Re: RPG Service Program vs Include Source for Shared Subprocedures and SQL Calls

Service programs is my go to guy..

The is some exceptions: versioning - where different clients need different
versions at a certain point in time.

In these ( rare) occasions- I stick to link the module into the client
code. Why not copy then? Because you can see which clients binds to the
modules



lør. 21. mar. 2026 kl. 11.17 skrev Brian May <bmay@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>:

The only time I recommend /INCLUDE is for license key/security functions
in vendor software. And that only so someone can't try to bypass them.


Brian May



Profound Logic Software

Principal Technology Evangelist


http://www.profoundlogic.com<http://www.profoundlogic.com/>
<http://www.profoundlogic.com/>

937-439-7925 Phone

877-224-7768 Toll Free



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Subject: RPG Service Program vs Include Source for Shared Subprocedures
and SQL Calls

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Hi All,

In the Python, Java and .Net world I usually create Python classes, jar
files or DLLs to contain shared functionality.

Because most IBMi shops have an interesting mix of RPG code bases I'm
trying to determine whether I should create a service program or use
includes for shared functionality at a customer site.

With service programs, write once, bind and use everywhere.

With copy books, just include on-the-fly.

In the past I've leaned towards copybooks, but I'm curious what others
think. I'm a little cautious of burying SQL functionality into one or more
service programs.

Real-world thoughts appreciated.

Thanks

Regards,
Richard Schoen
Web: http://www.richardschoen.net
Email: richard@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:richard@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>

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