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

[Jon Paris <jon.paris@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

100% agreed.

The danger of course of using /Includes is that you can forget to recompile one of the using programs end up with multiple versions of the routine active. Not to mention the loss of efficiency of memory usage.


Jon Paris
Jon.Paris@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx



> On Mar 20, 2026, at 5:13 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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