Bootcamp

IBM i Developer Bootcamp

A comprehensive 3-week programme delivered over 3 months, giving your staff time to digest each topic and apply new skills in the workplace between sessions. The bootcamp takes teams from IBM i fundamentals through to modern ILE and open source development — everything a professional IBM i developer needs.

Duration: 3 Weeks
Audience: Development Staff
Level: Beginner to Intermediate

What's Covered

Six core subject areas spanning the full IBM i developer skill set

IBM i Introduction

An essential grounding in the IBM i platform — its architecture, object model, library system, job structure and how it differs from other operating systems. Students will become comfortable navigating the green-screen environment and understanding the IBM i philosophy before moving on to programming.

Development Tools

Hands-on coverage of the tools every IBM i developer relies on — including IBM Rational Developer for i (RDi), VS Code, IBM i Access for Client Solutions, PDM, SEU and modern open-source tooling. Students learn how to set up an efficient development environment and manage source code effectively.

CL Programming

Control Language (CL) is the scripting backbone of IBM i. This module teaches students to write CL programs and procedures for job control, automation, system interaction, and error handling, skills that underpin almost every IBM i application environment.

RPG/400 Programming

A thorough introduction to the original RPG/400 language — the fixed-format cycle, file I/O, indicators and data structures. Understanding RPG/400 gives developers the context needed to maintain legacy applications and confidently transition to modern RPG styles.

RPG IV Programming

Move beyond RPG/400 into the free-format, fully featured RPG IV language. Topics include free-format specifications, built-in functions, subprocedures, service programs and modern data manipulation techniques. All the skills required for all new IBM i application development.

ILE & Open Source

Explore the Integrated Language Environment (ILE) — binding, activation groups and modular programming concepts. Then step into IBM i open source: using Git, Node.js, Python and other tools available via IBM i open-source package management to build modern, integrated solutions.

3-Week Programme Structure

Carefully sequenced to build knowledge week by week

Week 1

Platform & Tools Foundations

  • IBM i architecture & object model
  • Library system & IFS overview
  • Job structure & subsystems
  • Setting up RDi & IBM i Access
  • PDM, SEU and source management
  • Introduction to CL programming
Week 2

CL & RPG/400 Programming

  • Advanced CL — error handling & automation
  • RPG/400 fixed-format cycle
  • File I/O & indicators
  • Data structures & arrays
  • Subroutines & control flow
  • Practical workshops & exercises
Week 3

RPG IV, ILE & Open Source

  • Free-format RPG IV specifications
  • Built-in functions & subprocedures
  • ILE binding & service programs
  • Activation groups & modular design
  • IBM i open source — Git, Node.js, Python
  • Final project & consolidation workshop

Why Choose FormaServe for Your Bootcamp?

With over 35 years of IBM i training experience, FormaServe has built a reputation for delivering practical, instructor-led programmes that get developers productive fast. We helped write IBM's official IBM i Developer certification exams and authored IBM's own getting started course — so your team learns from the very people who shaped the curriculum.

Courses never cancelled once scheduled — even for a single student

All materials developed on a learning by example methodology

Can be delivered on-site at your premises or remotely using Microsoft Teams

Aligned to the IBM i Developer certification exam objectives

Our instructors have authored 2 IBM Redbooks on IBM i development topics

Each course is limited to up to 10 students so every individual can be supported throughout

What Our Bootcamp Students Say

Feedback from our most recent IBM i Developer Bootcamp

"Andy made the IBM i concepts understandable, going from the very beginning and fundamentals through Control Language, RPG400, CL, RPG, RPGLE, CLLE and IFS and DB2 management. The course was very dynamic and enjoyable. Found it resourceful to polish my knowledge about the IBM i world."

Adrian Sartini

IBM i Developer Bootcamp

"Outstanding training. Andy is such a good teacher and extremely knowledgeable. I learned so much from this course and it was genuinely enjoyable throughout. The training materials were kept simple and easy to read and the training sessions were really well structured, with just the right amount of theory and practical exercises. You can really tell Andy is passionate about what he does and I can't recommend this enough!"

Riccardo Foti

IBM i Developer Bootcamp

"Andy was a very good tutor and tailored the training around individual needs. The course content was very in depth and covered all areas of AS/400 and programming in RPG."

Joe Carter

IBM i Developer Bootcamp

Ready to Upskill Your Team?

Get in touch to discuss dates, on-site delivery options, or a bespoke version of the bootcamp tailored to your organisation's needs.

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