Nick Litten - IBM i Software Developer

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Nick Litten - IBM i Software Developer

https://www.nicklitten.com Nick is an Information Technology professional. Passionate about systems and upgrading older and software.

Software Developer specializing on the IBM-i/iSeries/AS400 platform, WordPress Web Design, legacy code modernization, writing web services and other propeller headed technologies. He spends his time day dreaming about internet technologies, software development, designing mobile apps and modernization of old legacy computer systems.

06/01/2026

Install Mapepire on IBM i to Unlock Modern Database Connectivity

Mapepire on My IBM i System: Finally Database Connections That Dont Make Me Want to Scream into the Void! Picture this: you are building a slick modern app and you just want it to chat nicely with Db2 for i without wrestling ancient ODBC drivers or wrestling with client libraries that feel older than your first green screen. Enter Mapepire the open source superhero that runs a super light daemon right on your IBM i....

Mapepire on My IBM i System: Finally Database Connections That Dont Make Me Want to Scream into the Void! Picture this: you are building a slick modern app and you just want it to chat nicely with …

05/30/2026

So, what exactly is IBM-i Mapepire?

Mapepire, a type of pit viper native to South America, boasts a logo that’s arguably the best creation from Big Blue since the original IBM emblem. As for how to say it, IBM-i Mapepire GitHub says Mapepire is pronounced ‘mapəpɪə’ or ‘MAH-pup-ee’ which seems nonsense to me! I've been pronouncing this as Mape (like V**e) Pire…...

Mapepire, a type of pit viper native to South America, boasts a logo that’s arguably the best creation from Big Blue since the original IBM emblem. As for how to say it, IBM-i Mapepire GitHub says …

05/29/2026

Rogue Rules Files are Twisting My Melon Man!

TOBi Builder MAKEi Fails with BLEUUURGH Error Code - A Quick Debugging Tale Hey there, fellow IBM i programmers. Today we're diving into a real-world head-scratcher I hit while working with TOBi (the IBM i Object Builder) and its MAKEi component. If you've ever tried to compile from your local source copies and instead of the usual nice "X programs compiled, Y failed" summary, you got a horrible mess of Python script errors, "failed to download a file", "no such file", or some equally unhelpful BLEUUURGH, then this one's for you....

TOBi Builder MAKEi Fails with BLEUUURGH Error Code – A Quick Debugging Tale Hey there, fellow IBM i programmers. Today we’re diving into a real-world head-scratcher I hit while working …

05/27/2026

10 (MORE) Essential IBM i Commands

New to the IBM-i platform? Read on...Experienced IBM-i Admin? Don't bother! If you are Older, Experienced, Gray Haired and Grumpy on the IBM-i platform, like me, then stop reading now because this stuff is for beginners. If you know your way around the IBM-i command line, you will definitely know each of these commands in details, so I suggest you go and enjoy a nice cup of tea in the garden instead....

New to the IBM-i platform? Read on…Experienced IBM-i Admin? Don’t bother! If you are Older, Experienced, Gray Haired and Grumpy on the IBM-i platform, like me, then stop reading now bec…

05/22/2026

Debugging RPG with IBM BOB

DISCLAIMER: This is not my usual style of programming video. It's long format, lots of me muttering at the camera while trying to fix some RPG code. I started recording with no idea if it would work or not. Spoiler - it did in the end. Also featuring an AI generated video, a growling version of me with fantastically lunatic hair....

DISCLAIMER: This is not my usual style of programming video. It’s long format, lots of me muttering at the camera while trying to fix some RPG code. I started recording with no idea if it wou…

05/21/2026

IBM i ACS 5250 – It’s time to talk about Blurry Fonts

Why do IBM i ACS 5250 characters suddenly look like they’re auditioning for a modern art exhibit whenever Font Scaling is enabled? If you fire up Access Client Solutions on a modern high resolution monitor and find yourself squinting at blurry text in your 5250 sessions, you are not alone. Those crisp green screens that used to look razor sharp suddenly turn into a fuzzy watercolor painting....

Why do IBM i ACS 5250 characters suddenly look like they’re auditioning for a modern art exhibit whenever Font Scaling is enabled? If you fire up Access Client Solutions on a modern high resolution…

05/20/2026

IBM BOB vs VS Code: Is Using AI the Future of IBM i Development?

I think we all know that AI the Future of IBM i Development? Well, I reckon AI is absolutely going to be a big part of the future for IBM i development, but it is not going to wave a magic wand over decades of fixed-format RPG and turn everything into shiny free-format perfection overnight. Tools like IBM BOB are already showing real promise by helping us refactor legacy code, explain what that cryptic subroutine is actually doing, and handle the boring repetitive tasks…...

I think we all know that AI the Future of IBM i Development? Well, I reckon AI is absolutely going to be a big part of the future for IBM i development, but it is not going to wave a magic wand ove…

05/14/2026

More Beginner IBM i Commands to Add to Your Toolkit

Hey there, esteemed IBM i beginners and learners! If you have already powered through my earlier post over at then you are probably feeling pretty comfortable at the green screen by now. Excellent work! Today, as a direct follow-up, I am going to whip through ten more everyday commands that every new IBM i programmer should have in their back pocket....

Hey there, esteemed IBM i beginners and learners! If you have already powered through my earlier post over at then you are probably feeling pretty comfortable at the green screen by now. Excellent …

05/11/2026

RPG Compiler Directives on IBM i

Hey there, fellow IBM i RPG Nerds. I was revisiting a couple of old posts about source code commenting and compile directives and it got me thinking about these marvelous, often overlooked features of IBM-i source code. Today, let's dive into RPG compiler directives! If you have ever stared at a mile-long compiler listing wondering why it looks like it was formatted by a sleep-deprived robot, or you keep copying the same prototypes into every program, then today is your lucky day....

Hey there, fellow IBM i RPG Nerds. I was revisiting a couple of old posts about source code commenting and compile directives and it got me thinking about these marvelous, often overlooked features…

05/06/2026

Convert IBM i SPLF (Spool Files) to PDF the Easy Way with ACS

This morning, it's time to revisit an old blog titled "IBM i ACS - Download SPLF (Spool Files) as PDF" and check it's still accurate and add a little sparkle for newcomers to the IBM i (aka AS400 & ISERIES) world... If you're anything like me, you've spent way too many hours staring at green-screen spool files, squinting at those endless lines of report data, and thinking, "...

This morning, it’s time to revisit an old blog titled “IBM i ACS – Download SPLF (Spool Files) as PDF” and check it’s still accurate and add a little sparkle for newco…

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