IBM Rational Developer for i (RDi)
Tips
Prepare to re-learn how to use software, because the RDi interface sucks.
- There is no View menu. Instead, look in the Window menu
- Looking for Settings/Preferences? That's in the Window menu, too.
- Many options are poorly or vaguely named, so prepare to read the user manual just to learn how to do simple tasks.
- The menu option “Convert all to free-form” (under the Source menu) DOES ABSOLUTELY NOTHING
- Correction. It displays a “Conversion complete” message, but it doesn't actually convert any code.
- What the hell is File > Restart supposed to do?
- Let's check the Help menu
- Well, crap, the Help Contents includes the programming references for RPG, Java, JavaScript, and a bunch of other junk. So, searching for restart brings up 72 hits
- Wait, there's a “scope” option. Maybe that will narrow down the search. Nope, that's empty. What's this “New” button for? Let's try it. OK, I can select RPG. Nope, that only brings up one print-related hit. Oh, well, I guess I'll have to research that option later. If I have time. And if my curiosity outweighs my distaste for poorly designed software.
Reformat rpg-free code
- Ctrl+Shift+F will sometimes re-format your RPG free-format logic.
- it often does absolutely nothing
- when it does work, it only works on calcs (c-specs)
Indenting existing code
- Alt-R (for Rectangle Selection Mode)
- Select the block to indent/move
- Alt+F7 moves left
- Alt+F8 moves right
- Alt+U deselects
Indenting existing code using tabs
- For RPG, RDi has a silly default of just moving the cursor when tabbing
Discussion