Upcoming LISUG Event

Think Differently, Code Smarter: IBM i Problem Solving & RPG Automation

When:

March 17th, 2027

Hour:

5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Where:

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Think Differently, Code Smarter: IBM i Problem Solving & RPG Automation:

From fresh perspectives on technology and culture to building an RPG program generator live

Some of the best technical breakthroughs start with a simple question: why are we doing the same work over and over again?

Join LISUG and Richard Lombardi for a practical and thought-provoking IBM i evening that begins with a broader look at problem solving, perspective, and unconventional thinking, then moves into a live RPG program generator build.

Pre-Session: Think Differently: Lessons in Technology, Problem Solving, and Eastern and Western Thought

The pre-session explores how great technologists learn to look at problems differently. Drawing on decades of experience as a programmer, physicist, educator, world traveler, and technology problem solver, Richard will share stories about unusual challenges, inventive solutions, and lessons from Eastern and Western styles of thinking, including experiences and photographs from his travels throughout China.

Main Session: Stop Copying and Pasting: Build an RPG Program Generator Live

The main session turns that mindset into action. Richard will demonstrate how an IBM i developer can build a practical program generator using RPG, templates, commands, command validation, service programs, and IBM i APIs. Attendees will see how a single command can accept a keyed database file and generate both a basic display file and an RPG program that uses it.

This session is for developers, technical leaders, and IBM i professionals who want to stop repeating predictable work and start building tools that make the computer do more of it.

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Schedule

Pre-Session

Think Differently: Lessons in Technology, Problem Solving, and Eastern and Western Thought

5:00 PM

Networking & Cocktail Hour

Connect with fellow members and enjoy our open bar.

6:00 PM

Dinner & Q&A

Interactive discussion over dinner.

7:00 PM

Main Session

Stop Copying and Pasting: Build an RPG Program Generator Live

8:00 PM

Session Ends

Wrapping up with final takeaways and community conversation.

9:00 PM

Keynote Speaker

Richard Lombardi

Senior Developer at Landstar System, Inc

From S/32 to IBMi over many years, in many computer languages and several human languages, in many countries, I can say my experiences and travels give me an unusual view of IT. Especially since I never studied IT. My Physics degrees focused on the General Theory of Relativity in the days when Stephen Hawkings was a new phenomenon. When I left graduate school, I went to work for IBM. After 5 years learning the hard lessons in the business world, I left IBM and spent the next 25 years traveling the world. It was the perfect time to do so. As a Physicist, a computer programmer and an English speaker, I was in demand at the time and I took advantage of that and “saw the world”. Always considered the one who could “solve” the problem, I never really had a job as a “programmer”. I always gave my company more than just programming. When I speak at LISUG, I will describe the many difficult and interesting applications I developed and improved over the years. I will also tell stories of experiences and lessons learned that you can only get when you live in foreign environments.

What Will You Learn?

Think Differently About Technical Problems

Learn how culture, curiosity, travel, and unconventional thinking can change the way technologists approach systems and problem solving.

Recognize Repetitive Development Patterns

Explore how repeated copy-and-paste programming work can become a signal that it is time to build a tool instead.

Build Toward IBM i Automation

See how RPG, templates, commands, command validation, service programs, and IBM i APIs can work together to generate useful program assets.