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Learn AS400 Using F1 Help

This is one of the most effective tips for us as beginners at AS400. Even I, who have been drowning in AS400 for several years, still often use Help. With the F1-Help function we can understand the information from the commands, parameters or pages that we are currently using. Before we discuss Help, here are the requirements for Help to be used by users:

  1. License Program – Online Information (product option 2) is installed with * COMPATIBLE status.
  2. The QHLPSYS library was the user library list that is used.

Check License Program

Type GO LICPGM in the command line then press Enter.
Type opt 10 in the command line and then press Enter, to Display installed licensed programs.
Ensure Licensed Programs Online Information installed with *COMPATIBLE status.

Check User Library List

Type DSPLIBL in the command line then press Enter.
Ensure QHLPSYS exist in the library list.

If both of these requirements are met, then we can use the help function on AS400. The AS400 Help function can be used by pressing the F1 key in the section that we want to know about. For example, on the MAIN menu page. Hover your cursor (shown in the figure with a red underline) in the command line or in the header of the IBM i Main Menu page then press F1.

Help appears from the IBM I Main Menu which contains an explanation of the page (press page down to go to the next page).

Hover your cursor towards the options menu, then the help will come out according to the options that we want to know.

Ex. hover at option 1. User tasks and press F1.
Help information specific for option 1 will appear.

Begitu juga ketika kita akan menggunakan command. Jika memang command tersebut baru kita tahu dan ingin tau fungsinya apa dan parameter apa saja yang dapat diisi. Misalkan command WRKOBJ, berikut caranya:

Likewise when we will use the command, if the it’s new command we want to know what functions and what parameters can be filled. For example the WRKOBJ command, here’s how:

Type WRKOBJ in the command line and press F4 = Prompt.
Hover your cursor one by one according to the picture to check the Help function and read the description.

Note: Not all commands or pages have Help Guidance, it depends on the program or the command provides help function or not. For all commands and menus built in, the system usually provides help functions. But if our AS400 has another command or menu from 3rd parties or applications outside of IBM, there may be no help function in that command or menu.

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