Code for IBM i - Setup

This post explains the Code for IBM i settings that I find helpful.

Connection Settings

Find these settings by right clicking on your connection and selecting “Connection Settings”

Features

• Quick Connect
  • faster is better.
• Enable SQL
  • Use this if your QCCSID setting is NOT 65535. If it is, just leave it unchecked. To check this, you can run DSPSYSVAL QCCSID from 5250, or system dspsysval qccsid from an ssh session.

Checking QCCSID system value from an SSH session - NOT 65535, YAY

• Show description of libraries in User Library List view

• Support EBCDIC streamfiles
  • I don’t really use this. Streamfile source shoult be UTF-8, but if you converted source from file members, they may be
• Errors to ignore
  • I don’t use this, but I can see how this could be helpful.
• Auto Save for Actions
  • I do like to keep this checked. Its very frustraqting when you forget to hit save and have to go back and do it again.

Source Code

• Source ASP
  • I haven’t needed to use this - you need it if your development IBM i lpar has an Auxilary Storage Pool.
• Source file CCSID
  • You probably don’t need to change this from *FILE. The instructions say to only change it if you have a source file that is 65535. You can check this in an SSH session with cl dspfd LibName/FileName | grep CCSID.
• Enable Source Dates
  • I do keep this checked, since I work in source members from time to time.
• Source date tracking mode
  • Use Diff mode - it works better.
• Source Dates in Gutter
  • This is a personal preference - I find myself going back and forth on this one. If you refer to source dates a bunch, you probably want them in the gutter, otherwise, leave it unchecked.
• Read only mode
  • There are situations where this would be useful - perhaps a connection with filters to source files that you don’t have authority to modify.

Terminals

These settings are all about the tn5250 greenscreen terminal integrated into the Code for IBM i extension. For the most part these can be left as is.

• 5250 encoding
  • Take the default unless you know what you are doing.
• 5250 Terminal Type
  • Take the default unless you know what you are doing.
• Set Device Name for 5250
  • You probably don’t need to check this.
• Connection string for 5250
  • Not sure why you would need to enter a connection string. Take the default unless you know what you are doing.

Debugger

• Debug Port
  • Change this only if needed
• Update Production Files
  • I normally keep this one checked
• Debug trace
  • Leave unchecked
• Debug Securely
  • Check it if required by your organization

Temporary Data

• Temporary Library
  • This is an important one. This must be the name of a library that you have write access to. If you are using PUB400.com, it can be only one of the 2 libraries that you were given.
• Temporary IFS Directory
  • I have never needed to change this from /tmp
• Clear Temporary Data Automatically
  • Keep this one checked
• Sort IFS Shortcuts Automatically
  • This is a personal preference. How do you want your IFS shortcuts sorted?

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