Audience
Application Programmers with little or no previous experience in COBOL who require formal training in the basic language features and programming techniques.
Prerequisites
An understanding of computer concepts is assumed.
A working knowledge of TSO/ISPF is required. This can be gained from our z/OS TSO/ISPF Workshop.
Duration
5 days. Hands on.
Course Objectives
Each delegate will acquire a working knowledge of COBOL and will gain a solid foundation in the fundamentals of COBOL coding including program structure, design, execution and debugging. The concepts of structured programming are introduced with examples and explanation. Good programming practice is encouraged throughout. The course starts with the basics and furthers learning with hands on assignments until delegates are capable of complex programming logic and design.
Course Content
Module 1: Documentation and Ancillary Information
Material used and referenced in the course
Module 2: Structure and Syntax
Cobol syntax
Program layout
EXIT
GOBACK
STOP
Module 3: Compiling and Debugging
Compile and Link-edit
Cleaning up compile errors
Run-time errors
Diagnosing 0C7 abend
Module 4: Define, Move and Initialize fields (Data Division)
Defining data/variables in COBOL
Arrays
Group items
Value clause
Redefines
COMP and COMP-3
Linkage section
Module 5: Sequential File Processing
Using QSAM
VSAM ESDS
SELECT
FD
OPEN
READ
WRITE
CLOSE
Use of RETURN CODE
Issue User abend
Module 6: Structured Programming
Unstructured vs structured program design
Perform instruction – simple, iterative, conditional and varying
Module 7: Decision Making
IF – THEN – ELSE
Nested IF
EVALUATE(CASE/SELECT) 88 level
SET instruction
Module 8: Arithmetic
ADD
DIVIDE
MULTIPLY
SUBTRACT
COMPUTE
Error handling