Top 15 New Hot Jobs Opportunity :: RPG Developer Quick Overview

RPG Developer

An RPG Developer is a software programmer or developer who specializes in working with the RPG (Report Program Generator) programming language. RPG is a high-level programming language commonly associated with the IBM AS/400 (now known as IBM i) and IBM Power Systems environments. RPG is primarily used for developing business applications, particularly those involving data processing and reporting.

Key responsibilities and tasks of an RPG Developer include:

1. Application Development: RPG Developers create and maintain software applications using RPG as the primary programming language. These applications often handle critical business processes like inventory management, order processing, and financial transactions.
2. Report Generation: RPG was originally designed for generating reports, and RPG Developers are skilled in creating complex reports and documents. They use RPG’s built-in report-writing capabilities to produce formatted output.
3. Data Manipulation: RPG is known for its strong support for data manipulation. RPG Developers work with databases and files, performing tasks like data retrieval, insertion, updating, and deletion.
4. Integration: They integrate RPG applications with other systems, databases, and technologies to ensure seamless data flow and interoperability.
5. Maintenance and Debugging: RPG Developers are responsible for debugging and maintaining existing RPG applications. This includes identifying and fixing issues, enhancing functionality, and ensuring that applications remain compatible with evolving business requirements.
6. Code Optimization: They optimize RPG code for performance and efficiency. This may involve improving algorithms, reducing resource consumption, and enhancing the overall responsiveness of applications.
7. User Interface (UI) Development: While RPG is not typically associated with modern web-based user interfaces, RPG Developers may work on creating user-friendly text-based or green-screen interfaces for AS/400 and IBM i applications.
8. Documentation: Maintaining documentation for RPG applications, including code comments, system documentation, and user guides.
9. Collaboration: RPG Developers often collaborate with other IT professionals, including database administrators, system administrators, and business analysts, to ensure that RPG applications meet business needs and adhere to best practices.
10. Migration and Modernization: In some cases, RPG Developers may be involved in migrating or modernizing legacy RPG applications to more contemporary technologies and platforms.

It’s important to note that RPG comes in different versions and variations, including RPG II, RPG III, RPG IV (also known as RPGLE), and RPG Free-Form. RPG IV and RPG Free-Form are the more modern and versatile versions of the language, offering object-oriented programming features and greater flexibility compared to earlier versions.

RPG Developers typically have a strong understanding of the specific IBM system and environment they work with, as well as a deep knowledge of RPG language constructs and development tools. They play a crucial role in maintaining and enhancing business-critical applications in organizations that rely on IBM i and related systems.