Introduction to the AS/400
AS/400 Mid-Range Operating
System
AS/400 Market Niche
 IBM Midrange computer that bridges the gap
between Mainframes and PCs
 Transaction Based Processor
 Reliable
 As powerful as a mainframe, but more cost
effective
Industry Examples
(See http://cs.senecac.on.ca/~ops234)
 Manufacturing
 Pharmaceutical
 Distribution
 Telecom
 Retail
 Medical
 Entertainment
 Automotive
 Construction
 Education
 Banking
 Microsoft!!!
AS/400 is:
» Multiuser
» Multitasking
OS400
 Operating System
 Object-Based
 Types of Objects include:

–
–
–
User Profiles
Job Queues
Files
Programs
Definitions
DOS/Unix Word AS/400 Word
Directory
File
Executable File
Database File
Search Path
User Account
VI Editor or NLED
Exit or ^D
Library (all libraries at the same
level – no sub-libraries)
Object
Program Object
File Object
Library List
User Profile
Source Entry Utility (SEU)
Signoff
Data Storage Heirarchy
Library
Objects
Members
contain data Files only
AS/400 Menu Driven
Create Library Command
Type option 4
Type Option 2
Type Option 2
Type in the
Library Name
IBM AS/400 Help
 Menu Driven
 Field Level
 Extended Help
Move the cursor
to the Top Line
and Press F1
Extended Help
(Command Help)
Move the cursor
to a specific Field
and Press F1
Field Level
Help
Important Function Keys
Function Keys
F1
F3
F4
F12
Description
Help
Exit
Prompt
Cancel
Function Keys Cont’d
To Access F13  Type Shift+F1
To Access F24  Type Shift +F12
CL (Control Language)
• Language used to communicate with the
AS/400
• English Based (Verbs & Nouns)
CRTLIB
Create
Library
Data Representation on the
AS/400
• EBCDIC!
• Main Data Types Used are :
– Alphanumeric
– Signed or Zoned Integers
– Packed Data Decimals