IBM i function support for CCSIDs

The system provides CCSID support in the functions as shown in the table.

Function Description of support
CL commands Some control language (CL) commands have internal functions that support CCSID conversions. For more information about CL commands that support CCSID conversions, see the CL Reference topic.
Copy Coded character set identifier (CCSID) support is built into the copy function. The Copy File (CPYF) and Copy from Query File (CPYFRMQRYF) commands support CCSIDs. To use the CPYF command to change a physical file, see Changing the CCSID of a physical file. The Copy Source File (CPYSRCF) command supports CCSID conversion.
Database management Database management support provides default coded character set identifier (CCSID) values for database files on the system.
DDM Coded character set identifier (CCSID) support is built into distributed data management (DDM). DDM provides support to pass CCSID tags in homogeneous environments. DDM passes a CCSID parameter when sending files. With DDM, you can also specify a CCSID when creating files on a remote system. DDM only converts data to the job CCSID of the source system when:
  • The IBM® i operating system is running on both the source and target systems.
  • The source and target systems are at an operating system level of Version 2 Release 1.1 or later.

Program-described files are always created with a CCSID of 65535 if they are created:

  • On a target system running a release level from OS/400® Version 2 Release 1.1 through OS/400 Version 2 Release 3
  • From a source system that is not running the IBM i operating system
  • From a source system that is a system at a release level before OS/400 Version 2 Release 1.1

You can use the Submit Remote Command (SBMRMTCMD) command on a source system to change the file CCSID (externally described files only) by specifying the Change Physical File (CHGPF) command and the CCSID parameter.

DDS Coded character set identifier (CCSID) support is built into data description specifications (DDS). DDS supports file-level and field-level CCSID keywords for all character fields in physical files. DDS also supports file-level and field-level keywords for all DBCS fields in physical files.
Distributed relational database Coded character set identifier (CCSID) support is built into distributed relational database. Distributed relational database passes the CCSID of an application requester (AR) job to an application server (AS) job and vice versa during connect processing. Distributed relational database also performs a conversion of error information and text-describing fields according to the job CCSID.

Distributed relational database uses CCSID information to determine how to build data exchanged between application requester jobs and application server jobs. It also uses CCSID information to describe data exchanged between application requester jobs and application server jobs (for example, a format description).

IDDU Coded character set identifier (CCSID) support is built into interactive data definition utility (IDDU). Interactive data definition utility provides support to specify a CCSID for a character field or a DBCS field.
Open Query File (OPNQRYF) Coded character set identifier (CCSID) support is built into IBM i query. You can use the Open Query File (OPNQRYF) command to specify a CCSID on the MAPFLD parameter. The MAPFLD parameter specifies the definition of query fields that are either mapped to, or derived from, other fields.

IBM i query supports CCSID conversion on CHAR, OPEN, EITHER, and UCS-2 graphic field operators for join, record selection, group-by, and minimum or maximum values functions. CCSID conversion is performed whenever fields do not have the same CCSID value. After the query is opened, database management support converts data read or written to the database files as described in the Database Management topic.

IBM i query does not support CCSID conversion if at least one of the fields is assigned a CCSID of 65535.

Query management Coded character set identifier (CCSID) support is built into query management. Query management assigns a CCSID to queries and forms. Query management:
  • Converts queries to the job CCSID.
  • Presents data to the display device using the job CCSID.
  • Assigns a CCSID to the files it creates.
SNA Coded character set identifier (CCSID) support is built into SNA Distributed Services (SNADS). SNADS supports CCSIDs by any user ID, system name, or destination queue name. However, other SNADS services such as SNDNETF do not provide CCSID conversion.
Work management Work management support provides the function to assign or change coded character set identifier (CCSID) values at three different levels. See the Work management topic for details.
Workstations The workstation management function provides support for display files, printer files, and panel groups. See Workstation function management for details.
Message management Coded character set identifier (CCSID) support is built into the system's message support. Use CCSID support for handling messages and message catalogs on IBM i:
  • You can send messages tagged with one CCSID to users with a different CCSID.
  • You can use CCSID support to handle messages by using commands and application programming interfaces.