RPG (Report Program Generator) is a programming language developed by IBM for business computing on the IBM iSeries (formerly AS/400) platform. Originally designed for generating reports, RPG has evolved into a robust, procedural language used to build and maintain enterprise applications, particularly in finance, manufacturing, and supply chain management.
RPG is commonly associated with legacy systems but remains in active use due to its reliability and integration with IBM's operating system, IBM i (OS/400). Modern versions, such as RPG IV (also known as ILE RPG), support free-form syntax, modular programming, and integration with SQL and other modern technologies, allowing organizations to extend and modernize existing applications.
- Develop and maintain business applications on IBM iSeries systems
- Process and manipulate data from physical and logical files
- Integrate with DB2 databases using embedded SQL
- Support batch and interactive transaction processing
- Work with display files and user interfaces in green-screen environments
- Use debugging and performance-tuning tools specific to the IBM i environment
Professionals skilled in RPG are typically found in roles such as systems programmer, application developer, or legacy modernization specialist, especially in industries with long-standing IBM infrastructure. Mastery includes understanding control specifications, data structures, subprocedures, and integration with other IBM i services like PTFs and spool files. Given its niche ecosystem, RPG expertise is often paired with knowledge of CL (Control Language) and IBM i security and job management frameworks.
