Enhance IBM SQL Services to use better "list" parameter parsing

I’d like to request an enhancement to IBM i SQL Services to improve flexibility when passing multiple values to parameters that accept lists.

Currently, the following syntax does not work:

table(qsys2.active_job_info(subsystem_list_filter=>'QINTER, QBATCH, QCTL, qhttpsvr'))

However, the following DOES work:

table(qsys2.active_job_info(subsystem_list_filter=>'QINTER,QBATCH,QCTL,QHTTPSVR'))

While this behavior is consistent across IBM SQL Services, it creates unnecessary friction for users. The rigid formatting requirements force developers and end users to conform to specific input styles, leading to frequent errors and frustration.

Proposed Enhancement:

IBM SQL Services should be enhanced to accept multiple input styles for list-based parameters, including:

• Ignoring case sensitivity for names and reserved values. (this one applies to all parameters, not just multiple list entries)

• Allowing values to be separated by commas with or without spaces.

Why This Matters:

One of the key benefits of IBM SQL Services is to simplify access to system information—particularly as an alternative to calling IBM APIs directly, which are already known for their strict and rigid parameter handling. However, the current SQL function restrictions closely mirror these API limitations, negating much of the usability advantage SQL Services are supposed to provide.

As a result, many users are reverting back to CL commands because:

1. They are easier to learn and use
2. CL commands that accept list parameters allow one or more blanks between entries, and case sensitivity is ignored in 90% of cases. This aligns with what users are already accustomed to.

If SQL Services are to be the preferred method for accessing system data, they must be at least "nearly as user-friendly" as CL commands. By making input handling more flexible, IBM can improve adoption and ease of use, reducing user frustration and support overhead.

We believe this enhancement will significantly improve usability and encourage broader adoption of IBM i SQL Services. Thank you for your consideration.