Execute Command from an RPG program

IBM i Commands are normally run from a command line or from a CL program, but it is very simple to run the also from an RPG program.

The IBM i API program QCMDEXC is used for this. The API takes a string containing the command and the length of the command.

To simplify this in an RPG application a procedure can be made as a general utility where the call to the API is made.

Example of a procedure executing a supplied command

//----------------------------------------------------------------------
// Procedure Name: exec_Command
// Description...: Executes requested command
//----------------------------------------------------------------------
dcl-proc exec_Command;

dcl-pi *n ind;
  Command char(512) const;
end-pi ;

dcl-pr QCMDEXC extpgm;
  *n char(512) options(*varsize) const;
  *n packed(15:5) const;
end-pr;

monitor ;
  QCMDEXC(Command:%len(%trimr(Command)));
on-error;
  return *off;
endmon;

return *on;

end-proc;

//----------------------------------------------------------------------

// Procedure Name: exec_Command

// Description...: Executes requested command

//----------------------------------------------------------------------

dcl-proc exec_Command;

dcl-pi *n ind;

Command char(512) const;

end-pi ;

dcl-pr QCMDEXC extpgm;

*n char(512) options(*varsize) const;

*n packed(15:5) const;

end-pr;

monitor ;

QCMDEXC(Command:%len(%trimr(Command)));

on-error;

return *off;

endmon;

return *on;

end-proc;