"How to Learn RDi"
Experience has shown that those who invest in learning the product get a quick return on their money as well as much happier productive developers.
- There are a lot of on-line resources for teaching yourself RDi included here:
- Online Educational Resources
- A number of vendors provide distance and on-premise training:
- Training Partners
- There are a number of conferences and venues to get live training from such as COMMON and local user groups.
Online Educational Resources
RDi Documentation
| Description | URL |
|---|---|
| IBM Support Portal | https://www.ibm.com/mysupport/s/topic/0TO0z0000006uu7GAA/rational-developer?language=en_US&productId=01t0z000007g71QAAQ |
| RDi IBM Documentation | https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/SSAE4W |
| RDi help can be local to improve speed and avoid firewall issues. | Also see: How to switch to local help |
Active Communities that support RDi
| Community | URL |
|---|---|
| DeveloperWorks RDi Hub Forum | http://ibm.biz/rdi_forum |
| WDSCi-l @ Midrange.com - very active |
Tutorials that you can follow
| Tutorial | URL |
|---|---|
| Hands-on RDi labs | |
| Welcome Page in the RDi product | From the Help menu, select Welcome Select First Steps |
| Cheat Sheets in the RDi product | From the Help menu, select Cheat Sheets... |
Videos and presentations you can learn from
Relevant articles
| Description | URL |
|---|---|
| New Code Coverage feature | http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/library/d-code-coverage-tools-rational-developer-i/index.html |
| Refactoring by the Guru | https://www.itjungle.com/2018/04/16/guru-rdi-and-refactoring/ https://www.itjungle.com/2018/05/07/guru-refactoring-into-routines/ |
| Debugger overview | http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/rational/library/debugger-rational-developer-power-systems-software/index.html |
| Stored Procedure Debugger using Data Studio | http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/ibmi/library/i-debugger-db2-i/index.html?ca=dat- |
Hands-on Labs
Try out the Rational Developer for i product with hands-on exercises that step you through real-world scenarios.
Client System Requirements:
The labs require IBM Rational Developer for IBM i (RDi) to be installed on your workstation. If you do not yet have this, you can download it for free from http://ibm.biz/rdi_trial.
Host System Requirements:
Here is a savefile which provides the RSELABxx library used by the labs: rselabxx.savf.
Scripted, hands-on exercises:
Lab 01 - Getting started: Lab01_RDi_intro.pdf Note: in Section 1, the IBM i demonstration server is no longer available. Use the rselabxx.savf for the host requirements. | This lab needs to be done first. All other labs can be done in any order. |
Lab 02 - Edit RPG applications - fixed form variant: Lab02_RDi_editing.pdf Lab 02 - Edit RPG applications - free form variant: Lab02_RDi_editing - FreeForm.pdf | Either fixed or free form variant of this lab can be done. The free form variant requires V7R1 or later. |
Lab 03 - Verify and compiler RPG applications: Lab03_RDi_compile.pdf | |
| Lab 04 - Debugging IBM i programs: Lab04_RDi_debug.pdf | |
| Lab 05 - Design DDS screens graphically: Lab05_RDi_screen_designer.pdf | |
| Lab 06 - Use the Application Diagram Viewer: Lab06_RDi_application_diagram.pdf | |
| Lab 07 - Customize the Remote Systems Explorer: Lab07_RDi_advanced_topics.pdf | |
| Lab 08 - Work with offline projects: Lab08_RDi_working_offline.pdf | |
| Lab 09 - Work with Report Designer: Lab09_RDi_report_designer.pdf | |
| Lab 10 - Code Coverage analysis of tests: Lab10_RDi_code_coverage.pdf | Use Code Coverage to see exactly which lines are covered by your testing. |
Useful links:
Purchase Rational Developer for i
Training Partners
| Training Provider | URL | Description |
| Partner400 | www.Partner400.com | Hands on training in all aspects of RDi, RPG, SQL, and more. |
| Central Park Data | Charles Guarino is a professional speaker and trainer who provides training is onsite or at remote locations. | |
| EASI | EASI Training | Practical workshops for new or experienced IBM i developers in all aspects of RDi, RPGLE, Db2 SQL, provide and consume web services on IBM i and ARCAD tools in Dutch, French, or English. |
| PKS Software GmbH | www.pks.de | Hands-on training in all aspects of RDi, RPG, SQL, and more. |
| Strongback Consulting | www.strongback.us | Adoption planning, implementation, and training of RDi along with source code management tools such as Team Concert, and ARCAD. Training can be delivered remote, or on site. |
| Theo Baer, IT Consulting / Training | www.edv-baer.com | Hands-on training in all aspects of RDi, RPG, SQL, WebQuery, EGL, and more. |
| ComCon | www.comconadvisor.com | Hand-on training for i developers - RDi, RPG, ILE, SQL, PHP and more |
| ASIST | www.asist.be | Hands-on training in all aspects of RDi, RTC, ARCAD tooling. Can be in English, French or Dutch. |
| Volubis | www.volubis.fr | Training in all aspects of RDi, RPG, SQL, and IBM i in general, in French language/cours en Français. |
| ATS Automated Training Systems Ltd (UK) | iSeries Training available on all aspects of the iSeries from Introduction, Operations, CL, RPG, SQL, and RDi Both self-study and instructor led courses on RDi. Other classes also available as listed here | |
| Binary Computer Services | www.binarycomputer.co.uk | Hands-on training in all aspects of RDi, RPG, SQL, WebQuery, PHP and more |
| Sirius Computer Solutions | ||
| Oxford International | ||
| Royal Cyber | http://www.royalcyber.com/ | |
| Sierra Training | www.sierra.co.uk | System i instructor led training on RDi, RPG, SQL, CL, and all aspects of development and support. |
imPower Technologies LLC | impowertechnologies.com | Online Class - Learn RDi, RPG Free, SQL, Procedures, Modules, and Service programs. Includes weekly meet-ups, how-to videos, and sample programs. Prepare your new developer for the COMMON Associate Application Developer - RPG Certification Speaking sessions and Schedule Corporate onsite training - Contact Us! |