Biography
Bob Cozzi is a seasoned IBM i / RPG expert with nearly five decades of experience in midrange computing, software development, and technical education. He began his career on the IBM System/32 in 1977 and quickly became a recognized voice in the RPG and IBM i community.
Bob is best known as the author of The Modern RPG Language, a foundational reference on RPG III and RPG IV that has guided thousands of developers worldwide and remains one of the most widely used RPG manuals ever published. He has also authored numerous books, tools, and training materials focused on helping developers modernize and extend RPG applications.
As a developer and innovator, Bob created several influential software products for the IBM i platform, including SQL iQuery and SQL Tools, enabling developers to leverage SQL, generate modern outputs, and integrate IBM i data with contemporary workflows. He continues to build practical utilities—such as RPG modernization tools, SQL functions, and VS Code integrations—that help organizations evolve legacy environments.
Bob has presented at IBM i and midrange conferences and user groups around the world, sharing practical insights on modern RPG, SQL integration, and real-world best practices. He has also served in leadership roles with COMMON, where he helped launch and shape initiatives such as COMMON University and the IT Executive Conference.
Now retired from full-time work, Bob continues to do independent consulting for a small number of clients to stay technically engaged—when he’s not scuba diving whenever possible.