RE: Ideas to get a serial number

["Walden H. Leverich" <WaldenL@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

>...store the serial number in an iSeries physical file 
>and retrieve it via SQL Select statement (ODBC query). 
>Some VB developers return values using stored procedures, 
>also run through an ODBC connection.

That was the first thing that came to my mind too, but I assume when he
says "avoid using _any_ Series Access..." he's including the ODBC
driver, especially since IBM wants you to install the world to get it.

Since you're willing to put code on the iSeries (the RPG program) how
about just adding a sockets server that listens for a request and
returns the response. Connecting to the socket from VB isn't trivial,
but it's not hard. Consider using VB.NET? Then sockets are trivial.

-Walden

------------
Walden H Leverich III
President & CEO
Tech Software
(516) 627-3800 x11
WaldenL@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://www.TechSoftInc.com

Quiquid latine dictum sit altum viditur.
(Whatever is said in Latin seems profound.)