Saturday 27 August 2011

AS-400 Interview Questions and Answers: Part I

What is the maximum number of records you can specify in a display file?
Ans:
1024

How can a screen field that has changed since the last output operation be detected ?
Ans:
Attach the MDT (modified data tag) attribute to the field, to detect whether field has been changed as a result of user input.

What would be the effect on the field where reverse image, underline and highlight display attributes were active?
Ans:
The result is same as if you had specified ND.

What is the use of DSPATR(MDT) keyword?
Ans:
Sets on the modified Data Tag of the field. The Data Tag detect whether the field has been changed as a result of user input.

If DSPATR(PC) and CSRLOC were specified for a format, which keyword would have priority?
Ans:
CSRLOC gains priority.

AS-400 Interview Questions and Answers: Part II

How do you pass parameters in CL?
Ans:
Using PARM keyword.

What are the valid user defined data area types?
Ans:
CHAR, NUMERIC and LOGICAL

What is Multi-format logical file?
Ans:
Logical which uses fields from two or more physical files.

What is the Select and Omit criteria in logical file?
Ans:
This is used to specify rules for the Selection/Omission of records from a Physical File.

Can fields be concatenated INa logical file level?
Ans:
Yes. by using CONCAT keyword

When would the ALL keyword be used?
Ans:
Use with Select or Omit, to select/omit records.

What are the different types of keywords in display files?
Ans:
File level, Record format level, Field level

AS-400 Interview Questions and Answers: Part III

Give three main purposes of File specification ?
Ans:
To define files, to describe the files, to assign the files to specified devices.

How do you specify page overflow indicator for printer files in RPG?
Ans:
Specify an indicator in position 33-34 of F specification.

What is a Primary File?
Ans:
It is used in RPG Program Cycle to automatically read records in a cycle.

Can a indexed file be accessed in arrival sequence in RPG program?
Ans
:Yes.

What opcode could be used to test an alphanumeric field for all numeric values?
Ans:
TESTN

What opcode will be used to test the zone of a character field?
Ans:
TESTZ

How to read database records without locking them?
Ans:
Put 'N' in position 53 of C specs.

AS-400 Interview Questions and Answers: Part IV

What the purpose of the keywords FIFO, LIFO, FCFO?
Ans:
These keywords are used at file level. The purpose of each one is described below:
FIFO: The duplicate key records will retrieved in first in first out order.
LIFO: The duplicate key records will retrieved in last in first out order.
FCFO: The duplicate key records will retrieved in first changed first out order.

What is the difference between regular logical file and join logical file?
Ans:
Regular logical file contains more than one record format.
Record format name in regular logical file should be same based on the physical file.
Join logical file contains only one record format.
Record format name in join logical file should be different.
Through logical file we can made changes in physical file.
Through join logical file we can't made changes in physical file.

Distinguish between logical file and physical file?
Ans:
Physical file contains only one record format.
Logical file contains more than one record format.
Physical file contains actual data.
Logical file doesn't contains data but it provides view from the physical file.

AS-400 Interview Questions and Answers: Part V

When will you use OPEN and CLOSE opcodes in RPG program?
Ans:
If you specify the letter "U" at columns 73 - 74 in a file description specification indicating that user control on a file. Hence we have to explicitly open and close the file in a program.

What is difference between fully procedural file and primary file?
Ans:
In primary file the records will be read and processed from begining to end. This order is not changed. In fully procedural file the records will be read and processed in any order. The logic flow is controlled by the opcodes in RPG program.

What is the difference between externally described file and program described file?
Ans:
The field definitions and descriptions are defined out side of the program in a externally described file. The field definitions and descriptions are defined in side the program in a program described file.

How many primary files allowed in a program?
Ans:
Only one primary file is allowed in program.

AS-400 Interview Questions and Answers: Part VI

What is message subfile?
Ans:
Message subfile is special file contains multiple messages taken from program message queue and placed in message sub file for display on the screen.

What is the purpose of PUTOVR (Put with explicit override) keyword?
Ans:
Use this record-level keyword to permit the override of either display file attributes or data contents of specific fields within a record displayed on the work station device.

What are necessary keywords to code message subfile?
Ans:
SFLMSGRCD, SFLMSGKEY, SFLPGMQ

What is the difference between SETON LR and RETRN?
Ans:
If you specify SETON LR, all the files used in program will be closed.
If you specify RETRN, all the files used in program will remain open.

What is the purpose of OVRDTA (Override Data) keyword?
Ans:
Use this field level keyword with PUTOVR keyword to override the existing the data contents of a field already on the display.

What is the maximum number of record formats in DSPF?
Ans:
1024 (One thousand and twenty four)

AS400 Realtime Interview Questions Answers : I

How do you set pointers to values 55 or next higher or greater?
Ans:
SETGT.

How will I explicitly open a file in an RPG program?
Ans:
By defining UC in file condition and to opening the file mention OPEN opcode and closing the file by mentioning CLOSE in opcode of C spec.

What is maximum size of data area?
Ans:
9999.

How to fire a JOB?
Ans
:SBMJOB.

How many levels of security are there on AS/400?
Ans:
There are 10 to 50 level of security on AS/400.

How to translate field values form lower case to Upper case?
Ans:
By using opcode XLATE.

What are the maximum parameters can be passed from one RPG program to another RPG program?
Ans:
255

AS400 Realtime Interview Questions Answers : II

How to see the CPU usage?
Ans:
WRKACTJOB or WRKSYSSTS

While designing the screen, F3 function key is kept common for all record formats. On which level should it be defined?
Ans:
File Level

Write down any two mandatory keywords used when defining a subfile?
Ans:
SFLDSP, SFLDSPCTL, SFLCTL, SFLSIZ, SFLPAG.

While designing the screen user wants to add file level keywords, then which function key should be pressed?
Ans:
F14.

Which Function key should be pressed to define hidden field while you are working with SDA?
Ans:
F4

Which function key should be pressed to watch all strings defined on the SDA screen?
Ans:
F20

While designing the screen using SDA, which function key should be pressed to get the field from the field reference file?
Ans:
F10

From work with member using PDM screen you have to modify existing member using SDA, which option do you select?
Ans:
17

AS400 Realtime Interview Questions Answers : III

What is Logical File?
Ans:
A Logical file is an Access path to the Physical File.

How can you specify no duplicate key?
Ans:
By defining the unique key.

What is the command to know how many LF are related to a PF?
Ans:
DSPDBR (Display Database Relationship)

What is the command to know key fields of file?
Ans:
DSPFD (F4) *ACCPTH(Access Path).

What is a Join Logical File?
Ans:
A join Logical File can be built over the two PF’s, with the PF’s ‘joined’ by a common key value. It is available for read access.

Can a Join Logical File be updated?
Ans:
No.

Using DFU, user will be able to ___________ from Physical File?
Ans:
Add/Update/Selected or all fields.

IBM AS400 Interview Questions Answers: Series I

What is arrival sequence?
Ans:
The records will be accessed the way in which records are added to physical file.

How many specifications are there in RPG/400? What are they?
Ans:
There are seven specifications are exits in RPG/400. They are listed below:
* Header Specification ,* File Description specification ,* Extension specification
* Line counter specification ,* Input specification ,* Calculation specification ,* Output specification

When do you use F-spec. continuation line ?
Ans:

* In order to refer the named record format as a subfile record format in the program.
* In order to rename the record format of a database file in a program.
* In order to define a named data structure as a file information data structure.

What are the various types of device files?
Ans:
Display files, printer files, discket files, tape files etc. ,

When do you explicitly open files and close files in an RPG program?
Ans:
If you specify the letter ' U ' at column 73-74, you need to be open and close files explicitly in a RPG program.