Q: I've configured my ODBC data source, and I am trying to use it to retrieve data. However, when I try to run an SQL statement, I receive an error saying "column *N not found." I'm not requesting this *N column. What's going on?

A: You need to make sure there's a *LOCAL relational database entry on the system you want to connect to. Do this by running the Work with Relational Database Directory Entries (WRKRDBDIRE) command. If there is no entry with *LOCAL, select option 1 to add a new entry. Make an entry that is the same name as your AS/400 system name. Then, for the remote location, enter *LOCAL. You may also have to restart the server support job to make sure it picks up the new entry. End the job by issuing the following command:

 ENDPJ QSERVER QIWS/QZDAINIT 

Start it again by entering this command:

 STRPJ QSERVER QIWS/QZDAINIT 

This should pick up the new database entry.

- Brian Singleton