Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Jim Buck
Programming in ILE RPG - Controlling Program Workflow, Selection and Iteration Operations
This series focuses on program design and introduces you to ILE RPG operations that let you write well-designed programs by using a top-down, structured approach, including Selection and Iteration Operations. By Brian Meyers and Jim Buck Editor's Note: This article is excerpted from chapter 5 of Programming in ILE RPG, Fifth Edition.
Programming in ILE RPG - Controlling Program Workflow, Part 1
This series focuses on program design and introduces you to ILE RPG operations that let you write well-designed programs by using a top-down, structured approach. Loops, decision logic, and subroutines receive special attention. The sries applies these design principles by teaching you how to code control break problems. By Brian Meyers and Jim Buck Editor's Note: This article is excerpted from chapter 5 of Programming in ILE RPG, Fifth Edition.
Your view: State betrays trust of Clallam County taxpayers
By Jim Buck For Peninsula Daily News Saturday, August 23, 2025 1:30am Opinion CLALLAM COUNTY TAXPAYERS are victims of Olympia politics once again. A front-page story in the May 8, 1936, edition of the Port Angeles Evening News reported “Clallam County’s board of commissioners this morning signed a deed turning over to the state division of forestry 26,531 acres of county-owned land.” In that story, Assistant State Forester L. T.
Changes to Forest & Fish Law: WA should follow the science when it comes to waterway rules | Con Op-Ed
In 1999, Washington state built a forest management framework that balances environmental protection with economic stability. It’s called the Forests & Fish Law, and it was forged through collaboration — we both were primary co-sponsors — and based on ongoing scientific analysis. Today, those rules are being rewritten without any consideration of alternatives; as a consequence, we will lose the trust of property owners who have given up billions of dollars to protect the environment.
Introduction to Runtime Arrays in ILE RPG
Details 01 July 2025 RPG Typography Smaller Small Medium Big Bigger Default Helvetica Segoe Georgia Times Reading Mode Please Rate Get to know the runtime array, a handy structure for storing data used during an ILE RPG program’s execution Editor’s Note: This article is excerpted from chapter 11 of Programming in ILE RPG: Fifth Edition, by Bryan Meyers and Jim Buck. An array is a grouping of data that contains multiple elements, all defined with a common name.
Case Study: How One IBM i Shop Is Resolving Tech Debt with Education and Code-Conversion Software
Technical debt can be daunting, especially when it involves updating old code or migrating to a new environment. Many IBM i shops face significant challenges in addressing technical debt that stifles innovation and modernization. However, the path to resolving these issues may be more straightforward than it seems.
IBM i Shops: Why It’s Time to Resolve Technical Debt to Increase Revenue
We hear a lot about technical debt in the IBM i industry publications, especially as it pertains to modernization and bringing businesses into the 21st century. Upon reviewing many articles IBM i technical debt and performing our own discussions with IBM i shops, it’s clear that technical debt is a big concern, impacting business growth and revenue and talent acquisition.
Programming in ILE RPG - Defining Data Structures, Part II
In addition to named constants and standalone variables, you can define data structures, which are simply a means of organizing multiple variables within a single section of contiguous portions of memory. Miss the previous excerpts regarding using declarations? Read each here: Part 1 & Part 2 &Part 3 Editor's Note: This article is excerpted from chapter 4 of Programming in ILE RPG, Fifth Edition.
Programming in ILE RPG - Defining Data Structures, Part I
Node.js on IBM i Webinar Series Pt. 2: Setting Up Your Development Tools Have you been wondering about Node.js? Our free Node.js Webinar Series takes you from total beginner to creating a fully-functional IBM i Node.js business application. You can find Part 1 here. In Part 2 of our free Node.js Webinar Series, Brian May teaches you the different tooling options available for writing code, debugging, and using Git for version control.
POINT OF VIEW: Managed forests critical to healthy, resilient forestlands
By Jim Buck and Jim Hargrove Point of View Saturday, September 7, 2024 1:30am Opinion AS FORMER STATE legislators, we’ve been on the front lines of the work to both protect our natural environment and advocate for a vibrant timber industry that benefits Clallam County residents. Thanks to bipartisan reform efforts and collaboration with Washington’s tribes, stringent and sustainable forest management is something all Washingtonians can take pride in.
Programming in ILE RPG - Defining Standalone Variables
The concept of the named constant is closely associated with the concept of a literal. Miss the introduction to using declarations? Read it here: Part 1 By Brian Meyers and Jim Buck Editor's Note: This article is excerpted from chapter 4 of Programming in ILE RPG, Fifth Edition. A literal is a means of noting a fixed value (e.g., a number, a character string, or a date). For example, the number 789 is a literal, as is the character string ‘September’.
Programming in ILE RPG - Using Declarations
ILE RPG requires that you declare (define) all the files, variables, and other data items used in your program. By Brian Meyers and Jim Buck Editor's Note: This article is excerpted from chapter 4 of Programming in ILE RPG, Fifth Edition. You must name all the files and instruct the compiler how the program is to use them. In addition, you must name all the other data items and specify their attributes.
Programming in ILE RPG - Creating and Using Files: Output Editing
Output editing refers to formatting output values by suppressing leading zeros and adding special characters—such as decimal radix characters, thousands separators, and currency symbols—to make the values easier for people looking at the output to comprehend Editor's Note: This article is excerpted from chapter 3 of Programming in ILE RPG, Fifth Edition.
Programming in ILE RPG - Externally Described Printer Files
In addition to allowing the external definition of database files, ILE RPG lets you define reports externally. Editor's Note: This article is excerpted from chapter 3 of Programming in ILE RPG, Fifth Edition. Externally describing printer files offers many of the same benefits as externally describing database files. In particular, this method lets you change a report format without changing the source code of the program that produces the report—a wise approach to application maintenance.
Programming in ILE RPG - DDS Database Concepts
While most recent database objects are created by using SQL, many files are still defined by using DDS. The procedure for creating database file definitions with DDS is similar to that of creating an RPG program. Editor's Note: This article is excerpted from chapter 3 of Programming in ILE RPG, Fifth Edition. The first step is to use an editor, such as the RDi LPEX editor, to create a source member of definition statements.
Programming in ILE RPG - Creating and Using Files: Creating Views and Indexes with SQL
Details Jim Buck Programming 04 April 2023 RPG SQL views provide alternative ways of accessing the data in a table. Editor's Note: This article is excerpted from chapter 3 of Programming in ILE RPG, Fifth Edition. Although a program can retrieve and process virtual rows from a view, the view does not actually contain data. Instead, it stores an access path, a sequence of pointers to the actual data in one or more tables.
A Moment with Carol Woodbury: Pen Testing Introduction
Use the DISPLAY_JOURNAL table function on QAUDJRN to answer a very common question. By Joe Pluta An area I deal with regularly is change management. We promote programs from a development machine to a production machine, and one of the regular tasks is to make sure those objects are in sync, which requires comparing objects across machines.
iCON - WMCPA Spring Conference 2023
We've now covered the most relevant aspects of SQL, providing practical and actionable information about SQL’s main topics. This article sums up the series to this point and contains links to the articles corresponding to the topics mentioned. By Rafael Victoria Pereira The database is so integrated into IBM i that you can program for years without having to explicitly use SQL. RPG provides native operation codes to manipulate data and uses “native” names for the data objects it handles.
iCON - WMCPA Spring Conference 2023
When it comes to creating your business applications, there are hundreds of coding platforms and programming languages to choose from. By LANSA, an Idera, Inc. Company Editor's Note: This article is excerpted from the white paper, The Power of Writing Code in a Low-Code Solution available for download in the MC Press White Paper Center. These options range from very complex, traditional programming languages to low-code platforms where sometimes no traditional coding experience is needed.
iCON - WMCPA Spring Conference 2023
IBM Security today released its annual X-Force Threat Intelligence Index finding that although ransomware's share of incidents declined only slightly (4 percentage points) from 2021 to 2022, defenders were more successful detecting and preventing ransomware. Despite this, attackers continued to innovate with the report showing the average time to complete a ransomware attack dropped from 2 months down to less than 4 days.
Creating and Using Files: Data Types and Data Storage
You must assign a data type to each column in a table. By Brian Meyers and Jim Buck Editor's Note: This article is excerpted from chapter 3 of Programming in ILE RPG, Fifth Edition. The column’s data type determines how its values are stored, how much storage the column occupies, and what kinds of operations can be performed on the column when it is used within a program.
iCON - WMCPA Spring Conference 2023
Use the DISPLAY_JOURNAL table function on QAUDJRN to answer a very common question. By Joe Pluta An area I deal with regularly is change management. We promote programs from a development machine to a production machine, and one of the regular tasks is to make sure those objects are in sync, which requires comparing objects across machines.
iCON - WMCPA Spring Conference 2023
Getting Started: Sections & a Sample of ILE RPG Programs Part one addresses the introduction to the sections of an ILE RPG program. It also illustrates how to write a simple file read/write program by using a procedural approach, as well as how to include comments within your programs as documentation. By Brian Meyers and Jim Buck Editor's Note: This article is excerpted from chapter 2 of Programming in ILE RPG, Fifth Edition.
iCON - WMCPA Spring Conference 2023
In the pursuit to modernize, financial institutions are finding themselves in an arms race against cybercriminals to defend their digital frontlines from much more bolder and sophisticated schemes. We know the impact of a security breach can be severe in terms of financial cost, reputational damage, and loss of customer trust. However, innovation cannot be stalled with increased market competition as consumers demand faster, more efficient digital experiences.
Lawmakers’ neglect of school seismic safety risks children’s lives
Jan. 11, 2022 at 2:59 pm Updated Jan. 11, 2022 at 2:59 pm By Special to The Times The 2022 Legislative session started this week with nearly a billion dollars of surplus revenue. It’s no surprise the money is burning a hole in Olympia’s pocket. It seems everyone in town has a pet project. But not one addresses the earthquake threat facing thousands of children attending older, unsafe public schools throughout Washington.
What You Need to Know About Hiring for IBM i in 2021
A major shift in the workforce since the pandemic hit in 2020 has greatly impacted just about every industry, including IBM i. With the shift to work from home and many industries negatively affected by cutbacks and closures, numerous professionals are seeking less traditional means of employment. For the IBM i industry, these changes can be the perfect opportunity for attracting and hiring IT professionals.
Where to Find the Next Generation of IBM i Developers
Finding qualified developers is the single most important issue employers on IBM i face today. The issue is two-fold: there are less people in the workforce with IBM i experience and many developers with experience don’t have the modern knowledge to stay current. Today’s college degrees very seldom, if ever, contain IBM i education leaving very few ways for developers or students to learn it.
How Education Can Save Your Company Money
By Jim Buck 05/12/2021 After a tough hit to the economy and job market in 2020, just about every business is looking for ways to save money, create resiliency and improve their business processes. In the IT industry, one of the best ways to do this is to focus on education. New technologies and techniques are always launching with the ability to improve efficiency and support the end-user, and IBM i is no exception.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Return Howe to board
The Lewisburg Area School Board will be looking to fill its vacant seat on Dec. 14, and it would do well to take this as an opportunity to return Mary Howe to the board.A member of the Lewisburg Area School Board from 2011-2015, Howe chaired the district’s Green Pathways Committee. I am familiar with Mary’s dedication to the community from when we both served on the East Buffalo Township Bike-Pedestrian Committee.
Why is a password salt called a "salt"?
According to Ken Thompson, one of the first people to use the term in a book, it's related to the term "salting a mine", referring to gold mines. Whether that is "correct" or not who knows? I doubt there's an actual correct answer to this, it's just one of those terms that doesn't really have to have a reason as long as what it means is understood.
Second Chances (TV Movie 2013) ⭐ 7.1 | Drama, Romance
Director Writers All cast & crew Production, box office & more at IMDbPro Trivia Allison Sweeney and Greg Vaughn played twins on Days of Our Lives Cute movie I really like this movie. Watch it every time it's in. Greg Vaughn and Allison Sweeney have great chemistry. The kids are cute - and learn from reading to senior citizens in an assisted living home. The story is nice - feel good! The firemen are hunks LOL).
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Jim
Contact Jim, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack