Why are these AS400 System Commands Essential for AS400 Users?

Technology Mar 4, 2025 8 Add to Reading List

Are you a technical leader of your organization seeking to streamline processes and improve team productivity?

You can pass this write-up to your AS400 team as a handy guide in their development toolkit.

According to statistics by IBM, over 60,000 companies globally use IBM i as their base for powering their mission-critical computing-heavy applications. And they use critical AS400 commands to ensure the most effective use of the system.

Are you ready to empower your team with these essential commands?

You need a thorough understanding of the IBM AS400 commands that are essential for efficient AS/400 system management and performance optimization.

what does this blog have for you?

What is Command AS400?

· Why are these AS400 System Commands Essential for AS400 Users?

What are the Different Types of AS400 Commands?

The AS400 (Application System/400) is known for its integrated operating system, IBM i, and supports different command types that cater to different aspects of system operation and management.

Each AS400 command has the subsequent aspects:

Up to 10 characters
A mix of 2-3 truncated words
A verb followed by the object

Here’s a breakdown of the various AS400 command types:

1. AS400 CL Commands (Control Language)

CL commands are the foundation of the AS400’s command system. They are used to interact with the operating system, control jobs, work with the database, and handle system configurations.

These commands are recognizable by their three-letter prefixes, such as WRK for work-related commands (e.g., WRKJOBQ – work with job queues) and CRT for creation commands (e.g., CRTLIB – create a library).

2. AS-400 SQL Commands (Structured Query Language)

AS400 SQL commands are used to manage and manipulate databases.

With the AS/400’s integrated DB2 database, SQL commands can perform operations such as querying data, creating tables, and managing database objects.

Some examples of this type of AS400 system commands include SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE.

3. AS 400 RPG Commands

RPG (Report Program Generator) is a high-level programming language used on the AS 400 system for business applications.

While RPG isn’t a command, the system includes commands like (CRTBNDRPG) to compile RPG code, (STRDBG) to debug, and manage RPG programs.

4. AS/400 System Control Commands

These AS400 commands are used to start and stop the system and its services, manage jobs, handle services, schedule tasks, and configure system parameters.

For example, PWRDWNSYS command powers down the system, and STRSST command starts the system service tools.

5. AS400 File and Member Commands

AS/400 uses this set of commands to manage files (physical and logical) and their members (data within the files). AS400 iSeries Commands such as CRTPF (create physical file) and ADDPFM (add physical file member) fall into this category.

As these commands are the primary interface for system interaction, you must know the important benefits of using commands in AS400 systems.

Moving on, let’s understand why these commands are a must for users.

Why are these AS400 System Commands Essential for AS400 Users?

AS400 (Application System/400) stands out compared to the new computer systems operated through visual interfaces because it relies on text-based commands.

There are multiple reasons why these commands are so crucial for AS/400 users.

Here we have listed a few important reasons.

Direct System Access

AS400 commands provide a simple, direct way to communicate with the system that allows you or your team of users to perform tasks without confusion.

It is useful for routine operations and when the AS400 developers need to be sure of the exact action being performed.

Using commands, AS 400 eliminates the layers of menus and buttons found in GUIs, which can result in minimizing the margin of errors and help in providing desired results.

Automation

With AS400 commands, you can set up scripts to handle tasks that need to be repeated, saving time, and ensuring things are done the same way every time by your team of AS400 programmers.

Automation can also help you maintain consistency and precision to complete tasks that are difficult to perform manually.

Here’s a quick example –

For example, you can automate end-of-day processes, data backups, and system maintenance tasks using IBM i command scripts.

Once these scripts are tested and implemented, they execute the same series of steps reliably every time they’re run.

Repeatability ensures that processes are completed without variation, which reduces the risk of errors that can arise from manual intervention.

Control and Management

The AS/400 commands give you a lot of control over the system, letting your AS400 developer/s manage how they run and change settings in a detailed way.

This control is important for keeping the AS 400 system running smoothly and efficiently.

Through these well-defined commands, you can manage a wide array of system functions, such as:

Starting and stopping jobs

Monitoring system performance

Controlling access to various system resources

These commands can enable your AS400 administrators to adapt to changes in workload or business requirements and implement new processes or modify existing ones, efficiently.

Efficiency

Once your team of AS400 programmers get their hands on AS400 commands, they can simply rely on commands rather than navigating through a multi-step graphical interface.

It increases the response to user input when the programmers are sitting on tight deadlines and must make quick decisions.

IBM AS400 Commands allow for a swift execution of complex sequences that would otherwise take multiple clicks and screen transitions.

The efficiency extends to executing batch jobs, where a single command can initiate a series of actions.

Batch processing

Batch processing using AS400 commands is a powerful feature that enables your team of AS400 programmers to manage large-scale data operations and automate sequences.

You can run these Commands in groups, or in ‘batches,’ which is great for dealing with a large amount of data or performing a series of tasks under time constraints. It helps make the best use of the AS400 system’s resources and your programmer’s time.

Let’s understand it better with the help of an illustration.

For instance, you can automate end-of-day processing for financial transactions, batch updates, or customer records updates without manual intervention.

The reliability of AS/400 in executing these batch commands ensures that processes are completed consistently without errors, which is crucial for maintaining data integrity and operational continuity.

The importance of using commands is immense, but you must ensure your team of AS400 programmers have quick access to a tailored command cheat sheet.

Integrative Systems: Your Trusted Partner for AS400 Command Utilization and Assistance in the USA

AS400 commands are a powerful aspect of system administration and development, offering precision, efficiency, and control.

If your organization wants to leverage the AS/400 system commands to its fullest potential, you must rely on skilled professionals, who know the in and out of the system.

Why Integrative Systems?

Our team of experienced AS400 programmers has a legacy spanning over 25 years and has consistently demonstrated unparalleled expertise and commitment.
We have delivered multiple AS/400 projects to global companies worldwide.
Our vast experience showcases our depth of knowledge and ability to use AS400 commands to their maximum potential.
We offer 24/7 assistance and all types of AS400 services, ensuring your IBM i/AS400 systems run seamlessly.
Whether it’s routine operations, enhancement requests, or addressing critical challenges, we’re always here to help.

Are you ready to get started with your AS/400 project?

Check out our range of AS400 Services: