Interview questions:

1.What are different types of files?

CPT files (equipment history)

Which uses high amount of transaction data.

DFLT functions

CRTOBJ

DLTOBJ

CHGOBJ

REF files(setup files with interface code and type)

CRTOBJ

DLTOBJ

CHGOBJ

SELRCD

EDTFIL

STR

2.Different types of file relations ?

OWNED BY

REFERS TO

3.What are the 4 database functions ?

4 INTERNAL functions CRTOBJ,DLTOBJ,CHGOBJ,RTVOBJ

4.Different role of paramters

MAP

RST

POS
1.What is the maximum length of parameter could be passed to a functions .

9 if more than 9 use array or a file.

2.I am creating a new function and only want CRTOBJ to be created what to do?

F7 option on the function

5. Create an array and want to use it what is the precaution to use?
How do we call non-synon function from synon program?

If I use same 2 programs in a program what happens?

2 subrotuines will be created.

What are the user points in EDTFIL , SEL RCD?

Which functions doesn’t have user points?

EXCEXTFUN

It can have user defined user points .

Which function needs return code to be defined explicity?

EXCEXTFUN

EXCINTFUNC

What are internal functions ?

They are meant to be used within a external function or any other function with
object name like diplay file, edit file. Internal functions are like common
subroutines which are created to be shared among different programs. 

EXTUSRSRC
user-written high-level language source code is to be included within the source code generated by a
calling function.

EXTUSRPGM

Return code needs to be set explicitly.

You cannot specify Neither (N) type parameter for this function type; however, you may specify
Varying (VRY) role parameters

Types of Role.
1. R - Restricted. Function will read access path to find exact matching record.
2. M - Map. Function will read access path from the beginning.
3. P - Position. Function will read access path to find closedst matching record.

Types of Usage.

1. I - Input. Parameter will be passed as input.

2. O - Output. Parameter will be used as output means this "Display racing
results" function will return value in this parameter.
3. B - Both. Parameter will used to pass value and return value both.
4. N - Neither. Parameter will not be used.
5. D - Drop. Parameter is dropped and can not be used.

How do you create a file in synon.

YSTRY2 hrmdl command use cheyyandi

also make sure

X1SY, X2SY, HRGEN, HRMDL added to libl

What happens if a pgm is called twice in synon program?

2 subroutines will be created.

* Check Horse is a Sire(M) - Horse for giri *

C EXSR SARVGN

* Check Horse is a Sire(M) - Horse for giri *

C EXSR SBRVGN
Type of context fields in synon?
File transfer SFTP

KANBAN BOARD IS USED

JIRA

Tools used are :

IMPL

ALDON

TURNOVER

Topics to be prepared

PF

LEVEL CHECK ERROR

SQLRPGLE

DEBUG

SERVICE PROGRAMS , MODULES

ACTIVATION GROUPS

Previous interview questions:

How to access member of a particular file.

OPNQRYF

CHGPF

DFTACTGRP

TYPE OF ARRAYS

DATA STRUCTURES

WHAT IS ACCESS PATH

PRINT FILES

CL

Types of errors in CL

COMMAND LEVEL

PROGRAM LEVEL

What is signature erroe

How to add field to a FILE

Error handling in RPGLE

*PSSR
ON ERROR

CONSTRAINTS IN PF

ACCESS MEMBER OF A FILE

IF A JOBS GOES INTO MSGW ,what are all the options

CHGPF

SUBSYSTEM

WRKSYSSTS

Why subsystem? To dividie the allocation of resources.

How job goes into QBATCH or QINTER subsystem?

JOB into QUEUE WRKJOBQ

SUBSYSTEM(PROCESSING THE JOB)

OUTQ

WHY OUTQ

Initially as400 desgined to print everything.

PHYSICAL FILE

Access member of a physical file.

Add fields to a file.

OPNQRYF

CHGPF *MAP *DROP

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

PART-1
1-How SFLSIZ and SFLPAG differs with all 3 types of Subfiles?

SFLPAG number of records on page.

Types of subfiles :

single page , SFLPAG= SFLSIZ no limitation on SFLSIZ size

LOAD SFLPAG number of records on screen and when page down we are clearing buffer.

load all SFLPAG<SFLSIZ SFLSIZ 9999

, xpandable SFLPAG<SFLSIZ SFLZSIZ 9999

LOAD SFLPAG number of records on screen and when page down we are not clearing
buffer.subfile is growing

2-How to identify whether any job is interactive or batch in CL, in RPG and normally?

Jobs with status BCH and INT USING Command WRKACTJOB TYPE COLUMN

In CL –RTVJOBA , check for parameter TYPE value 0 means batch and vaue 1 interactive

In RPG API QUSRJOBI field QUSJT04 which contains value for job B batch I interactive.

3-How will I explicitly open a file in RPG program?

USROPN in Fspecs %OPEN(F1) , %CLOSE(F1)

4-How do you set pointer to some value or its next or higher value?

SETGT in RPG

5-How can we execute a job in AS400?

SBMJOB

6-How can we translate values from lower to upper in RPG and Embedded SQL in RPG?

%XLATE

Upper function in SQLRPGLE.

7-How can we write and read a value using DSPF in CL program?

SNDRCVF command in CL ,

8-How to check end of file in CL?

Mon msg CP0864 for EOF

9-Can u update a database file in CL?

No UPDATE OR INSERT

We can use OPNQRYF

10-How do u monitor the message in CL?

MONMSG MSGID(CPF0000)

11-What is CA and CF and difference between them?

Answer:

CA-COMMAND ATTENTION like F12 to exit.

COMMAND FUNCTION passes values from one screen to another.

Like F6 to add

12-What can we done from O specs in RPG?

Report design

Insert records in a file

13-What is *PSSR?

Program status sub routine

System exception handling invoked automatically when error occurred.

14-Why we use *INLR = *ON?

Is an indicator set explicitly

To free rsoucesor memory like variables, files

15-What we called the program variable used with embedded SQL?

HOST VARIABLES

16-How to find dependent of a file in AS400?

DSPDBR

17-What is the length of the variable in DCL VAR(&VAR1) TYPE (*CHAR)?

Default length for a variable is 32

18-What is the length of the variable in DCL VAR(&VAR2) TYPE (*DEC)?

Default length is 15.5

19-What is the disadvantage of a global variable in AS400?

Accessing of varialbes globally outside procedures and result in garbage value

20-How can we avoid using indicators in RPG?

BY USING BIF

%FOUND, %EOF , %NOTEOF

PART-2
1-Which library gets loaded first when we login to IBM i?

2-How to see all the objects in library and its size?

Rklib and take 12

3-How to check all members of a file?

dspdbr

4-How to see all record formats used in a file?

dspfd

5-How to change the record size of a PF?

chgpf

6-Why we use USROPN keyword in RPGLE?

To open file explicitly

7-Why we use EXTMBR keyword in RPGLE?

EXTMBR(‘MEMBERNAME)

EXTMBR(‘ALL)

8-What is the purpose of using Varying? D Var1 S 10A Varying /Free Var1 = 'HELLO'; /End-Free 9-
What is CPF4131?

DYNAMICALLY ALLOCATON OF LENGTH

10-Difference between CRTDUPOBJ and CPYF command?

11-Mandatory keywords for subfile?

SFLCTL

SFLDSP

SFLPAG
 SFLSIZ

SFL

12-Difference between PLIST and KLIST?

PLIST – all parameters

KLIST – LIST OF KEYS

13-Difference between *INLR = *ON and RETURN?

INLR

FREE VARIABLES OR RELEASE RESOURCES

CLOSES FILE

CLEAR MEMORY

14-What is the effective use and side effects of *INLR? How to overcome the side effects? Example
use case scenario?

AGAIN FILE HAS TO BE OPENED , ASSIGN OF VARIABLES

Activation group

RCLLAIM IN activation group

Ends all program running in activation group

15-What operations we can perform on Indicators?

SETOFF(0) and SETON(1)

16-How to check if a record is locked in RPGLE?

*STATUS FIELD IN INFDS 01218

17-How can we execute a CL command from within RPG program without calling a CL program?

QCMDEXC API

SYSTEM C API

QCAPCMD

18-Can we use a file with same file and record format name in RPGLE?

No, BUT THIS CAN BE DONE BY REMANMING THE RECORD FORMAT IN FSPECS

19-What are those commands which can only be executed in CL program but not in RPG program?

RTV* which retrieves some value cannot be used in RPG

20-How to retrieve RRN value of the file record in RPGLE?

INFDS IN SPECS DECARE RRN IN

PART-3
1-What is the maximum length of a variable name in CL program?

2-How can we display data from a flat file?

3-Difference between READC and SFLNXTCHG?

4-Difference between ITER and DO?

5-Difference between RENAME and PREFIX?

6-How to debug a job which is in MSGW state?

7-How do u pass parameters in CL program?

8-What is a Spool file?

9-What does EXFMT does?

10-What is the default data type of DS subfields in RPGLE?

11-What is the default data type for decimal 0 in PF?

12-Difference between Packed and Zoned decimal?

13-Difference between DOW and DOU loop?

14-How do u read a DSPF and Database file in CL program?

15-How do u declare more than one file in CL program?

16-How do u declare a file with graphic fields in CL program?

17-Why we use %SST in CL program?

18-Difference between SFLPAG and SFLSIZ?

19-Is module executable?

20-Can we call a module?

ILE Concepts

SERVICE PROGRAM

BINDER LAGNUAGE

STRPGMEXP

SINGATURE

ACTIVATION GROUP

CL

MONMSGS

RMVM

CLPFM

CHKOBJ

CPYFRMIMPF

CPYTOIMPF

OVRDBF

ADDPFM

OPNQRYF

CLOF

What is JOBD in AS400

Its main purpose is to control the access of library list by the job.

JOBD:

Its has scheduling priority,routing data,message queue severity,library list information and output
information.

CRTJOBD

DSPJOBD

PART-12

1.What is commitment control in RPG?

File has to be journalled

 CRTJRNPRCV

CRTJRNPF

STRJRNPF

STRJRNRCV

STRSMTCTL

ENDCMTCTL

In rpgle

COMMIT

ROLLBACK

2.What happens if SFLSIZE=SFLPAG?

Single page SFL

Adv:LOAD any number of recods no limit of 9999 unlike other SFL

Disdav: page up and page down needs to be handled

3.Program cycle of RPGLE?

Read a file

Process file

Write the file

4.What is flat file?

No DDS but it has record length.

Program described flat file in RPGLE has fixed length

FILE NAME,records format name and field name is same.

No need to read file in RPG program if defined in Fspces.

5.*INZSR ?

Initlaization subroutine.

No need to call, executes automatically

6.RPG command or CLP command to find if a field is character rfield or decimal?

TESTN

7.Opcode to check existina ce of record?

SETLL

8.Data types?

Attrbutes of fields,

9.Array operations in AS400

%lookup,SORTA,XFOOT(SUM UP VALUES OF ARRAY),MOVEA

10.Debug rpg using strisdb?

Yes , ILE no

11.Code file field renames in as400?

Like.

PART 6:

1.When do we use CLOF command?

To close any file opened by user explicitly

OPNQRYF

OPNDBF

2.ALCOBJ and CHKOBJ?

3What does pgmref do

List out all objects used in program

4.Why cant we use RTV commands on command line?

We need a variable to hold the return values .

Used only in CL not in RPGLE or on command line.

5.Is recursion allowed in CL?

Yes

6.Do all the objects needs to be present during the CL file compilation?

Files and command must exist

7.What are the different ways to pass data between programs and which is the efficient way?

Parms

Dataarea

MSGQ

DTAQ ------ efficient

Files

8.What are the ways to view programs?

2 , 5 are used

DSPPFM

9.The RUNQRY command display the records but it is not possible to find a particular string in the
file records, as find option is not provided.Is there any way out?

WE by set te RCDSLT option as *YES.

10.Can we pass numeric variable for call to program from command line?

Pass hexadecimal value. Call pgm(a(X’25’F)

11.What command is used to clear a physical file?

CLRPFM

12.Is it possible to have separate description for a nobject of source.Yes

During compilation
13.Can I use CPYF to copy a logical file?

Yes , it would create a PF.

14.Dependent files on a physical file ?

DSPDBR

15.Record cound in RUNQRY file?

Yes OUTFORM(*SUMMARY)

16.Select a record based on criteria in RUNQRY ?

Yes

Part – 10

02.What are the valid user defined data area types?

*Char

*logical

*decimal

*ddm – refer data area present in other system.

03.What is multi-format logical files?

Types of logical files

Single format

Multiple format

Logical files created with multiple records formats.

04.What is the SELECT and OMIT criteria in logical files?

Way of designing filters on logical files.

05.Can fields be concatenated in logical file level?

Yes using CONCAT

06When do we use ALL keyword?

SELECT AND OMIT CRITERIA

What is difference between CAT,BCAT,TCAT?

CAT – concatenate 2 strings as it is

TCAT – trim blank from 1st string , insert one space and concatenate 2nd string.

BCAT – trim blank from 1st string , concatenate 2nd string

07.In which specs report layout is defined?

O specs

08.DFU purpose?

SELECT , UPDATE,INSERT

09.When are unqiue constraints execute?

Insert the records

10.When referential constraints executed?

Insert, delete and update

11.Why cursor declare statement used?

Specify name of cursor , define cursor and specify row to be fetched?

12.Which CL command is used at program execution to redirect the files to RPG program.

OVRDBF

13.How to write *pssr?

*pssr begsr

Move a = 0,

Endsr
14.What is PR and PI?

Procedure prototype

Definition structure/ for calling the procedure.

Procedure interface

Define paramters (receive/return)

15.Explain the EDTCDE/EDTWRD?

EDTCDE -Formatting keywords

– cannot be used with characters data type.

(Y – date field)

Z suppressing leading zeroes

EDTWRD – formatting keyword

Depend on user how this can be used

16.What keyword is used when screen is redisplayed?

CRTDSPF

RSTDSP = *YES

17.What is OVERLAY?

Field A is overlayed with values of B but A vales are retained.

18.Difference between VIEW and INDEX?

LF with no key is a view.

LF with key is index.

19.Mandatory keywords of subfiles?

SFLSIZ

SFLPAG

SFL
SFLCTL

SFLDSP

20.What is %LOOKUP code?

Opcode to search in an array.

Part – 13 ILE Concepts

1.Can you define 2 QSYSPRT ina single program?

Program described printer file. Bu we can declare only 1.

2.How can you define a blank subfile?

SFLDSP should be ON which means we have to display subfile.

3.When do you get decimal data error ?

If in numeric we get char ..like in move .

Bad data like numberic field is not intialized

4.What are the types of subfiles?

Single page SFLPAG = SFLSIZ

Load all

expandable

5.Subfile mandatory keywords?

SFL

SFLDSP

SFLCTL

SFLPAG

SFLSIZ

6.Difference between SFLCLR and SFLINZ?

Clears data loaded in subfile

 Clears data loaded and then initializes variables

7.Difference between EXCPT and WRITE?

EXCPT to write on PF in printer files

8.What is CLEAR and RESET?

Clear – clears variable

Reset - a s 1 inz(N)

Eval A = ‘Y’

Reset

Now value of A is N

9.What is binding directory?

List of service programs and modules

Same like library list

10.When we receive signature violation error?

Occurs when signature of service program does not match with the calling program

When does signature of a program changes?

11.What is binder language?

List out the exported procedures.

12.What is PEP and UEP?

Program entry procedures when we don’t know what module to call first , in that case module in

PEP is called first

User entry procedures

12a. Which command is used to replace modules of an ILE BOUND PROGRAM with other modules
on the system, without recompiling programs?

UPDPGM

13.How ou import and export data between 2 programs?

Export symbol

14.Difference between CALL , CALLB and CALLP?

 CALL synamic call

Control gets transferred to calling pgm

CALLB,CALLP STATIC

To call modules and procedures

CALLP to call procedure for programs with nomain

If program has 1 default procedure and main module used CALLB

15.Command used to build service program?

CRSTSRVPGM

16.What is bind by reference?

MODULE ATTACHED TO SRVPGM – BIND BY REFERENCE

MODULE ATTACHED TO PROGRAM – BIND BY COPY

17.What is a module?

A non-executable program.

Needed to bebinded to program or srvpgm

What is activation group in ILE?

Subset of job and resources are taken in run this env.

Types *new , *caller and*ENTMOD - *NAMED

18 .When does signature of a srvpgm changes?

What different ways to read a multimember PF?

OPNQRYF

OVRDBF

What are different ways to pass data between 2 programs

How to check if all parameters are passed to PROGRAM B from PROGRAM A?