In this section, we will guide you through the process of setting up your environment to start working with Control Language (CL). This involves installing the necessary software, configuring your system, and ensuring that everything is ready for you to write and execute CL programs.

Before we begin, let's outline the basic requirements for setting up your CL environment:

• Operating System: CL is primarily used on IBM i (formerly known as AS/400 or iSeries) systems. Ensure you have access to an IBM i system.
• Access to IBM i: You need a user account with appropriate permissions to create and execute CL programs.
• Development Tools: Tools like IBM i Access Client Solutions (ACS) or Rational Developer for i (RDi) can be used for development.

IBM i Access Client Solutions (ACS) is a Java-based interface that provides various tools for managing and developing on IBM i systems. Follow these steps to install ACS:

1. Download ACS:

   • Visit the IBM website and download the latest version of IBM i Access Client Solutions.
   • Ensure you download the version compatible with your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux).

2. Install ACS:

   • Extract the downloaded file to a desired location on your computer.
   • Navigate to the extracted folder and run the acslaunch executable file.

3. Configure ACS:

   • Launch ACS and configure the connection to your IBM i system.
   • Enter the IP address or hostname of your IBM i system and your user credentials.

Rational Developer for i (RDi) is an integrated development environment (IDE) for developing applications on IBM i. Here’s how to set it up:

1. Download RDi:

   • Visit the IBM website and download the latest version of Rational Developer for i.
   • Ensure you have the necessary licenses to use RDi.

2. Install RDi:

   • Follow the installation instructions provided by IBM to install RDi on your system.
   • During installation, you may need to specify the installation directory and accept the license agreements.

3. Configure RDi:

   • Launch RDi and configure the connection to your IBM i system.
   • Create a new connection by specifying the IP address or hostname of your IBM i system and your user credentials.

After installing and configuring the necessary tools, it’s important to verify that everything is working correctly. Follow these steps to ensure your environment is set up properly:

1. Connect to IBM i:

   • Open ACS or RDi and connect to your IBM i system using the configured connection.
   • Ensure you can log in with your user credentials.

2. Create a Simple CL Program:

   • In ACS or RDi, create a new source file for your CL program.

   • Write a simple CL program, such as:

     PGM
     DCL VAR(&MSG) TYPE(*CHAR) LEN(50)
     CHGVAR VAR(&MSG) VALUE('Hello, World!')
     SNDPGMMSG MSG(&MSG)
     ENDPGM
     

3. Compile and Run the Program:

   • Save the source file and compile the CL program.
   • Execute the program and verify that it runs successfully, displaying the message "Hello, World!".

Here are some common issues you might encounter and how to resolve them:

• Connection Issues: Ensure that the IP address or hostname of your IBM i system is correct and that your user credentials are valid.
• Permission Issues: Verify that your user account has the necessary permissions to create and execute CL programs.
• Compilation Errors: Check the syntax of your CL program and ensure there are no typos or missing commands.

By following the steps outlined in this section, you should have successfully set up your environment for developing and executing CL programs. You are now ready to dive into the world of Control Language and start writing your own programs. In the next section, we will cover the basic syntax and structure of CL programs.