JA Technology Solutions
DDS Screen Explorer
Paste IBM i DDS display file source and see the screen rendered with authentic 5250 green-screen and modern preview.
DDS Screen Explorer
Upload or paste IBM i DDS display file source and instantly see the screen layout rendered in your browser. Toggle between an authentic 5250 green-screen preview and a modern position-aware HTML layout. View the complete field layout with row and column positions, lengths, types, and keyword attributes like DSPATR, CHECK, VALUES, and EDTCDE, and navigate record formats with subfile control/detail pairs showing SFLCTL, SFLDSP, SFLPAG, and SFLSIZ values. Export the field layout to CSV or Excel for screen documentation and modernization planning. Physical file DDS is redirected to the DDS to SQL Converter. Runs entirely in your browser — your source never leaves your machine.
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What Are DDS Display Files?
DDS (Data Description Specifications) display files define the layout of 5250 green-screen interfaces on IBM i (AS/400, iSeries) systems. Each display file contains record formats with field definitions specifying row and column positions, field lengths, data types, and display attributes like color, highlighting, and input capability. Keywords like DSPATR, VALUES, RANGE, and EDTCDE control how fields appear and behave. RPG and COBOL programs reference these display files to present interactive screens to users connected via 5250 terminal emulators.
Why Visualizing Screens Matters
Reading raw DDS source is like reading HTML without a browser — you can follow the position coordinates and field definitions, but you cannot see what the user sees. This tool renders the DDS source as a visual layout, showing exactly where fields, labels, and function key legends appear on the 24×80 screen grid. The green-screen preview uses authentic terminal colors and spacing, while the modern preview shows a clean HTML rendering. Both views are essential for documenting existing applications, planning screen redesigns, and onboarding developers who are new to the platform.
Screen Modernization
Many organizations are modernizing their IBM i user interfaces — replacing 5250 green screens with web-based or mobile interfaces while keeping the RPG business logic intact. Understanding the existing screen layouts is the first step in any modernization project. I help organizations plan and execute screen modernization, from initial assessment of existing DDS display files through design of modern web interfaces to implementation and testing. Learn about IBM i services, explore modernization capabilities, or get in touch to discuss your modernization project.
All tools run entirely in your browser. Your data never leaves your machine. Need help? Ask James.