Provide a fast way to list PRINTER FILE objects

The SQL statement using object_statistics took 4.32 minutes running on a Power10 with 6 active cores running V7R5, on the weekend. But I only got a list of the first 100 printer files in that #LIBRARY (why do people still have #LIBRARY on their systems!) 
So yes, it is a way to get a list, if you have nothing to do, and all day to do it.

Imagine in IBM BOB or VS CODE using CODE for IBM I generating a list of PRINTER FILE objects, or in my case, a list of *FILE OBJATTR('PRTF') in my own tools that use the QGYOLxxx APIs. 

Then there is the authorization issue. Many database files are restricted and end up issuign the NOT AUTHORIZED TO OBJECT xxxxxxxx/xxxxxxx *FILE which has to be addressed by the auditors. So there's that fun stuff to deal with.

Bottom line, while I realize that building a system-wide index over the object attribute is a relative non-trivial undertaking, it is necessary to move forward with modern development tools. 

HI Steve. Thanks for the tip. I have used that, but that interface produces a list of all *FILE objects on the system which I do not want to do. I want to generate a list by object attribute (e.g., PRTF) which is currently not possible without materializing all *FILE objects found in the search criteria. This is very slow for any Object Attribute (PF, LF, PRTF, DDMF, etc.) You first have to list "everything" and then go through that pile to find what you want.  There are potential security issues in doing that so I would prefer a fast way to go for the object by Object Attribute. Note this this is really only a problem for *FILE objects, not all objects, but I suppose an internal "index" by object type/attribute is necessary to make it fast vs just hiding the processes from the API caller. 

The CAAC has reviewed this IBM Idea and recommends that IBM not implement this request.

The example given above should fulfill this need.

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 IBM Ideas on the broader IBM i community and has therefore reviewed your Idea.

For more information about CAAC, see www.common.org/caac

Carmelita Ruvalcaba - CAAC Program Manager

I said "fast". Yes the QGYOLOBJ API and both OBJECT_STATISTICS and my own OBJECT_LIST UDTF can produce a list of objects. But imagine this. you want a list of Printer files. Say there are 20 on the system. Yes your only option is to all all *FILE object (let's say there are 20,000+ on the system) and then once you have that list, filter out all but PRTF files.  That's what OBJECT_STATISTICS (and the others) provides.

Hi, if I have understood your primary need correctly and it is to find a fast programmatic way to list all Printer Files on an LPAR, then I think you can do this with the SQL Object Statics to get a list of just printer files pretty quickly

Hope this helps

Steve Bradshaw

The Friendly Techie at RowtonIT.com

IBM Champion, Member of CEAC, TD of i-UG.co.uk

Example below:

Select Objname As File_Name,
 Objlib As Library,
 Objtype As Object_Type,
 Objattribute As Attribute,
 Objtext As Text_Description,
 Objcreated As Creation_Date,
 Objowner As Owner,
 Objdefiner As Definer,
 Objsize As Size_Bytes,
 Last_Used_Timestamp,
 Days_Used_Count
 From Table (
 Qsys2.Object_Statistics('*ALL', '*FILE')
 ) As Obj
 Where Objattribute = 'PRTF'
 Order By Objlib,
 Objname
 Limit 100;