RE: Data access for non-AS400 devs?

5250 supports:

STRSQL.  (as others have commented)  Providing you have 57##ST1 loaded on 
your system.

RUNSQLSTM (store your SQL source, like CREATE PROCEDURE, in a source 
member and execute it with RUNSQLSTM).  I use this for where I used to use 
QDDSSRC.  No additional program products needed.

STRQMQRY.  Store your SQL source in a source member.  Run CRTQMQRY on it 
to "compile" it.  Execute it with STRQMQRY.  No additional software 
needed.

STRQM.  Provides a method to do prompted (like Query/400) or SQL method. 
If you had a choice between purchasing Query/400 or 57##ST1, buy 57##ST1 
to also get the imbedded SQL capability.

Imbedded SQL.  Needs 57##ST1 loaded on your system.  And some HLL 
compiler.  Allows you to imbed SQL in a HLL program.  For instance, if you 
wanted to write a RPG program and have it return a result set as a SQL 
stored procedure, comes in mighty handy.

SQL CLI.  Compiler of choice needed.  Much more work than imbedded SQL. 
Has some minor capabilities not available to imbedded SQL.  Only people 
who use it are:
- Those who get a testosterone rush out of doing things the hard way.
- Those who will not upgrade to V5R3 which fixed many of the limitations 
of the imbedded SQL precompiler
- Those who do not have the means to purchase 57##ST1.
- Those who need that one or two obscure little feature not supported by 
imbedded SQL.
(See the sorcerers guide for more information.)

But, for ad hoc, iSeries Navigator isn't bad.

Rob Berendt