Re: RPG Service Program vs Include Source for Shared Subprocedures and SQL Calls

I also lean heavily toward *SRVPGMs - simply because you can update them without recompiling all programs.

Example: You find a small error or want to add some functionality in one of your procedures.

With /COPY or /INCLUDE you will have to recompile everything. With a *SRVPGM you simply recompile and bind this, and the programs will use the new version (after the activation group is "reloaded").

HTH
Daniel

Am 20.03.2026 um 22:21 schrieb Charles Wilt <charles.wilt@xxxxxxxxx>:

99.99% of the time, *SRVPGM is the right way to do it..

I've heard of, but not run into, circumstances where /INCLUDE executable
code was needed.
Some specific security check IIRC.

Too many places /INCLUDE executable code because they are afraid of and/or
don't understand *SRVPGMs.

Charles

On Fri, Mar 20, 2026 at 3:13 PM Richard Schoen <richard@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:

Hi All,

In the Python, Java and .Net world I usually create Python classes, jar
files or DLLs to contain shared functionality.

Because most IBMi shops have an interesting mix of RPG code bases I'm
trying to determine whether I should create a service program or use
includes for shared functionality at a customer site.

With service programs, write once, bind and use everywhere.

With copy books, just include on-the-fly.

In the past I've leaned towards copybooks, but I'm curious what others
think. I'm a little cautious of burying SQL functionality into one or more
service programs.

Real-world thoughts appreciated.

Thanks

Regards,
Richard Schoen
Web: http://www.richardschoen.net
Email: richard@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:richard@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>

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