Information Systems:IBM i Commands

General Information

As a rule (of course there are exceptions), commands are made up of three character abbreviations; usually the first letter, then the next two consonants. For example, ‘work with active jobs’ is WRKACTJOB (there aren’t two consonants in JOB after the first letter). An exception is that ‘file’ is typically just ‘F’; as in WRKSPLF (work with spool files), and CPYF (copy file).

This makes it possible for you to guess a command. For example, perhaps you want to send someone a message. The code for this is ‘MSG’. All related commands are grouped together on menus, which are named ‘CMD’ plus the code. So to see all message commands, key in GO CMDMSG and press enter.

When you find what you think is the correct command, key in that menu option and press enter. The command will not be executed; its prompt screen will be displayed. Move the cursor to the name of the command (first line on the screen), and press F1. This will tell you what the command does, and what parameters are needed. Make sure to use F12 to exit back to the menu – not Enter – if you don’t want to execute the command.

Common IBMi Commands

Here is a list of common IBMi commands that may come in handy if there is a need to move through the system to address any issues:

 WRKACTJOB               (Work with active jobs)
 WRKJOBSCDE              (Work with job schedule entries)
 WRKSPLF		 (Work with all spool files)
 WRKJOBQ		 (Work with all job queues)
 WRKMSG                  (Work with messages)
 WRKMSG username         (Work with messages from a specific user)
 WRKMSG QSYSOPR          (Work with system messages)
 DSPMSGD MESSAGEID       (Displays a detailed look at a specific message)
 STRDFU (PRESS F4)       (Starts DFU)