RE: API data type prototyping

Barbara Morris did a conversion table for C to RPG data types which is
very useful and can be found at:

http://www.as400pro.com/servlet/sql.tipView?key=171&category=RPG


If you go to the IBM Info Centre at
http://publib.boulder.ibm.com/infocenter/iseries/v5r3/ic2924/index.htm
and then drill down through "Programming", "APIs" and "API by Category"
in the left hand navigation pane and then click on the ILE CEE API entry
in the main window you should see a further link for "Data Type
Definitions of ILE CEE" click on that and it will tell you how to code
the data types in RPG ILE, C and COBOL.

All the best

Jonathan


Jonathan 
www.astradyne-uk.com


-----Original Message-----
From: rpg400-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:rpg400-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Pete Helgren
Sent: 18 July 2005 18:16
To: RPG Midrange Discussion
Subject: API data type prototyping

Seemed to me that there was a post, way back when, that had some 
instructions for mapping API data types to RPG types.  Perhaps there is 
an FAQ somewhere?

What I would like is some general instructions on how to properly define

variables in my prototypes for system API calls.  For example, I am 
working with QSZRTVPR API and it has the following format:

1     Receiver variable     Output     Char(*)
2     Length of receiver variable     Input     Binary(4)
3     Format name     Input     Char(8)
4     Product information     Input     Char(*)
5     Error code     I/O     Char(*)

 Optional Parameter:

6     Product information format name     Input     Char(8)

What I would like is something that says:

Binary(4) maps to 10I
Char(*) maps to (? don't know)
Char(8) to 8A

Also whether or not the value keyword is needed. Anything special for 
I/O vs Input or output.  That kind of thing.

Yes, this is basic stuff and yes, I suppose a properly trained RPG 
programmer would know this stuff, but I recently transitioned to RPG IV 
(free form mostly) and some of this stuff is just tough to get your arms

around (especially when Java and C++ also intrude into the programming 
mix on a daily basis).

Perhaps an FAQ entitled "How to prototype and use system API's"?  
Although I know we can't document all the API's, general "rules" about 
how to do it would be helpful.  Perhaps it is already in a post.  If so 
I'd gladly format them into an FAQ or stuff them in the Wiki.

Seems that I have seen something like this somewhere in the past...if 
so, sorry for the waste of time...could you point me to it.

Pete Helgren