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Status Future consideration
Workspace IBM i
Created by Guest
Created on Dec 11, 2020

Add Maximum Line Length as a preference in Free-form SQL Formatting

The SQL Auto-formatter in Rational Developer formats long predicates with the end-of-line preference passed the savable source column length.
The SQL Formatter within ACS Run SQL Scripts allows you to specify a maximum line length. This same preference in Rational Developer would be beneficial.

The following free-form SQL formatting preferences are used for the scenario below:
Formatting = Checked
Indent = 2
One comma = End of line
On AND/OR keywords = End of line
Treat text beyond column 80 as SQL code to be formatted = Checked
Use the Enhanced SQL Formatter = Checked

Scenario - Consider the following generic SQL statement:
EXEC SQL
SELECT COLUMN1, COLUMN2, COLUMN3, COLUMN4
INTO :Data_Structure
FROM LIB.TABLE
WHERE COLUMN1 = :value1 AND COLUMN2 = :value2 AND COLUMN3 = :value3 AND COLUMN4 = :value4 AND COLUMN5 =
:value5 AND COLUMN6 = :value6
ORDER BY COLUMN1, COLUMN2, COLUMN3, COLUMN4
FOR READ ONLY;
A source file with a record length of 112 causes this SQL statement to be auto-formatted passed column 100 but columns 101 - 112 are reserved for the source date area.
Saving the source causes the longest SQL line to be cut off at column 100.
Using auto-format in this way forces you to then go back to each SQL line that is passed column 100 and manually add a new-line to compensate for the overflow.


Use Case:

The auto-formatting feature is very beneficial and used everyday. Adding a line length preference will allow the use of the end of line preference with long SQL lines.


Idea priority Medium
  • Guest
    Reply
    |
    Feb 18, 2021

    The solution provided accomplish what was needed. Thank you.

  • Guest
    Reply
    |
    Feb 17, 2021

    The CEAC has reviewed this requirement and recommends that IBM view this as a MEDIUM priority requirement that should be addressed.

    Background: The COMMON Europe Advisory Council (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

  • Guest
    Reply
    |
    Dec 15, 2020

    The ability to set the end column for free form SQL code embedded within SQLRPGLE member already exists. Simply set the "END Column" preference on the next preference page "Remote Systems>Remote Systems>IBM i Parsers>ILE RPG>Formatter". We acknowledge that this is less than obvious and we will look at improving the discoverability of this function with this RFE. But in the meantime please use the existing preference to accomplish your purposes.