This is what I want to share about my experience with Python on IBM i.

For a long time, every time I was trying to learn a new language, the training was targeting how to
bounce red balls on the screen, and just the very last chapter of the course was mentioning
manipulating data, I remember that when I was training for a Java certification…

In this case, with Python, I tried just from the beginning to retrieve data from the data base and start to
work just on data, I think this is the real word for Python.

Python like other object oriented technologies, use SQL scripts to manage the data bases, I was trying
with MySQL and with IBM I (DB2), and the differences are just a couple of lines where you define the
connection, the rest is the same.

When I was using java years ago when I was in Borders, we were running java just to send our books
inventory information to Google Clouds every week, the coding was very simple, just defining the JDBC
connections with the IBM i and Google data base and send it, just using SQL scripts.

With Python definitely you can do the same, and in a more simple way, you don’t need to define fields
or long classes to accomplish this target.

One of the challenges I had using Python in my company, was justifying the use, my boss question was,
why we need to use Python if we could accomplish the same with RPG coding?...and this was a fair
question, at the end I found one reason (at least for me on that time), with Python I will create full
customized excel files including Charts, something that you cannot do with RPG at all, this was my
starting point, defining a real target, I wanted to “expand” my resources, not replace them.

The first challenge was installing Python on the IBM i, I will not get in details here, but in black
and white, you need to have functional your IBM I Access Client Solution, if you run this URL,
you will see the login screen: http://your.server.name:2001/
If this is not happen, you will need to contact your network administration to make the right corrections.

After you have it active, you will need to go to Tools/Open Source Package Management to start
working downloading the python module into the system, don’t use other methodologies, follow the
instructions from the IBM I Access menus (you will need qsecofr profile to accomplish this task).
You will be entering the SSH connection parameters like IP system address, user and password

Then you will be selecting the python3 version from the Open Source Package management:
 After the installation, you have to make sure to define the path where you want to point the python
language:

1) Login with your QSECOFR

2) Run the IBM PASE, you have to execute:

call qp2term

echo 'PATH=/QOpenSys/pkgs/bin:$PATH' >> $HOME/.profile

export PATH >> $HOME/.profile

After you set the path, you will be able to execute any python program from your IFS:

For example:

python3 /home/tdvitale/python/hello.py

Note: Every time you run the command ‘python3’, you have to be in the qshell interactive session
running just QSH or call the object qp2term

The program “hello.py” must be in your Home/UserID/paython IFS folder to be executed.

Now the magic line to run a Python program from a CL or RPG program:

QSH CMD('python3 /home/tdvitale/python/hello.py')

If for some reason, the program is not found because the path definition I mentioned before
failed, you still can use the full path like this one:
QSH CMD('/QOpenSys/pkgs/bin/python3 /home/tdvitale/python/hello.py')

One important point to how we connect with the IBM i, use the old ODBC driver from the iSeries Access,
this is free if you already have it in your installation.

I will not go explaining Python syntax since you can find them in millions of documents and website on
line.

In python, you will need to download the module “pyodbc”, in QSH session you will need to run the
command “pip3”

Pip3 install pyodbc

Now, if you create your first Python program to access IBM I and retrieve information from your DB, the
program will look like this one:

Import pyodbc

Connection = pyodbc.connect(

Driver=’{iSeries Access ODBC Driver}’,

System=’10.10.2.21’,

UID=’UserID’

PWD=’password’)

My cursor = connection.execute(‘select * from lib.file’)

Myresult = mycursor.fetchall()

For x in myresult:

Print(x)

Print(“I retrieved data from the IBM i !!!”)

I this simple program, you define the connection with the driver, IP system you are connecting, UserID
and Password, and then you create the cursor to execute an SQL script captured on the object
“Myresult”.

Again, I will not go deep on Python syntax, just pointing the steps to make Python works for business.

Note: when you define the connection, you could define the connection to point MySQL if you want it
(you have to download with PIP3 first the right module).

Now, the big challenge is to create an excel file with charts and send it to the user, the python program
will be called from a CL program.

PGM

QSH CMD(‘python3 /home/tdvitale/python/prfcharts.py')

SNDDST TYPE(*DOC) TOINTNET(([email protected] *PRI)) DSTD(‘Charts’)
MSG(‘This is an excel file with charts generated with Python’)
CDMDEL(*NO) SENSITIV(*NONE) IMPORTANCE(*HIGH) DOC(FlashRptCharts.xlsx)
FLR(EMAIL)

The first command is just to call the python program prfcharts.py from the
IFS.
The second command is just to send the document generated FlashRptCharts.xlsx
to the user.

To create the excel file, you need to download the module xlswriter, here you
will find how this work.

https://xlsxwriter.readthedocs.io/

And this is the entire program I wrote to generate the excel file and the
charts

Note: In this case I was using the ibm_db driver

https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/python-script-accessing-db2-data-
simple-example

$ pip3 install PTable

Code to test it

from prettytable import from_db_cursor

import ibm_db_dbi as db2
conn = db2.connect()
cur = conn.cursor()
cur.execute("select * from qiws.qcustcdt")
print(from_db_cursor(cur))

#*****************************************************************#

# Program Name: prfcharts.py #

# Author: Daniel Vitale #

# Date Written: 09/24/2018 #

#*****************************************************************#

# F U N C T I O N S #

#*****************************************************************#

# This program will print chars for Flash Report for the last #

# 12 Months. #

#*****************************************************************#
# L O G O F P R O G R A M M O D I F I C A T I O N S #

#*****************************************************************#

# Date Programmer Description #

# -------- ------------- ------------------------------------ #

# 11/29/2019 Daniel Vitale Date Written #

#*****************************************************************#

# Import module to Excel files

import xlsxwriter

# Import module to connect with DB with the core and set connection

import ibm_db_dbi as db2

conn = db2.connect()

cur = conn.cursor()

# Create a workbook and add a worksheet.

workbook =
xlsxwriter.Workbook('/home/TDVITALE/PythonDev/FlashRptCharts.xlsx')

worksheet2 = workbook.add_worksheet('Charts')

worksheet1 = workbook.add_worksheet('Data')

# Protect Sheets

worksheet2.protect()

worksheet1.protect()

# Add a bold format to use to highlight cells.

bold = workbook.add_format({'bold': True})

colorBlue = workbook.add_format({'color':'blue'})

# Define Currency format

currency_format = workbook.add_format({'num_format': '$#,###,##0.00'})

# Set the width column (col start, col end, width)

worksheet1.set_column(0,11,18) # Data

worksheet2.set_column(0,0,90) # Charts, first column

worksheet2.set_column(2,2,90) # Charts, third column

# Get the Last Period of the Report

cur.execute("select month(max(ds_date)) || '/' || year(max(ds_date)) from

sslib.prfp001 ")

data=cur.fetchone()

for PeriodT in data:

Period = PeriodT

# Insert Title of the Report in the Chart sheet

cell_title = workbook.add_format()

cell_title.set_bold()

cell_title.set_font_color('blue')

cell_title.set_font_size('16')

worksheet2.write_string (0,0,'Monthly Flash Report by Charts Combining the

last 3 years for: ' + PeriodT , cell_title)
# Write the Headers

worksheet1.write_string (0,0,'Item',bold)

worksheet1.write_string (0,1,'Year',bold)

worksheet1.write_string (0,2,'Month',bold)

worksheet1.write_string (0,3,'Amount',bold)

worksheet1.write_string (0,5,'Year',bold)

worksheet1.write_string (0,6,'Month',bold)

worksheet1.write_string (0,7,'Amount',bold)

worksheet1.write_string (0,9,'Year',bold)

worksheet1.write_string (0,10,'Month',bold)

worksheet1.write_string (0,11,'Amount',bold)

# Create charts objects

chart1 = workbook.add_chart({'type': 'column'}) # For Cash

chart2 = workbook.add_chart({'type': 'column'}) # For Total Loans

chart3 = workbook.add_chart({'type': 'column'}) # For Total Assets

chart4 = workbook.add_chart({'type': 'column'}) # For Total Deposits

chart5 = workbook.add_chart({'type': 'column'}) # For Customers Visits

chart6 = workbook.add_chart({'type': 'column'}) # Active Customers

worksheet1.write_string (1,0,'Cash',colorBlue)

worksheet1.write_string (14,0,'Total Loans',colorBlue)

worksheet1.write_string (27,0,'Total Assets',colorBlue)

worksheet1.write_string (40,0,'Total Deposits',colorBlue)

worksheet1.write_string (53,0,'Customer Visits',colorBlue)

worksheet1.write_string (66,0,'Active Customers',colorBlue)

# Current Year ---

cur.execute("SELECT distinct year(a.DS_DATE), month(a.DS_DATE), " +

"(SELECT b.ds_cash from SSLIB.PRFP001 b where year(a.DS_DATE) =

year(b.DS_DATE) and month(a.DS_DATE) = month(b.DS_DATE) order by b.DS_DATE
desc fetch first row only), " +

"(SELECT b.ds_tot from SSLIB.PRFP001 b where year(a.DS_DATE) =

year(b.DS_DATE) and month(a.DS_DATE) = month(b.DS_DATE) order by b.DS_DATE
desc fetch first row only), " +

"(SELECT b.ds_totas from SSLIB.PRFP001 b where year(a.DS_DATE) =

year(b.DS_DATE) and month(a.DS_DATE) = month(b.DS_DATE) order by b.DS_DATE
desc fetch first row only), " +

"(SELECT b.ds_totd * -1 from SSLIB.PRFP001 b where

year(a.DS_DATE) = year(b.DS_DATE) and month(a.DS_DATE) = month(b.DS_DATE)
order by b.DS_DATE desc fetch first row only), " +

"(SELECT sum(b.ds_cusv) from SSLIB.PRFP001 b where

year(a.DS_DATE) = year(b.DS_DATE) and month(a.DS_DATE) = month(b.DS_DATE)), "
+

"(SELECT b.ds_cus# from SSLIB.PRFP001 b where year(a.DS_DATE) =

year(b.DS_DATE) and month(a.DS_DATE) = month(b.DS_DATE) order by b.DS_DATE
desc fetch first row only) " +

"FROM SSLIB.PRFP001 a " +

"WHERE year(a.ds_date) = year(current date) " +

"order by month(a.DS_DATE)")

# Retrieve the Data

data = cur.fetchall()
row = 1

for Year, Month, Amount_Cash, Amount_Loans, Amount_Assets, Amount_Dep,

Customers_Visits, Active_Customers in data:

# Cash

worksheet1.write_number (row, 1, Year)

worksheet1.write_number (row, 2, Month)

worksheet1.write_number (row, 3, Amount_Cash, currency_format)

# Loans Total

worksheet1.write_number (row + 13, 1, Year)

worksheet1.write_number (row + 13, 2, Month)

worksheet1.write_number (row + 13, 3, Amount_Loans, currency_format)

# Assets

worksheet1.write_number (row + 26, 1, Year)

worksheet1.write_number (row + 26, 2, Month)

worksheet1.write_number (row + 26, 3, Amount_Assets, currency_format)

# Deposits

worksheet1.write_number (row + 39, 1, Year)

worksheet1.write_number (row + 39, 2, Month)

worksheet1.write_number (row + 39, 3, Amount_Dep, currency_format)

# Branch Visits

worksheet1.write_number (row + 52, 1, Year)

 worksheet1.write_number (row + 52, 2, Month)

worksheet1.write_number (row + 52, 3, Customers_Visits)

# Active Customers

worksheet1.write_number (row + 65, 1, Year)

worksheet1.write_number (row + 65, 2, Month)

worksheet1.write_number (row + 65, 3, Active_Customers)

row +=1

# One Year Before ---

cur.execute("SELECT distinct year(a.DS_DATE), month(a.DS_DATE), " +

"(SELECT b.ds_cash from SSLIB.PRFP001 b where year(a.DS_DATE) =

year(b.DS_DATE) and month(a.DS_DATE) = month(b.DS_DATE) order by b.DS_DATE
desc fetch first row only), " +

"(SELECT b.ds_tot from SSLIB.PRFP001 b where year(a.DS_DATE) =

year(b.DS_DATE) and month(a.DS_DATE) = month(b.DS_DATE) order by b.DS_DATE
desc fetch first row only), " +

"(SELECT b.ds_totas from SSLIB.PRFP001 b where year(a.DS_DATE) =

year(b.DS_DATE) and month(a.DS_DATE) = month(b.DS_DATE) order by b.DS_DATE
desc fetch first row only), " +

"(SELECT b.ds_totd * -1 from SSLIB.PRFP001 b where

year(a.DS_DATE) = year(b.DS_DATE) and month(a.DS_DATE) = month(b.DS_DATE)
order by b.DS_DATE desc fetch first row only), " +

"(SELECT sum(b.ds_cusv) from SSLIB.PRFP001 b where

year(a.DS_DATE) = year(b.DS_DATE) and month(a.DS_DATE) = month(b.DS_DATE)), "
+

"(SELECT b.ds_cus# from SSLIB.PRFP001 b where year(a.DS_DATE) =

year(b.DS_DATE) and month(a.DS_DATE) = month(b.DS_DATE) order by b.DS_DATE
desc fetch first row only) " +

"FROM SSLIB.PRFP001 a " +

"WHERE year(a.ds_date) = year(current date) - 1 " +

 "order by month(a.DS_DATE)")

# Retrieve the Data

data = cur.fetchall()

row = 1

for Year, Month, Amount_Cash, Amount_Loans, Amount_Assets, Amount_Dep,

Customers_Visits, Active_Customers in data:

# Cash

worksheet1.write_number (row, 5, Year)

worksheet1.write_number (row, 6, Month)

worksheet1.write_number (row, 7, Amount_Cash, currency_format)

row +=1

# Loans Total

worksheet1.write_number (row + 12, 5, Year)

worksheet1.write_number (row + 12, 6, Month)

worksheet1.write_number (row + 12, 7, Amount_Loans, currency_format)

# Assets

worksheet1.write_number (row + 25, 5, Year)

worksheet1.write_number (row + 25, 6, Month)

worksheet1.write_number (row + 25, 7, Amount_Assets, currency_format)

# Deposits
 worksheet1.write_number (row + 38, 5, Year)

worksheet1.write_number (row + 38, 6, Month)

worksheet1.write_number (row + 38, 7, Amount_Dep, currency_format)

# Branch Visits

worksheet1.write_number (row + 51, 5, Year)

worksheet1.write_number (row + 51, 6, Month)

worksheet1.write_number (row + 51, 7, Customers_Visits)

# Active Customers

worksheet1.write_number (row + 64, 5, Year)

worksheet1.write_number (row + 64, 6, Month)

worksheet1.write_number (row + 64, 7, Active_Customers)

# Two Years Before ---

cur.execute("SELECT distinct year(a.DS_DATE), month(a.DS_DATE), " +

"(SELECT b.ds_cash from SSLIB.PRFP001 b where year(a.DS_DATE) =

year(b.DS_DATE) and month(a.DS_DATE) = month(b.DS_DATE) order by b.DS_DATE
desc fetch first row only), " +

"(SELECT b.ds_tot from SSLIB.PRFP001 b where year(a.DS_DATE) =

year(b.DS_DATE) and month(a.DS_DATE) = month(b.DS_DATE) order by b.DS_DATE
desc fetch first row only), " +

"(SELECT b.ds_totas from SSLIB.PRFP001 b where year(a.DS_DATE) =

year(b.DS_DATE) and month(a.DS_DATE) = month(b.DS_DATE) order by b.DS_DATE
desc fetch first row only), " +

"(SELECT b.ds_totd * -1 from SSLIB.PRFP001 b where

year(a.DS_DATE) = year(b.DS_DATE) and month(a.DS_DATE) = month(b.DS_DATE)
order by b.DS_DATE desc fetch first row only), " +

"(SELECT sum(b.ds_cusv) from SSLIB.PRFP001 b where

year(a.DS_DATE) = year(b.DS_DATE) and month(a.DS_DATE) = month(b.DS_DATE)), "
+
 "(SELECT b.ds_cus# from SSLIB.PRFP001 b where year(a.DS_DATE) =
year(b.DS_DATE) and month(a.DS_DATE) = month(b.DS_DATE) order by b.DS_DATE
desc fetch first row only) " +

"FROM SSLIB.PRFP001 a " +

"WHERE year(a.ds_date) = year(current date) - 2 " +

"order by month(a.DS_DATE)")

# Retrieve the Data

data = cur.fetchall()

row = 1

for Year, Month, Amount_Cash, Amount_Loans, Amount_Assets, Amount_Dep,

Customers_Visits, Active_Customers in data:

# Cash

worksheet1.write_number (row, 9, Year)

worksheet1.write_number (row, 10, Month)

worksheet1.write_number (row, 11, Amount_Cash, currency_format)

# Loans Total

worksheet1.write_number (row + 13, 9, Year)

worksheet1.write_number (row + 13, 10, Month)

worksheet1.write_number (row + 13, 11, Amount_Loans, currency_format)

# Assets

worksheet1.write_number (row + 26, 9, Year)

worksheet1.write_number (row + 26, 10, Month)

 worksheet1.write_number (row + 26, 11, Amount_Assets, currency_format)

# Deposits

worksheet1.write_number (row + 39, 9, Year)

worksheet1.write_number (row + 39, 10, Month)

worksheet1.write_number (row + 39, 11, Amount_Dep, currency_format)

# Branch Visits

worksheet1.write_number (row + 52, 9, Year)

worksheet1.write_number (row + 52, 10, Month)

worksheet1.write_number (row + 52, 11, Customers_Visits)

# Active Customers

worksheet1.write_number (row + 65, 9, Year)

worksheet1.write_number (row + 65, 10, Month)

worksheet1.write_number (row + 65, 11, Active_Customers)

row +=1

# Generate the final Charts

# Cash ******************************************************

chart1.set_title ({'name': 'Cash'})

chart1.set_x_axis({'name': 'Months'})

chart1.set_y_axis({'name': 'Amounts'})
chart1.set_size({'width': 620, 'height': 350})

# Set Current Year

chart1.add_series({

'categories': '=Data!$C$2:$C$13',

'values': '=Data!$D$2:$D$13',

'line': {'color': 'green'},

'name': '=Data!$B$2:$B$2'

})

# Set One Year Before

chart1.add_series({

'categories': '=Data!$G$2:$G$13',

'values': '=Data!$H$2:$H$13',

'line': {'color': 'blue'},

'name': '=Data!$F$2:$F$2'

})

# Set Two Years Before

chart1.add_series({

'categories': '=Data!$K$2:$K$13',

'values': '=Data!$L$2:$L$13',

'line': {'color': 'red'},

'name': '=Data!$J$2:$J$2'

})
# Total Loans ******************************************************

chart2.set_title ({'name': 'Total Loans'})

chart2.set_x_axis({'name': 'Months'})

chart2.set_y_axis({'name': 'Amounts'})

chart2.set_size({'width': 620, 'height': 350})

# Set Current Year

chart2.add_series({

'categories': '=Data!$C$15:$C$26',

'values': '=Data!$D$15:$D$26',

'line': {'color': 'green'},

'name': '=Data!$B$15:$B$15'

})

# Set One Year Before

chart2.add_series({

'categories': '=Data!$G$15:$G$26',

'values': '=Data!$H$15:$H$26',

'line': {'color': 'blue'},

'name': '=Data!$F$15:$F$15'

})

# Set Two Years Before

chart2.add_series({

'categories': '=Data!$K$15:$K$26',
 'values': '=Data!$L$15:$L$26',

'line': {'color': 'red'},

'name': '=Data!$J$15:$J$15'

})

# Total Assets ******************************************************

chart3.set_title ({'name': 'Total Assets'})

chart3.set_x_axis({'name': 'Months'})

chart3.set_y_axis({'name': 'Amounts'})

chart3.set_size({'width': 620, 'height': 350})

# Set Current Year

chart3.add_series({

'categories': '=Data!$C$28:$C$39',

'values': '=Data!$D$28:$D$39',

'line': {'color': 'green'},

'name': '=Data!$B$28:$B$28'

})

# Set One Year Before

chart3.add_series({

'categories': '=Data!$G$28:$G$39',

'values': '=Data!$H$28:$H$39',

'line': {'color': 'blue'},

'name': '=Data!$F$28:$F$28'
})

# Set Two Years Before

chart3.add_series({

'categories': '=Data!$K$28:$K$39',

'values': '=Data!$L$28:$L$39',

'line': {'color': 'red'},

'name': '=Data!$J$28:$J$28'

})

# Total Deposits ******************************************************

chart4.set_title ({'name': 'Total Deposits'})

chart4.set_x_axis({'name': 'Months'})

chart4.set_y_axis({'name': 'Amounts'})

chart4.set_size({'width': 620, 'height': 350})

# Set Current Year

chart4.add_series({

'categories': '=Data!$C$41:$C$52',

'values': '=Data!$D$41:$D$52',

'line': {'color': 'green'},

'name': '=Data!$B$41:$B$41'

})

# Set One Year Before

chart4.add_series({

'categories': '=Data!$G$41:$G$52',

'values': '=Data!$H$41:$H$52',

'line': {'color': 'blue'},

'name': '=Data!$F$41:$F$41'

})

# Set Two Years Before

chart4.add_series({

'categories': '=Data!$K$41:$K$52',

'values': '=Data!$L$41:$L$52',

'line': {'color': 'red'},

'name': '=Data!$J$41:$J$41'

})

# Total Visits ******************************************************

chart5.set_title ({'name': 'Total Branch Visits'})

chart5.set_x_axis({'name': 'Months'})

chart5.set_y_axis({'name': 'Amounts'})

chart5.set_size({'width': 620, 'height': 350})

# Set Current Year

chart5.add_series({

'categories': '=Data!$C$54:$C$65',

'values': '=Data!$D$54:$D$65',
 'line': {'color': 'green'},

'name': '=Data!$B$54:$B$54'

})

# Set One Year Before

chart5.add_series({

'categories': '=Data!$G$54:$G$65',

'values': '=Data!$H$54:$H$65',

'line': {'color': 'blue'},

'name': '=Data!$F$54:$F$54'

})

# Set Two Years Before

chart5.add_series({

'categories': '=Data!$K$54:$K$65',

'values': '=Data!$L$54:$L$65',

'line': {'color': 'red'},

'name': '=Data!$J$54:$J$54'

})

# Active Customers ******************************************************

chart6.set_title ({'name': 'Active Customers'})

chart6.set_x_axis({'name': 'Months'})

chart6.set_y_axis({'name': 'Amounts'})

chart6.set_size({'width': 620, 'height': 350})

# Set Current Year

chart6.add_series({

'categories': '=Data!$C$67:$C$78',

'values': '=Data!$D$67:$D$78',

'line': {'color': 'green'},

'name': '=Data!$B$67:$B$67'

})

# Set One Year Before

chart6.add_series({

'categories': '=Data!$G$67:$G$78',

'values': '=Data!$H$67:$H$78',

'line': {'color': 'blue'},

'name': '=Data!$F$67:$F$67'

})

# Set Two Years Before

chart6.add_series({

'categories': '=Data!$K$67:$K$78',

'values': '=Data!$L$67:$L$78',

'line': {'color': 'red'},

'name': '=Data!$J$67:$J$67'

})

# Insert the charts into the worksheet2 (for Charts)

worksheet2.insert_chart('A3', chart1) # Cash

worksheet2.insert_chart('C3', chart2) # Loans

worksheet2.insert_chart('A22', chart3) # Assets

worksheet2.insert_chart('C22', chart4) # Deposits

worksheet2.insert_chart('A41', chart5) # Visits

worksheet2.insert_chart('C41', chart6) # Active Customers

workbook.close()