Consultancy > AS/400 > Learning To Use AS/400
IBM Training center
If you need to learn how to use the AS/400 system (iSeries – IBM i), then on this page you can find some indications on the use of this calculator.
One of the main aspects to consider is that you have to prepare yourself to use, still, in 30% of cases, a character interface far from the paradigm of the Windows desktop full of graphics, icons, windows, etc.
In many cases, in fact, you can still access the AS/400 programs with a Telnet interface. The most widely used is probably IBM’s “Client Access” (later renamed “iseries Access” and then “System i Access”, “IBM i Access” and now “Access Client Solutions”), which, although enriched, is still only a Telnet program.
The absence of a graphical interface does not affect the functionality and speed of the AS/400 programs, but at least initially, it can create some difficulties if you are used to using Windows, Macintosh or Linux systems.
In the remaining 70% of cases, software manufacturers have introduced a graphical interface to their programs, so the “look and feel” of software applications is similar to that of PC programs.
In some cases the graphical interface has been created with a “Web Based” modality that is through internet browser. In fact, the AS/400 offers the functionality of web servers in native mode or with additional components.
As for a self-learning path to the use of the AS/400, unfortunately the sources of information on the AS/400 system are very specialized.
There are no informative texts on the operation and use of the AS/400 system.
You can buy volumes on Amazon or at MCPress but they are specialized texts aimed at a user already familiar with the product.
Also on the IBM site the large amount of information, largely of the commercial type, is addressed to users that are already clients of this computer.
On the net there are countless pages of documentation on this computer, but none really suitable for newbies.
From the “user” point of view, you learn to use the AS/400 on the job, that is, in the company where you are using it.
But don’t worry too much about learning how to use AS/400. In fact, usually, the user will have to learn, at 95%, only the use of the management program (accounting, invoicing, warehouse, etc.) that you will have to use.
The only “AS/400” parts that he will have to learn may be: managing print output, terminating batch jobs, using the character interface and little else.
What, on the other hand, can take a long time to learn is the use of management programs and their, always numerous, functions for company management.
From the point of view of “programmer” you learn to use the AS/400 in the software house or in the IT department of the company for which you work.
If you would still like to consult some manuals on the AS/400, we recommend our page with the main AS/400 manual links: Manuali AS/400
More generally, you can consult the Information Center for “IBM i” (AS/400) at the following link: https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/i/7.6
The Information Center allows you to consult the vast online documentation for AS/400 systems offered by IBM allowing you to also carry out targeted searches on individual topics.