_NAMED_CONSTANT;
General programming where constants are defined, often in copy source members, so that they do not have to be refined in programs using embedded SQL.
Allowing constants to be used can reduce application errors if the constant is changed but the embedded SQL statement is not.
Idea priority | Medium |
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This enhancement has been delivered at IBM i 7.3 and IBM i 7.4.
Get the latest Db2 PTF Group (SF99703 or SF99704) and use RPG constants in your Embedded SQL.
The COMMON Europe Advisory Council (CEAC) has reviewed this requirement and recommends that IBM view this as a MEDIUM priority requirement that should be addressed.
Most modern application is modular and programmer defines the constant global source file once and then includes it in various programs. To make it possible to utilise definitions in RPG both in RPG logic and embedded SQL logic/definitions this enhancement will make it easier to maintain applications.
Background: The CEAC members have a broad range of experience in working with small and medium-sized IBM i customers. CEAC has a crucial role in working with IBM i development to help assess the value and impact of individual RFEs on the broader IBM i community and has therefore reviewed your RFE.
To find out how CEAC help to shape the future of IBM i, see CEAC @ ibm.biz/BdYSYj and the article "The Five Hottest IBM i RFEs Of The Quarter" at ibm.biz/BdYSZT
Therese Eaton – CEAC Program Manager, IBM
The CAAC has reviewed this requirement and recommends that IBM view this as a “nice to have” low priority feature. The work-around exists -- but cleaner code would be good.
Background: The COMMON Americas Advisory Council (CAAC) members have a broad range of experience in working with small and medium-sized IBM i customers. CAAC has a key role in working with IBM i development to help assess the value and impact of individual RFEs on the broader IBM i community, and has therefore reviewed your RFE.
For more information about CAAC, see www.common.org/caac
For more details about CAAC's role with RFEs, see http://www.ibmsystemsmag.com/Blogs/i-Can/May-2017/COMMON-Americas-Advisory-Council-%28CAAC%29-and-RFEs/
Nancy Uthke-Schmucki - CAAC Program Manager
Due to processing by IBM, this request was reassigned to have the following updated attributes:
Brand - Servers and Systems Software
Product family - Power Systems
Product - IBM i
Component - Db2 for i
Operating system - IBM i
Source - None
For recording keeping, the previous attributes were:
Brand - Servers and Systems Software
Product family - Power Systems
Product - IBM i
Component - Languages - RPG
Operating system - IBM i
Source - None
Especially agree with this - "Allow the constant to be referenced as if it were a program variable with a colon prefix."
I concur, @NielsLiisberg.
I'll update the request.
However I don't like the const() syntax since it might be a UDFT. I suggest that the precompiler just allow :myconstant and do the math behind.