ILE Bindable Application Programming Interfaces

ILE bindable application programming interfaces (bindable APIs) are an important part of ILE. In some cases they provide additional function beyond that provided by a specific high-level language. For example, not all HLLs offer intrinsic means to manipulate dynamic storage. In those cases, you can supplement an HLL function by using particular bindable APIs. If your HLL provides the same function as a particular bindable API, use the HLL-specific one.

Bindable APIs are HLL independent. This can be useful for mixed-language applications. For example, if you use only condition management bindable APIs with a mixed-language application, you will have uniform condition handling semantics for that application. This makes condition management more consistent than when using multiple HLL-specific condition handlers.

The bindable APIs provide a wide range of function including:
  • Activation group and control flow management
  • Condition management
  • Date and time manipulation
  • Dynamic screen management
  • Math functions
  • Message handling
  • Program or procedure call management and operational descriptor access
  • Source debugger
  • Storage management

For reference information about the ILE bindable APIs, see the API topic under the Programming category of the IBM® i Information Center.