MidRange Platform Test

Assesses practical programming competence in RPGLE, COBOL, and Control Language (CL) on the IBM i platform. Evaluates understanding of fixed and free-format RPG syntax, file I/O operations, message handling, and modular programming. Covers program compilation, binding directories, and error-handling routines. Medium-level questions involve embedded SQL, service program creation, and inter-program data exchange. Hard-level questions test advanced ILE concepts, activation groups, structured exception handling, data structures, APIs, and integration of modular code across multiple environments — reflecting the candidate’s readiness for full-stack AS400 development.

Explores data management using IBM’s integrated relational database DB2 for i, including physical/logical file structures, normalization, indexing strategies, and constraints. Candidates must demonstrate SQL proficiency — table creation, joins, CTEs, subqueries, and stored procedures — as well as performance optimization techniques. Intermediate questions test embedded SQL integration within RPG or COBOL and query plan analysis. Advanced questions assess real-world database tuning (journaling, commitment control, indexing strategies), as well as design for concurrency, referential integrity, and distributed query execution — critical for high-volume, performance-sensitive enterprise environments.

Focuses on mastering the Integrated Language Environment (ILE) — the modular architecture that enables reusable, object-oriented programming on IBM i. Tests understanding of modules, service programs, activation groups, and binding directories. Evaluates design strategies that maximize modularity, maintainability, and memory efficiency. Advanced items assess proficiency in multi-module binding, parameter passing across procedures, structured error handling, and the use of reusable subprocedures and APIs. Candidates must demonstrate architectural thinking by designing ILE-based frameworks that enhance scalability, testing efficiency, and reusability across enterprise projects.

Measures understanding of job lifecycle management — from submission to completion — including batch and interactive jobs, job queues, and subsystems. Tests capability in CL command scripting, automation of operational tasks, and exception handling. Medium-level questions involve creating job control programs, automating monitoring, and handling spool file management. Advanced-level items test designing automation frameworks using Robot/Scheduler, job monitoring dashboards, and CL/SQL hybrids for alerting and recovery. Candidates must demonstrate ability to orchestrate automation pipelines that improve system reliability, uptime, and human efficiency in operational workflows.

Examines proficiency in software lifecycle management on IBM i using tools like TurnOver, Aldon, MKS Implementer, Git, and Jenkins. Evaluates understanding of deployment pipelines, code versioning, and release automation. Medium-level items cover promotion workflows, rollback recovery, and multi-environment management. Hard-level questions focus on CI/CD pipeline design integrating IBM i with cloud or distributed repositories, automated unit testing, and enforcing compliance within DevOps workflows. This topic assesses the candidate’s ability to modernize AS400 development practices for agile, automated, and auditable delivery ecosystems.

Tests ability to connect IBM i systems with external applications and modern ecosystems through APIs, web services, and middleware. Includes understanding data exchange formats (JSON, XML), REST and SOAP service creation, and MQ messaging for enterprise integration. Medium-level questions focus on designing bi-directional data flows, error-handling in API calls, and performance tuning in real-time integrations. Hard questions assess architectural fluency in secure API gateways, multi-protocol integration, OAuth security, and hybrid orchestration with cloud-native environments (AWS Lambda, Azure Functions, GCP Pub/Sub). This ensures readiness for enterprise-grade interoperability and modernization.

Evaluates the ability to transform legacy AS400 applications into modern, service-oriented or web-based systems. Covers techniques like RPG Open Access, LANSA, Profound UI, and REST API exposure. Candidates must understand code refactoring, UI transformation, and modular re-engineering strategies. Medium-level questions focus on identifying modernization opportunities and database evolution. Hard-level questions involve designing full modernization blueprints, migration of RPG to Java or .NET, and establishing hybrid cloud architectures with minimal downtime. This topic measures both technical fluency and strategic modernization vision for legacy enterprise environments.

Focuses on IBM i’s robust security architecture — authority levels, user profiles, object ownership, and authorization lists. Assesses implementation of encryption, auditing, and access control frameworks. Medium-level questions examine security exits, adopted authority, and secure communication protocols (SSL/TLS). Hard-level questions test ability to design multi-tier security frameworks, enforce compliance (SOX, GDPR), manage privileged access, and implement auditing automation. Candidates are expected to demonstrate an enterprise-level approach to system hardening, risk management, and governance frameworks for secure, compliant operations.

Tests high-level architectural and performance engineering skills needed to sustain enterprise workloads. Covers subsystem configuration, job prioritization, and memory and CPU tuning. Medium-level questions include workload balancing, journaling impact analysis, and performance debugging using IBM i Navigator tools. Hard-level questions challenge candidates to design scalable architectures involving multiple partitions (LPARs), implement workload partitioning, apply caching mechanisms, and align AS400 environments with enterprise integration layers (API, message buses, data lakes). This topic ensures architects can design resilient, performant, and future-ready midrange systems.