IBM recently released three software agreement and upgrade APIs (one is 5.2, the two others are 5.4). To make it easier to take advantage of these, I have created three corresponding CL commands:

• The command CHKSFWAGR(Check Software Agreement) uses the QLPRAGR API.
• The command ACPSFWAGR(Accept Software Agreement) uses the QLPACAGR API.
• The command ALCLCSPC(Allocate LIC Space) uses the QLPALCSP API.

The three APIs, which I have front-ended with command descriptions, provide the following functionality:

Check Software Agreement (API QLPRAGR; 5.4)--This command allows you to verify the actual software agreement status for a specific product.

Accept Software Agreement (API QLPACAGR; V5R2)--Some licensed programs will present a display panel during installation to prompt the operator to accept the software agreement prior to installation. To be able to install such a product without operator intervention, you can run this command before the installation process.

Allocate Licensed Internal Code (LIC) Space (API QLPALCSP; V5R4)--This command should be run prior to upgrading to the next release. It instructs the system to allocate any additional LIC space required for the upgrade. This will speed up the actual upgrade processing time. This API has been provided for back-level systems by means of PTFs. If you are running 5.1, 5.2 or 5.3, check out APARs SE21133, SE21040, SE15828, and SE21069 to verify that you have the required PTFs installed.

I've included the crucial part of the API documentation as help panel groups to ease the use of the commands and to provide online command documentation. I have also included a UIM menu that will not only point you to the above three commands but will also direct you to other software agreement and upgrade commands and menus.

The Software Agreement and Upgrade Commands (CMDSFWAGR) menu allows you to work with commands related to administration of software agreements and perform system upgrade activities. The menu will only display commands to which you have *USE authority. Contact your security officer to obtain any missing authorization to the software agreement and upgrade commands.

CMDSFWAGR          Software Agreement and Upgrade Commands                    
                                                            System:   WYNDHAMW
Select one of the following:                                                  
                                                                              
  Commands                                                                    
     1. Check Software Agreement                                    CHKSFWAGR 
     2. Accept Software Agreement                                   ACPSFWAGR 
     3. Work with Software Agreements                               WRKSFWAGR 
                                                                              
     5. Display Software Resources                                  DSPSFWRSC 
                                                                              
     7. Allocate Licensed Internal Code (LIC) Space                 ALCLICSPC 
                                                                              
     9. Work with License Information                               WRKLICINF 
                                                                              
  Related Command Menus                                                       
    10. Work with Licensed Programs                                 WRKLICPGM 
                                                                              
                                                                        Bottom
Selection or command                                                          
===> _________________________________________________________________         
F3=Exit   F4=Prompt   F9=Retrieve   F12=Cancel      

Gathering all relevant commands in one place is often a useful approach when you need quick and direct access to functions and utilities supporting a specific systems management area. Feel free to add your favorite software agreement and upgrade commands in case you miss any.

The following source code is involved in creating all the commands and objects presented in this article:

CBX9841     RPGLE       Check Software Agreement - CPP                   
CBX9841H    PNLGRP      Check Software Agreement - Help                   
CBX9841X    CMD         Check Software Agreement                         
CBX9842     RPGLE       Accept Software Agreement - CPP                  
CBX9842H    PNLGRP      Accept Software Agreement - Help                 
CBX9842X    CMD         Accept Software Agreement                        
CBX9843     RPGLE       Allocate LIC Space - CPP       
CBX9843H    PNLGRP      Allocate LIC Space - Help      
CBX9843X    CMD         Allocate LIC Space             
CBX984U     UIM         Software Agreement and Upgrade Commands CMDSFWAGR         
CBX984M     CLP         Software Agreement and Upgrade Commands - Build commands

To have all these objects created correctly, compile and run the CBX984M CL program following the instructions in the source header.

Download the zip file containing all the source code.