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Status Functionality already exists
Workspace IBM i
Categories Languages - RPG
Created by Guest
Created on Aug 12, 2026

Support LOB (CLOB, BLOB, DBCLOB) natively in RPG IV

Today to access a LOB column (field) in RPG IV, we need to have the source type as SQLRPGLE and declare it using an SQL keyword:

  DCL-S MYCLOB	SQLTYPE(CLOB:1000);

I am requesting that IBM add native LOB support for variable declarations in RPG IV, that does NOT require the SQL preprocessor. Something like this:

  DCL-S MYCLOB	CLOB(1000);
Idea priority High
  • Guest
    Sep 10, 2026
    [JIRA_COMMENT_ID:668232]

    Portal Public
    Your request is a duplicate of IBM Idea IBMI-I-1967.
    https://ibm-power-systems.ideas.ibm.com/ideas/IBMI-I-1967.

    It is not feasible for native RPG to handle LOB data.

    • IBM Power Systems Development
  • Guest
    Sep 8, 2026

    The CAAC has reviewed this IBM Idea and recommends that IBM view this as a “nice to have” low priority feature.

    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

    Brandon Pederson - CAAC Program Manager