Re: UDF return *PGM parm?

You need two SQL modules ( if you will make it the clean way) :

1) Create a stored procedure that wraps the RPG *PGM - your can use the
basic parameter style. That is basically just a parameter template for SQL
to know how it calls your program - no real object is created here.

2) Create a scalar function that calls the procedure and and returns the
output parameter from the stored procedure.

We do it all the time, so we can "call an RPG program" within a select from
statement.



On Thu, Jan 22, 2026 at 5:46 PM Daniel Gross <daniel@xxxxxxxx> wrote:

Yes - I looked it up again in the SQL reference.


https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/i/7.5.0?topic=statements-create-function-external-scalar

For PARAMETER STYLE SQL to work, your program needs the following
parameters - quote from the SQL reference:

The parameters are defined to be in the following order:
- n parameters for the input parameters that are specified for the

function.

- A parameter for the result of the function.
- n parameters for indicator variables for the input parameters.
- A parameter for the indicator variable for the result.
- A CHAR(5) output parameter for SQLSTATE. ...
- A VARCHAR(517) input parameter for the fully qualified function name.
- A VARCHAR(128) input parameter for the specific name.
- A VARCHAR(1000) output parameter for the message text.

And that works quite good. But you will need a "wrapper" program or
procedure if you don't want to modify the original program.

If you have specific entry parameters, please show them, so we can try to
help you.

HTH
Daniel

Am 22.01.2026 um 17:23 schrieb Daniel Gross <daniel@xxxxxxxx>:

Yes - that shouldn't be a big problem.

You have to use

PARAMETER STYLE DB2SQL

in the function definition. AFAIK "SQL" does also work, but I always use

"DB2SQL".

With this you will have a parameter the contains the return value for

the function.

Still one of the best resources for UDFs and UDTFs is Scott's

presentation:

https://www.scottklement.com/presentations/RPG%20User%20Defined%20Functions%20&%20Table%20Functions.pdf

Scott's example is with a *SRVPGM procedure, but it works the same with

a *PGM - it differs only in the EXTERNAL NAME clause.

HTH
Daniel

Am 22.01.2026 um 17:09 schrieb Justin Taylor <jtaylor.0ab@xxxxxxxxx>:

I'd wager this is a long shot, but it can't hurt to ask.

I have an RPGLE *PGM that has a parameter that's basically an output
parameter. Is there a way to create an SQL UDF that can use that *PGM
object and make that output parameter an actual return value?

*SRVPGM is off the table. Don't ask... :(


Thanks
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