Question

Difference between RPG400 & RPGLE?

RPG/400, RPGLE

What is the difference between RPG400 & RPGILE?

Hi,

There are a lot of differences between the 2 versions of RPG, here are a few examples :-

RPGILE runs in the ILE (Integrated Language Environment) instead of the OPM (Original Program Model) environment.
RPGILE supports longer file/field names, also prefixes for field names.
RPGILE supports BIFs (Built In Functions).
RPGILE allows use of service programs and modules.
RPGILE allows free format RPG code.
RPGILE has enhanced support for use of other languages such as ILE/C.

The list goes on and on, maybe someone has some nice links to an overview of the differences.

Regards,

Martin Gilbert.


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In addition to what Martin said:

RPG400 is based on RPG III and RPGLE relies on RPG IV wich offers those features metioned above.

RPG IV and ILE is not exactly the same. You can be programming in RPG IV by using all those features like Built-in Functions, free format, longer names, prefix for field names, qualified data structures, and still the environment is OPM not ILE.

ILE Means static call, the programs get all information about the called program at compile time. It's the binding process. Then, at run time the call is more efficient than the old method of dynamic call used by OPM. OPM runs in the Default Activation Group and ILE programs in a different one that could be *New, QILE (generic Activation Group for ILE), or whatever the name you want.

Activation Groups are sub-environment within a job.

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As usual we don't know enough about why the question was asked.

RPG/400 is a mature product.
All RPG/400 programs will run on a current 400, they can be edited an maintained as RPG/400, edited, and compiled. The language works and will continue to work.

RPG/400 code can be converted to RPG IV code with a single command.
Today, RPG IV code can be written in two formats, fixed column based format which is like RPG/400 and a free format layout. Since it's inception RPG IV has had the addition of a lot of new features. Some RPG/400 code cannot be translated into Free format but free and fixed format code can exist in a single file.

As described above, RPG IV provides ILE capabilities which allow it to use prototyped calls, objects built from multiple modules and service programs.
Phil L