Discover F8/F8 And Wild Card Search : Insights From Tim Rowe

Introduction:

At the Remain Software Tips and Tricks podcast, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Tim Rowe, a well-known expert in the IBM i community. In this insightful conversation, Tim shares some great tips on navigating the IBM i platform more efficiently, highlighting the lesser-known functionality of the F8 and F9 keys, and diving into the story behind these features.

The Power of F8 and F9:

Tim begins by discussing the F8 key, a tool for navigating the green screen interface on IBM i. For years, users would accidentally overshoot commands using the F9 key and have to cycle back through them. The F8 key, which had been quietly commented out in the code, was rediscovered, allowing users to go back a step and avoid unnecessary frustration. Interestingly, Tim shares that this feature wasn’t available for many years, and when rediscovered, it was a game-changer for productivity.

Behind the Discovery:

Tim recounts a fun story of how a colleague, Steve, stumbled across the F8 feature during a deep dive into the legacy code. It turned out that the code for F8 had been there all along—simply commented out and forgotten! Tim also notes that alongside F8, Steve found an even more powerful feature: the ability to use F9 with search criteria. This allows users to input a command like “WRK” and instantly find matching commands, saving significant time.

F8 and F9—A New Era:

The rediscovery of these features led to great excitement within the IBM i community, with Steve even going so far as to create T-shirts to celebrate the “Back to the Future” moment for the F8 key. These simple yet powerful features have now become part of the daily workflow for many, showcasing how small changes in legacy systems can make a big difference in usability.

Sharing the Knowledge:

Tim also mentions that he and Scott Forsty, a database architect, have been creating content on their IC video blog, with 71 episodes already available. These videos, hosted by Common, aim to educate the IBM i community on various tips and tricks, helping users get the most out of the platform.

Conclusion:

This podcast session highlights the importance of continuous learning and digging into legacy systems to find hidden gems that can enhance user experience. If you’re working with IBM i and haven’t yet tried the F8 or F9 search functions, it’s time to explore these handy tools. Stay tuned for more tips and tricks from Tim Rowe and his team!

Try the F8 and F9 keys on IBM i for a smoother workflow! For more tips, check out the IC video blog—just search “IC IBM i” or visit the Common website to stay updated.