Object Details

This page provides detailed information about each supported object type, including all available features and actions.

📦 Save Files (SAVF)

Save files are special file objects used to store saved objects and libraries.

IBM i SQL Services Used

Type	Schema	Name	Purpose
Table Function	`QSYS2`	`SAVE_FILE_INFO`	Retrieve save file metadata and save command
Table Function	`QSYS2`	`SAVE_FILE_OBJECTS`	List objects, members, and spooled files in save file

Features

📊 Display save file contents (objects, members, spooled files, IFS directories)
⬇️ Download save file to local system
⬆️ Upload save file(s) from local system
🗑️ Clear save file contents
💾 Save objects/libraries to save file
📂 Restore objects/libraries from save file

Available Actions

Action	Description
Download	Download the save file to your local system as a binary file
Upload	Upload one or more save files from your local system to IBM i
Save	Save objects, libraries or IFS paths into the save file using SAVOBJ/SAVLIB/SAV
Restore	Restore objects, libraries or IFS paths from the save file using RSTOBJ/RSTLIB/RST
Clear	Clear all contents from the save file

📨 Data Queues (DTAQ)

Data queues are objects used for inter-process communication, allowing programs to send and receive messages asynchronously.

IBM i SQL Services Used

Type	Schema	Name	Purpose
Table Function	`QSYS2`	`DATA_QUEUE_INFO`	Retrieve data queue attributes and configuration
Table Function	`QSYS2`	`DATA_QUEUE_ENTRIES`	List all messages in the data queue
Procedure	`QSYS2`	`CLEAR_DATA_QUEUE`	Clear all messages from the queue
Procedure	`QSYS2`	`SEND_DATA_QUEUE`	Send message to data queue
Procedure	`QSYS2`	`SEND_DATA_QUEUE_UTF8`	Send UTF-8 message to data queue

Features

📊 Display data queue information and attributes
📋 View messages in the queue
➡️ Send new messages to the queue
🗑️ Clear all messages from the queue
🔑 Support for keyed and non-keyed data queues

Available Actions

Action	Description
Send Message	Send a new message to the data queue
Clear Queue	Remove all messages from the data queue

Information Displayed

Queue type (keyed/non-keyed)
Maximum message length
Current number of messages
Maximum number of messages
Sequence (FIFO/LIFO/Keyed)
Force to auxiliary storage setting
All messages with their content and keys (if keyed)

📝 Data Areas (DTAARA)

Data areas are objects that store data that can be accessed by multiple programs.

IBM i SQL Services Used

Type	Schema	Name	Purpose
Table Function	`QSYS2`	`DATA_AREA_INFO`	Retrieve data area type, length, and current value

Features

📊 Display data area information and current value
📋 View data area attributes (type, length, decimal positions)
✏️ Change data area content
🔢 Support for different data area types (*CHAR, *DEC, *LGL)

Available Actions

Action	Description
Change Value	Modify the content of the data area using CHGDTAARA

Information Displayed

Data area type (*CHAR, *DEC, *LGL)
Length and decimal positions (for *DEC)
Current value
Text description

🖨️ Output Queues (OUTQ)

Output queues manage spooled files and printer output.

IBM i SQL Services Used

Type	Schema	Name	Purpose
Table Function	`QSYS2`	`OUTPUT_QUEUE_INFO`	Retrieve output queue status and configuration
Table Function	`QSYS2`	`OUTPUT_QUEUE_ENTRIES`	List all spooled files in the queue
Procedure	`SYSTOOLS`	`DELETE_OLD_SPOOLED_FILES`	Delete spooled files older than specified days
Function	`SYSTOOLS`	`GENERATE_PDF`	Generate PDF from spooled file

Features

📊 Display output queue information and statistics
📋 List all spooled files in a queue with details
⏸️ Hold/Release output queues
🗑️ Clear output queue
▶️ Start/Stop printer writers
📄 Generate PDF from spooled files
🗑️ Delete individual or old spooled files
🎨 Dynamic UI based on queue and writer status

Available Actions

Action	Description
Hold Queue	Hold the output queue (HLDOUTQ)
Release Queue	Release the output queue (RLSOUTQ)
Clear Queue	Clear all spooled files from the queue (CLROUTQ)
Manage Writer	Start or stop printer writers associated with the queue
Delete Old Spools	Delete spooled files older than a specified number of days

Per Spooled File Actions:

Action	Description
Open	Open the spooled file content in a read-only editor
Download	Generate a PDF from the spooled file and download it
Delete	Delete the individual spooled file

Information Displayed

Queue status (held/released)
Number of spooled files
Writer status
List of all spooled files with:
- File name and number
- Job name, user, and number
- Status (ready, held, printing, etc.)
- Pages and copies
- Creation date and time

📋 Job Queues (JOBQ)

Job queues manage batch jobs waiting to be processed.

IBM i SQL Services Used

Type	Schema	Name	Purpose
Table Function	`QSYS2`	`JOB_QUEUE_INFO`	Retrieve job queue status and statistics
Table Function	`QSYS2`	`JOB_INFO`	List all jobs in the queue with details

Features

📊 Display job queue information and statistics
📋 List all jobs in a queue with their details
⏸️ Hold/Release/Clear job queues
⏸️ Hold/Release/End/Debug individual jobs
🔍 Open the WRKJOB view for any job in the queue
🎨 Dynamic UI based on queue and job status

Available Actions

Action	Description
Hold Queue	Hold the job queue (HLDJOBQ)
Release Queue	Release the job queue (RLSJOBQ)
Clear Queue	Clear all jobs from the queue (CLRJOBQ)

Per Job Actions:

Action	Description	Availability
Details	Open the Work with Job (WRKJOB) view for the job	All jobs
Hold	Hold the job (HLDJOB)	Jobs not held
Release	Release the job (RLSJOB)	Held jobs
End	End the job (ENDJOB)	All jobs
Debug	Start a service entry point to debug the job	All jobs

Information Displayed

Queue status (held/released)
Number of jobs
Subsystem information
List of all jobs with:
- Job name, user, and number
- Job status
- Job type
- Priority
- Submission date and time

💾 User Spaces (USRSPC)

User spaces provide temporary or permanent storage for data that can be accessed by multiple programs.

IBM i SQL Services Used

Type	Schema	Name	Purpose
Table Function	`QSYS2`	`USER_SPACE_INFO`	Retrieve user space attributes and configuration
Table Function	`QSYS2`	`USER_SPACE`	Read user space content
Procedure	`QSYS2`	`CHANGE_USER_SPACE`	Modify user space data at specific position

Features

📊 Display user space information and attributes
📋 View user space content (hexadecimal and text representation)
✏️ Change user space data at specific positions
📏 Support for different user space sizes
🔄 Automatic space extension capabilities

Available Actions

Action	Description
Change Data	Modify data at a specific position in the user space

Information Displayed

Current size and initial size
Auto-extend setting
Space value (initial fill character)
Content displayed in both hexadecimal and text format
Offset positions for easy reference

🔑 User Indexes (USRIDX)

User indexes provide fast keyed access to data stored in user-defined entries, similar to a hash table or dictionary.

IBM i SQL Services Used

Type	Schema	Name	Purpose
Table Function	`QSYS2`	`USER_INDEX_INFO`	Retrieve user index attributes and configuration
Table Function	`QSYS2`	`USER_INDEX_ENTRIES`	List all entries with keys and values
Procedure	`QSYS2`	`ADD_USER_INDEX_ENTRY`	Add new entry to user index
Table Function	`QSYS2`	`REMOVE_USER_INDEX_ENTRY`	Remove entries from user index

Features

📊 Display user index information and attributes
📋 View all entries with their keys and values
➕ Add new entries to the user index
🗑️ Remove entries from the user index
🔑 Support for variable-length entries
📏 View entry statistics and index configuration

Available Actions

Action	Description
Add Entry	Add a new key-value entry to the user index
Remove Entry	Remove an entry from the user index by key

Information Displayed

Entry length attributes
Key length
Immediate update setting
Optimization setting
Number of entries
List of all entries with keys and values

📄 Message Files (MSGF)

Message files contain predefined messages used by IBM i applications.

IBM i SQL Services Used

Type	Schema	Name	Purpose
Table Function	`QSYS2`	`MESSAGE_FILE_DATA`	Retrieve all message definitions from message file

Features

📊 Display all messages in the message file
📋 View message details (ID, text, severity, reply type)
📄 First and second level message text
⚙️ Reply type and valid reply values
➕ Add, change and remove message descriptions
🚀 Fast table component for performance with many messages

Available Actions

Action	Description
Add Message Description	Prompt ADDMSGD to add a new message to the message file

Per Message Actions:

Action	Description
Change	Prompt CHGMSGD for the selected message
Delete	Remove the selected message (RMVMSGD) after confirmation

Information Displayed

Message ID
Message severity
First level text
Second level text (help text)
Reply type
Valid reply values
Default reply value

💬 Message Queues (MSGQ)

Message queues store messages sent by programs, system functions, or users, providing communication between jobs.

IBM i SQL Services Used

Type	Schema	Name	Purpose
Table Function	`QSYS2`	`MESSAGE_QUEUE_INFO`	Retrieve all messages in the queue with details
Procedure	`QSYS2`	`SEND_MESSAGE`	Send message to message queue

Features

📊 Display message queue contents with detailed information
📋 View message text (first and second level)
📅 Show message metadata (severity, timestamp, sender job/user)
🗑️ Clear all messages from the queue
📨 Send message to the queue
↩️ Reply to inquiry messages
🚀 Fast table component for performance with many messages

Available Actions

Action	Description
Send Message	Send a new message to the message queue
Clear Queue	Remove all messages from the queue

Per Message Actions:

Action	Description
Reply	Reply to an inquiry message (SNDRPY); shown only for messages awaiting a reply

Information Displayed

Message ID and type
Message severity
Message text (first and second level)
Sender information (job, user, program)
Timestamp
Reply status (for inquiry messages)

🔗 Binding Directories (BNDDIR)

Binding directories contain lists of service programs and modules used during program binding.

IBM i SQL Services Used

Type	Schema	Name	Purpose
Table Function	`QSYS2`	`BINDING_DIRECTORY_INFO`	Retrieve all entries in binding directory
Table Function	`QSYS2`	`PROGRAM_EXPORT_IMPORT_INFO`	Retrieve exported symbols from service programs

Features

📊 Display binding directory entries
📋 View bound objects (library, type, activation)
📅 Creation date and time information
➕ Add new entries to binding directory
🗑️ Delete entries from binding directory
🔍 View exported symbols from service programs

Available Actions

Action	Description
Add Entry	Add a new service program or module to the binding directory (ADDBNDDIRE)

Per Entry Actions:

Action	Description
Remove	Remove the entry from the binding directory (RMVBNDDIRE)

Information Displayed

Object name and library
Object type (*SRVPGM or *MODULE)
Activation group
Creation timestamp
For service programs: list of exported procedures

🔧 Programs (PGM) and Service Programs (SRVPGM)

Programs and service programs are executable objects.

IBM i SQL Services Used

Type	Schema	Name	Purpose
Table Function	`QSYS2`	`PROGRAM_INFO`	Retrieve comprehensive program information
Table Function	`QSYS2`	`BOUND_MODULE_INFO`	List all bound modules
Table Function	`QSYS2`	`BOUND_SRVPGM_INFO`	List all bound service programs
Table Function	`QSYS2`	`PROGRAM_EXPORT_IMPORT_INFO`	Retrieve exported procedures (for *SRVPGM)
Table Function	temporary library	`PGMREFS`	List referenced objects, wrapping the DSPPGMREF command (see References)

Features

📊 Display comprehensive program information
📋 View program attributes and properties
🔗 List bound modules
📦 List bound service programs
🔍 View exported symbols (for service programs)
🐛 Debug data availability information
📅 Creation and compilation information
📚 List referenced objects (DSPPGMREF)
🎨 Multi-tab interface: Detail, Bounds, Exports and References

Information Displayed

Program type and attributes
Activation group
Optimization level
Debug data availability
Creation and compilation timestamps
Source file information
List of bound modules
List of bound service programs
Exported procedures (for *SRVPGM)
Program size and statistics
Referenced objects

🧩 Modules (MODULE)

Modules are compiled ILE objects that contain executable code and can be bound into programs or service programs.

Features

📊 Display comprehensive module information
📋 View module attributes (creation date, source file, compiler options)
📏 Detailed size information (code size, data size, debug data)
🔧 List all procedures defined in the module
🔗 View imported and exported symbols
📦 Display referenced system objects
©️ Show copyright information
📚 List referenced objects (DSPPGMREF)
🎨 Multi-tab interface for organized information display

IBM i Services Used

Type	Schema	Name	Purpose
Command	`QSYS`	`DSPMOD`	Retrieve module details (output to a temporary outfile)
Table Function	temporary library	`PGMREFS`	List referenced objects, wrapping the DSPPGMREF command (see References)

Information Displayed

Module attributes and compiler options
Source file and member information
Creation and compilation timestamps
Size breakdown (code, data, debug)
List of procedures with export status
Imported and exported symbols
Referenced system objects
Copyright information
Referenced objects

⚙️ Commands (CMD)

Command objects define IBM i CL commands.

IBM i SQL Services Used

Type	Schema	Name	Purpose
Table Function	`QSYS2`	`COMMAND_INFO`	Retrieve command definition and attributes

Features

📊 Display command definition
📋 View all command parameters
🔑 Parameter keywords and values
📝 Parameter descriptions
🔢 CCSID information

Information Displayed

Command processing program
Validity checker program
Mode (production/debug)
Threadsafe indicator
Maximum positional parameters
Prompt override program
List of all parameters with:
- Keyword
- Type and length
- Minimum/maximum values
- Default value
- Required/optional status
- Prompt text

📄 Job Descriptions (JOBD)

Job descriptions define the runtime environment for batch jobs.

IBM i SQL Services Used

Type	Schema	Name	Purpose
Table Function	`QSYS2`	`JOB_DESCRIPTION_INFO`	Retrieve job description attributes and configuration

Features

📊 Display job description attributes
📋 View job queue, output queue, and message queue
👤 User profile and initial library list
⚙️ Job attributes and system values
🔧 Routing data and request data
✏️ Change job description parameters

Available Actions

Action	Description
Change	Prompt CHGJOBD for the job description

Information Displayed

Job queue and priority
Output queue and priority
Message queue
User profile
Initial library list
Job date and job switches
Routing data
Request data
Accounting code
Message logging level
Inquiry message reply

📓 Journal Receivers (JRNRCV)

Journal receivers store journal entries for auditing, recovery, and replication purposes.

IBM i SQL Services Used

Type	Schema	Name	Purpose
View	`QSYS2`	`JOURNAL_RECEIVER_INFO`	Retrieve journal receiver attributes and configuration

Features

📊 Display journal receiver information and attributes
📋 View receiver status and statistics
🔢 View sequence number ranges (first/last)
📅 View attachment and detachment timestamps
🔗 View linked receivers (previous/next in chain)
🌐 View remote journal configuration
🔍 View filter settings (objects, images, programs)
💾 View size and threshold information

Information Displayed

Receiver status (online/saved/freed)
Sequence number range
Attachment and detachment timestamps
Associated journal
Previous and next receivers in chain
Size and threshold information
Remote journal configuration
Filter settings

📓 Journals (JRN)

Journals record changes to database files, data areas, and other objects for auditing, recovery, and replication.

IBM i SQL Services Used

Type	Schema	Name	Purpose
View	`QSYS2`	`JOURNAL_INFO`	Retrieve journal configuration and settings
View	`QSYS2`	`JOURNAL_RECEIVER_INFO`	Retrieve receiver chain information
Table Function	`QSYS2`	`DISPLAY_JOURNAL`	Display journal entries using SQL queries

Features

📊 Display journal information and configuration
📋 View journal receiver chain with details
🔗 View attached receiver and receiver statistics
🔢 View sequence number ranges for each receiver
📅 View attachment, detachment, and save timestamps
🌐 View remote journal configuration
🔍 Display journal entries using SQL queries
➕ Generate new journal receivers
💾 View size and threshold information
⚙️ View journal settings (cache, filtering, fixed-length data options)

Available Actions

Action	Description
Generate Receiver	Generate a new journal receiver (CHGJRN JRNRCV(*GEN))
Display Journal	Display journal entries using SQL queries

Information Displayed

Current attached receiver
Journal state and attributes
Receiver chain with all receivers
Sequence number ranges
Attachment and detachment timestamps
Remote journal configuration
Journal settings (cache, filtering, etc.)
Journaled objects

🌐 DDM Files (DDMF)

DDM (Distributed Data Management) files provide access to files on remote systems.

Features

📊 Display DDM file configuration and attributes
🌐 View remote location information (system name/address, port)
🔗 View remote file name and library
⚙️ View access method and file attributes
🔒 View security and connection settings
📋 Support for multi-line field values

Information Displayed

Remote location name
Remote system name or IP address
Remote file name and library
Port number
Access method
Local/remote format
Connection settings
Security settings

🖥️ Subsystem Descriptions (SBSD)

Subsystem descriptions define independent operating environments within IBM i that control how work enters the system and how resources are allocated.

IBM i SQL Services Used

Type	Schema	Name	Purpose
Table Function	`QSYS2`	`SUBSYSTEM_INFO`	Retrieve subsystem status and configuration
Table Function	`QSYS2`	`SUBSYSTEM_POOL_INFO`	Retrieve memory pool configuration
Table Function	`QSYS2`	`AUTOSTART_JOB_INFO`	Retrieve autostart job entries
Table Function	`QSYS2`	`WORKSTATION_INFO`	Retrieve workstation entries
Table Function	`QSYS2`	`ROUTING_ENTRY_INFO`	Retrieve routing entries
Table Function	`QSYS2`	`PRESTART_JOB_INFO`	Retrieve prestart job entries
Table Function	`QSYS2`	`JOB_QUEUE_INFO`	Retrieve job queue entries
Table Function	`QSYS2`	`ACTIVE_JOB_INFO`	Retrieve active jobs in subsystem

Features

📊 Display subsystem information and status (active/inactive)
📋 View memory pools configuration
🚀 View autostart job entries (AJEs)
💻 View workstation entries (WSEs)
📋 View job queue entries (JOBQEs)
🔀 View routing entries (RTGEs)
⚡ View prestart job entries (PJEs)
👥 View active jobs in the subsystem (when active)
▶️ Start subsystem
⏹️ End subsystem with multiple options (*IMMED, *CNTRLD)
⏸️ Hold, release and end individual jobs within the subsystem, or open them in WRKJOB
🎨 Dynamic UI based on subsystem status

Available Actions

Action	Description
Start Subsystem	Start the subsystem (STRSBS)
End Subsystem	End the subsystem with options (IMMED or CNTRLD)

Per Job Actions (active jobs in the subsystem):

Action	Description	Availability
Details	Open the Work with Job (WRKJOB) view for the job	All jobs
Hold	Hold the job (HLDJOB)	Jobs not held
Release	Release the job (RLSJOB)	Held jobs
End	End the job (ENDJOB *IMMED)	All jobs

Information Displayed

Subsystem status (active/inactive)
Memory pools configuration
Autostart job entries
Workstation entries
Job queue entries
Routing entries
Prestart job entries
Active jobs (when subsystem is active)

🎯 Classes (CLS)

Classes define the runtime attributes for batch jobs, controlling how jobs execute and consume system resources.

Features

📊 Display class information and attributes
🎚️ View run priority (1-99, lower number = higher priority)
⏱️ View time slice in milliseconds
💾 View maximum temporary storage allowed
⚡ View maximum CPU time limit
👥 View maximum active threads
⏳ View default wait time for locks
🗑️ View purge eligibility status
📅 View usage statistics (last used date, days used count)

IBM i Services Used

Type	Schema	Name	Purpose
Table Function	temporary library	`CLASS_INFO`	Retrieve class attributes through the QWCRCLSI API (see Components installed by the extension)

Information Displayed

Run priority (1-99)
Time slice (milliseconds)
Default wait time
Maximum CPU time
Maximum temporary storage
Maximum threads
Purge eligibility
Usage statistics

📁 Files (FILE)

File objects include physical files (PF), logical files (LF), views, and indexes that store and organize data.

IBM i SQL Services Used

Type	Schema	Name	Purpose
View	`QSYS2`	`SYSTABLES`	Retrieve table/file metadata and attributes
View	`QSYS2`	`SYSCOLUMNS`	Retrieve column definitions and properties
View	`QSYS2`	`SYSVIEWS`	Retrieve view definition and capabilities
View	`QSYS2`	`SYSTABLESTAT`	Retrieve file statistics (rows, operations, I/O)
View	`QSYS2`	`SYSMEMBERSTAT`	Retrieve member-level statistics
View	`QSYS2`	`SYSINDEXES`	Retrieve index metadata and attributes
View	`QSYS2`	`SYSINDEXSTAT`	Retrieve index statistics and usage metrics
View	`QSYS2`	`SYSKEYS`	Retrieve the key columns of SQL indexes
Table Function	`QSYS2`	`LIBRARY_INFO`	Retrieve the ASP of the library
Table Function	`QSYS2`	`OBJECT_STATISTICS`	Retrieve object-level statistics and information
Table Function	`SYSTOOLS`	`RELATED_OBJECTS`	Retrieve dependent objects (indexes, views, constraints)

Features

📊 Display comprehensive file/table/view/index information
📋 View file attributes (creation date, owner, journaling status, CCSID)
📈 View detailed statistics (row counts, operations, I/O metrics)
👥 Display file members with their statistics
🧭 Display columns and data types, with key position and uniqueness
🔑 Display the key columns of SQL indexes
🔗 Show dependent objects (indexes, views, constraints)
🔍 Query file contents using SQL SELECT (physical and logical files only)
📄 View view definitions and capabilities
🎯 Support for both DDS and SQL-based files
🎨 Multi-tab interface for organized information display

Available Actions

Action	Description
Query File	Execute a SQL SELECT statement to view file contents (physical and logical files only)

Information Displayed

File type (PF, LF, view, index)
File attributes and creation information
Record format and CCSID
Journaling status
Number of members and records
File statistics (reads, writes, updates, deletes)
Column definitions with data types
Key columns (for indexes)
File members with statistics
Dependent objects (indexes, views, constraints)
View definition (for views)

🔍 Query Definitions (*QRYDFN)

Query definitions are objects created by Query/400 or Query Manager that define database queries.

Features

📊 Automatic translation to SQL - Opening the object retrieves the query definition and shows the equivalent SQL statement directly in a read-only text editor (no webview)
🔗 Automatic file reference conversion (LIB/FILE → LIB.FILE)
🔍 Full VS Code find and SQL syntax highlighting on the generated statement

Information Displayed

The query definition is automatically translated to an equivalent SQL SELECT statement, making it easier to understand and potentially migrate to SQL-based queries.

References

Programs, service programs and modules have a References tab listing the objects they reference, the same information returned by the DSPPGMREF command:

Referenced object (library/name) and type
Source name
Record format and record format count
File usage
Level check ID
Field count

Components installed by the extension

Some information is not available through IBM i SQL services, so the extension registers these SQL routines as Code for IBM i components. They are installed automatically in the temporary library (ILEDITOR by default), and the table functions are checked against their signature:

Component	Type	Used by	Purpose
`PGMREFS`	Table Function	`PGM`, `SRVPGM`, `*MODULE`	Wraps the DSPPGMREF command (original SQL by Bob Cozzi)
`QWCRCLSI`	Procedure	`*CLS`	External procedure over the QWCRCLSI (Retrieve Class Information) API
`CLASS_INFO`	Table Function	`*CLS`	Returns the attributes of a class, combining `QWCRCLSI` with `QSYS2.OBJECT_STATISTICS`