Demonstrate a method to run a Python script from an IBMi RPGLE program. This example uses Python (launched by RPG) to create basic file documentation and email it (also Python) to the provided mail address.

1. Ensure you have Python 3.6.x, ReportLab, and ibm-db installed on your IBMi (preferably in a virtual environment). This example was tested with Python 3.6.8, ReportLab (3.5.13) and ibm-db (2.0.5.9). A requirements.txt file is provided in this project to show what the virtual environemnt this example ran under looked like. Much of what is listed is not used or required.

2. Create your python program and test it so that it works from the “open source” command line See… demoEmail.py and supporting Python scripts… dbconn.py and ipyemail.py

3. Create a Bash script that does the following... Receive parameters from the RPGLE/CLLE program that’s calling this script. Adjust the “PATH” so that the open source binaries can be accessed. “Activate” the Python virtual environment. Using the environment parameter, change your current directory to the IFS folder containing your Python sources. Execute your Python script, passing along any needed parameters. Deactivate your virtual environment and exit. See… demoEmail.sh.

4. Create your RPGLE or CLLE program that does the following... Using either QCMDEXC or the ILE C “system” function, execute your Bash program with Qshell (QSH). This program should determine the environment it’s running in. The environment variable can then be used for the following: Ensure the Bash script is run from the intended production or development IFS source folders. The Bash script can then run the Python script from the intended production or development IFS source folders. The Python program can use the environment information in their SQL “From” statements to pull data from the correct libraries.

   Pipe “>>” the console to a log file in the IFS so that the Qshell screen isn’t opened. Any output from errors or print statements will then be directed to the log file.
   

   See… DEMOEMAIL.RPGLE