Day 1 (6/26) - Introduction to COBOL Bootcamp; Various Administrative Topics; Introduction to Mainframe, TSO and ISPF Overview, TSO/ISPF Options 0 and 1

• Learning Goals:
  • Set the agenda for the Mainframe bootcamp
  • Describe basics of Mainframe Operating System, Hardware, Software and Networks
  • Explain how data is stored both physically and logically, and what fields, records and files are
  • Describe how the mainframe computer gets work done via JCL and JES
  • Explain the purpose of and differences between Sequential & Partitioned Data Sets
  • Know how to run basic TSO commands
  • Describe TSO and ISPF purpose, functions and modes
  • Be able to log on, log off and browse files
• Lectures (approximately 280 minutes)
• Introduction to the Mainframe
  • Hardware (terminals, tape drives, disk drives, CPU, controllers, printers)
  • Software (system and application)
  • Networks (controllers, modems, SNA)
  • Storage management (DASD, SMS)
  • Overview of JCL and JES
  • Multiprogramming, multitasking, address spaces, paging
  • Online vs. batch
• TSO Overview
• Introduction to Native TSO, including special keys (e.g. ATTN, PA1, PF1)
• Accessing Data on TSO
• Using TSO Commands
• ISPF Overview
• ISPF Options
• ISPF Browse
• LABS (approximately 110 minutes):
  • Log on, browse the catalog and some files
  • Navigate TSO, Execute TSO commands (e.g. LISTALC, LISTCAT, LISTDS)
• Recommended Textbook Reading Chapter 17, pages 486-508
• Knowledge Assessment Quiz – 30 minutes: 01 Mainframe Overview

Day 2 (6/27) - ISPF Editing and Utilities

• Learning Goals:
  • Perform basic Edit functions, including line commands
  • Perform advanced Edit functions, including primary commands
  • Know how to allocate, delete, rename, and view catalog using ISPF Utilities
  • Create .COBOL and .JCL partitioned data sets
• Lectures (approximately 280 minutes)
  • Edit – Primary Commands
  • Edit – Line Commands
  • ISPF Utilities (e.g. Create, Copy, Delete, Move, List, Compare, Libraries)
• LABS (approximately 120 minutes) - Browse files, search for files, create .COBOL and .JCL partitioned data sets, create 2 simple members, Edit line commands, Edit primary commands
  • Recommended Textbook Reading:
  • Portion of chapter 18, pages 512-523
  • Knowledge Assessment Quiz – 20 minutes:
  • 02 TSO/ISPF

Day 3 (6/28) - Introduction to JCL, JOB and EXEC Statement

• Learning Goals:
  • Know purpose of JCL
  • Understand what a job stream is
  • Code JOB and EXEC statements correctly
• Lectures (approximately 200 minutes)
  • Introduction to JCL
  • JOB Statement
  • EXEC Statement
• LABS (approximately 100 minutes)
  • Coding JOB statements at end of chapter
  • Building valid JOB statement on TSO
  • Coding EXEC statements at end of chapter
• Case Study ((approximately 90 minutes) First Team meeting, Simple logic assignment
• Recommended Textbook Reading: Portion of chapter 18, pages 524-525
• Knowledge Assessment Quiz – 20 minutes: 03 JCL Part 1

Day 4 (6/29) - DD Statements

• Learning Goals:
  • Allocate new and old datasets
  • Understand how to point files to printers and dummy devices
  • Understand the Data Control Block and associated JCL keywords (e.g. LRECL)
  • Building a single step JOB on TSO and using the output viewing facility (SDSF)
  • Assess Basic Mainframe Skills (TSO/ISPF, JCL) and Identify learning gaps (if any)
• Lecture (approximately 280 minutes)
  • DD Statement
  • Review topics from first 4 days
• LABS (approximately 120 minutes)
  • Coding DD statements at end of chapter
  • Build and run 1 step job and view output
  • Skill Assessment #1 – 90 minutes: Basic Mainframe Skills (TSO/ISPF/JCL)
• Recommended Textbook Reading
• Portion of chapter 18, pages 530-541
• Portion of chapter 12, pages 332-337
• Knowledge Assessment Quiz – 20 minutes:
• 04 JCL Part 2

Day 5 (6/30) - Skill Assessment Results, Introduction to COBOL Development (Logic, Structure, Pseudocode, Test Plans)

• Learning Goals:
  • Describe Sequence, Selection, Iteration
  • Use basic flowcharting symbols
  • Be able to code a simple flowchart
  • Be able to create a task analysis (pseudocode)
  • Be able to create a Test Plan
• Lecture (approximately 240 minutes) Skill Assessment School Solution and Review
  • Program Development
  • Structured and Top-Down Programming
  • Flowcharts, Structure Charts, Pseudo Code, and Test Plans
• LABS – Logic Basics (approximately 180 minutes)
  • “Logic 1” assignment from COBOL chapter 17
  • Test Plan Workshop
  • Recommended Textbook Reading:
  • Portion of chapter 3, pages 100-103, chapter 4, pages 106-144

Day 6 (7/5) - COBOL Overview, Four Divisions

• Learning Goals:
  • Explain general COBOL Syntax
  • Describe the compile and link process
  • Code the Identification, Environment, Data Division
  • Utilize picture clause, usage clause, and data categories withing a COBOL program, including differences between display, COMP-3 and binary (COMP) numbers
• Lecture (approximately 220 minutes)
  • COBOL Essentials
  • COBOL Overview
  • COBOL Definition
• LABS (approximately 180 minutes)
  • Create COBOL program with necessary definitions and simple logic
  • Identify numeric data in display, COMP-3 and binary format
  • Create and run “Hello World” COBOL program
• Textbook Recommended Reading:
  • Chapter 1, pages 1-23, ch. 3, pages 82-85, ch. 6, pages 190-199 & 206-211, Portion of chapter 3, pages 100-103, chapter 4, pages 106-144
• Knowledge Assessment – 20 minutes:COBOL Chapter 3 Review

Day 7 (7/7) - COBOL Procedure Coding

• Learning Goals:
  • Identify statements, sentences, scope terminators, paragraphs, sections
  • Compile, Link, and Test a simple COBOL program
• Lecture (approximately 230 minutes)
  • Simple Procedures
  • Explain COB01 Lab
• Textbook Recommended Reading:
  • Portion of chapter 3, pages 86-99, chapter 3, pages 82-85, chapter 6, page 200-205
• Knowledge Assessment – 30 minutes:
  • COBOL Chapter 4 Review
• LABS (approximately 70 minutes)
  • COB01: Create a simple COBOL program and fix compile errors
• Case Study (approximately 90 minutes)
  • Second team meeting, research and construct tax logic case study

Day 8 (7/7) - Data Editing

• Learning Goals:
  • Explain end-of-file and loop processing
  • Utilize coding standards and good structure
  • Use switches properly within a program
  • Explain how IF/THEN/ELSE and EVALUATE work
  • Show how PERFORM statement works and why it is important
• Lecture (approximately 120 minutes)
  • Review COB01 Lab using Lab Solution
  • Editing and Branching, Explain COB10 Lab
• Textbook Recommended Reading:
  • Chapter 5, pages 152-179, chapter 3, pages 82-85, chapter 6, page 200-205
• Knowledge Assessment – 20 minutes:
  • COBOL Chapter 5 Review
• LABS (approximately 280 minutes):
  • Finish lab (COB01) from previous day; it is due today
  • Create a COBOL edit program (COB10) and run it successfully

Day 9 (7/10) - Review and Assessment

• Learning Goals:
  • Deepen understanding of COBOL
  • Assess Basic COBOL Skills, Identify learning gaps (if any)
• Review Session (approximately 60 minutes)
  • Review topics from previous 4 days
• Skill Assessment #2 – 90 minutes:
  • Skill Assessment #2 - Code basic COBOL program and run
• Lecture (approximately 90 minutes)
  • Structured COBOL
• School Solution Review (approximately 30 minutes)
  • Review solution to the morning skill assessment
  • Identify topics that need additional review
• LABS (approximately 60 minutes)
  • Additional remedial and/or “deep dive” labs
• Case Study (approximately 90 minutes)
  • Third team meeting, begin coding case study logic only with flowcharts and/or pseudocode
• Textbook (Recommended Reading): Chapter 6, page 200-205

Day 10 (7/11) - COBOL Reports – Part 1

• Learning Goals:
• Understand standard report structure (header, body, footer)
• Know how to use numeric editing masks
• Code carriage control in the report layouts;
• Create WRITE AFTER ADVANCING statements
• Lecture (approximately 180 minutes)
  • COBOL Reports
  • Review COB10 program solution and Explain COB20 Lab
• Textbook (Recommended Reading):
  • Chapter 3, pages 70-99
• Knowledge Assessment – 20 minutes:
  • COBOL Chapters 7 Review
• LABS (approximately 220 minutes)
  • Finish lab (COB10x) from previous day; it is due today
  • Create a COBOL report program (COB20x) and run it successfully

Day 11 (7/12) - COBOL Reports – Part 2; Problem Solving & Debugging

• Learning Goals:
  • Understand purpose of control breaks
  • Successfully code control break according to specifications
  • Understand testing strategies
  • Know available debugging tools for solving abends
  • Understand how to fix common programming errors
• Lecture (approximately 180 minutes)
  • Review COBOL Reports
  • Review COB20 Lab with addition of control break requirement
  • Interpreting the Compiler Listing
  • Testing and Debugging
  • Common System Abend Codes
• Knowledge Assessment – 30 minutes:
  • COBOL Chapter 6 Review, COBOL Chapter 8 Review
• LABS (approximately 210 minutes)
• The Debugging Derby -Teams execute 6 programs that don’t work, debug, fix, and re-test them
• Finish lab (COB20x) without control break
  • Begin making changes to COBOL report program (COB20x) for control breaks
• Textbook Recommended Reading:
  • Chapter 18, pages 542-545

Day 12 (7/13) - Arithmetic, Intrinsic Functions

• Understand basic arithmetic statements
• Utilize counters in a program
• ROUND arithmetic results
• Lecture (approximately 150 minutes)
  • COBOL Arithmetic, Intrinsic Functions
  • Explain COB30 Lab
• Textbook Recommended Reading:
  • Chapter 7, pages 220-239
• Knowledge Assessment – 20 minutes:
  • COBOL Chapter 9 Review
• LABS (approximately 250 minutes)
  • Finish lab with control breaks (COB20x); it is due today
  • Modify program (creating COB30x) to include arithmetic calculations

Day 13 (7/14) - Report Control Breaks and Page Breaks

• Learning Goals:
  • Know how to use control breaks, page breaks, grand totals
• Lecture - Control breaks, Page breaks, Grand Totals (approximately 180 minutes)
  • Review COBOL Reports chapter and discuss grand totals, Review COB30x program solution, Explain COB50 Lab
• Textbook Recommended Reading:
  • Chapter 4, pages 108-109
• LABS (approximately 240 minutes)
  • Finish lab (COB30x); it is due today
  • Modify COB30x (creating COB50x) to put control break logic in place (when STATE changes), page break logic in place (every 40 lines), grand totals in place

Day 14 (7/17) - Called Modules

• Learning Goals:
  • Utilize module modularization with CALL, USING and LINKAGE
  • Understand differences between static and dynamic modules
  • Use CALL BY REFERENCE, CALL BY CONTENT, CALL BY VALUE, ON EXCEPTION, ON OVERFLOW
• Lecture (approximately 70 minutes)
  • Calling other programs
  • Explain CALL Lab
• Textbook Recommended Reading:
  • Chapter 11, pages 320-328
• Knowledge Assessment – 15 minutes:
  • COBOL Chapter 10 Review
• Case Study (approximately 75 minutes)
  • Fifth team meeting, finish coding called module (COB65x) for case study logic
• Pass at least GROSS-AMOUNT/SALARY and FED-TAX as variables
• Determine how you will test this (but do not fully implement yet)
• LABS (Approximately 260 minutes)
  • Modify COB30x to call COB40x for date and time (comment out your data/time logic in case you want to reuse this later on)
  • Study COB40 to see how the time and date processing is done
  • Make this change to COB50 as well
  • If you are ahead of pace, contact instructor about COB15 specifications

Day 15 (7/18) - Table Processing I

• Learning Goals:
  • Describe basic table terminology
  • Load a table from an external file
• Lecture - Loading a Table (approximately 90 minutes)
  • Table Structure
  • Table Handling – Loading a table
• Case Study (approximately 90 minutes)
  • Sixth team meeting, final testing for called module for case study logic
• LABS (approximately 210 minutes)
• Write the first part of COB60x – loading the table using DISPLAYs to verify that every record has been loaded properly.
• Finish lab (revised COB30x); it is due today

Day 16 (7/19) - Table Processing II

• Learning Goals:
  • Assess COBOL Skills
  • Use subscripts and indexes within a table
  • Code the SEARCH and PERFORM varying statements to search tables
• Lecture (approximately 180 minutes)
  • Table Handling – Searching the Table (Serial and Binary)
• Skill Assessment #3 (approximately 90 minutes)
  • Skill Assessment #3 - Online (mainframe) exercise requiring student to debug 6 COBOL programs, documenting the abend code, the corresponding offending COBOL code, the correct fix, and demonstrating the correct results.
• LABS (approximately 150 minutes)
  • Finish coding COB60x to successfully search the table.
  • Finish lab (COB50x); it is due today

Day 17 (7/20) - Additional COBOL/JCL Topics: SMS, GDGs, Utilities

• Learning Goals:
  • Use Generation Data Groups and Generation Data Sets
  • Use Referbacks, Concatenated Datasets, and SMS JCL Parameters
  • Run necessary IDCAMS to create GDG file
  • Exploit IBM Utilities (IEBCOPY, IEBGENER, IEFBR14, SORT, IDCAMS)
• Lecture (approximately 140 minutes)
  • Advanced Data Usage
  • JCL Utilities
• LABS (approximately 280 minutes)
  • Code 4-step job (IDCAMS, IEFBR14, IEBGENER, SORT)
  • Finish lab (COB60x); it is due today

Day 18 (7/10) - JCL Procedures

• Learning Goals:
  • Convert a multi-step JCL to a Catalogued Procedure
  • Use Instream and Cataloged Procedures
  • Provide symbolic variables and overrides for JCL procs
  • Understand how JCL from the catalogued procedure is merged with the run JCL
• Lecture (approximately 120 minutes)
  • JCL Procedures (PROCs)
• LABS (approximately 300 minutes)
  • Convert a 4-step job (IDCAMS, IEFBR14, IEBGENER, SORT) to a catalogued procedure
  • Examine the details of JCL merged from the procedure with the run JCL
  • Create JCL procedure to run COB10x and COB60x programs
  • Run JCL procedure with symbolic variables and overrides

Day 19 (7/24) - VSAM File Handling and IDCAMS

• Learning Goals:
  • Ability to use FileAid or other screen utility to create VSAM and GDG datasets
  • Provide IDCAMS commands for deleting and defining a VSAM dataset
  • Run necessary IDCAMS to load VSAM KSDS file
  • Code COBOL to search a VSAM file
• Lecture (approximately 140 minutes)
  • Basic VSAM, IDCAMS
  • VSAM for COBOL Programmers – part one
  • Explain COB80 program – VSAM Search
• Textbook Recommended Reading:
  • Chapter 19, pages 556-579

LABS (approximately 280 minutes)

• Load data into VSAM KSDS file using IDCAMS and/or FileAid
• Code COB80x, VSAM search program
• Create JCL to run program COB80x

Day 20 (7/25) - VSAM Updating

• Learning Goals:
  • Understand how COBOL programs handle VSAM files
  • Describe differences between QSAM and VSAM
  • Code COBOL to update a VSAM file
• Lecture (approximately 135 minutes)
  • VSAM for COBOL Programmers – part two
  • Explain COB90 program – VSAM Update
• Textbook Recommended Reading:
  • Chapter 14, pages 404-411, Chapter 19, pages 547-555
• Case Study (approximately 75 minutes)
  • Eighth TEAM meeting, prepare presentation for case study logic

LABS (approximately 210 minutes)

• Code COB90x, VSAM update program
• Create JCL to run program COB90x

Day 21(7/26) - Introduction to DB2, Basic SQL Data Manipulation

• Learning Goals:
  • Describe the overall purpose of a database management system and its components
  • Describe the Relational Model of data using common relational terminology
  • List the manipulative operations and give examples of each
  • List the data types supported by DB2 and describe their associated defaults
  • Define DB2’s support for missing information (nulls)
  • Code restricts and projects in SQL using basic predicates and expressions
  • Become familiar with SPUFI for coding and running queries
• Lecture (approximately 180 minutes)
  • Relational Database Concepts
  • Basic Data Manipulation
  • SPUFI
• LABS (approximately 90 minutes)
  • Basic Data Manipulation
  • Knowledge Assessment – 60 minutes:
  • Introduction to DB2 and SQL Review
• Skill Assessment #4 – Intermediate Mainframe (90 minutes)
  • Online (mainframe) exercise requiring student to

a) Purge output jobs no longer needed using SDSF b) Override JCL proc according to instructions c) Compress partitioned data sets d) Compare two datasets to each other, noting the differences Day 22 (7/27) - Intermediate Data Manipulation with SQL, Built-in Functions

• Learning Goals:
  • Define the functionality of special registers in DB2
  • Code SQL statements using compound conditions with boolean operators.
  • Code where-clause predicates utilizing special SQL keywords for restriction
  • State the difference between scalar functions and column functions.
  • Define the basic families of string, numeric, and date/time functions
  • Code SQL operations that implement summarization via the GROUP BY clause and restrict groups as necessary with the HAVING clause
  • Code single-row and multiple-row INSERT statements.
• Lectures (approximately 210 minutes)
  • Intermediate Data Manipulation
  • Built-in Functions
  • Aggregation
• LABS (approximately 210 minutes)
  • Intermediate Data Manipulation
  • Built-in Functions

Day 23 (7/28)- Introduction to Embedded SQL

• Learning Goals:
  • List the steps in program development.
  • Relate DB2 datatypes to COBOL elementary items.
  • Use SELECT...INTO for retrieving single rows into working storage variables.
  • State the approach and methods associated with the DECLARE TABLE statement.
  • Define and use the fields of the SQL communications area in programming situations.
  • State the steps in program preparation and describe the inputs & outputs of each step.
  • Describe the approaches available for binding packages and plans.
• Lectures (approximately 210 minutes)
  • Introduction to Embedded SQL
  • Program Preparation
  • Using SELECT . . . INTO
• LABS (approximately 210 minutes)
  • Embedded SQL Workshop (Singleton Select)

Day 24 (7/31) - CICS Overview

• Learning Goals:
  • Understand the general concepts and principles of CICS
  • Define CICS & its terminology (OLTP, Concurrency, LUW, Transaction, BMS, etc.)
  • Discuss the flow of a CICS transaction through the various components of CICS
  • Be aware of the different CICS supplied transactions
  • Understand syntax of CICS commands
  • Define Mapsets, Maps, and Fields; Physical and Symbolic Maps; Steps involved in creating and compiling Maps
  • List the tables used to define CICS Resources and explain CICS Naming Conventions
  • Describe coding requirements and restrictions for COBOL CICS programs
  • Discuss program design considerations for CICS applications and the pseudo-conversational method of connecting CICS tasks
  • List options for passing application data between CICS tasks
• Lectures (approximately 210 minutes)
  • Chapter 1 - Introduction to CICS
  • Chapter 2 – CICS Architecture
  • Chapter 3 – Basic Mapping Support (SEND MAP, RECEIVE MAP)
  • Chapter 4 – Programming Considerations
• LABS (approximately 230 minutes)
  • Learning to use CICS Supplied Transactions
  • Display a BMS map, navigate CECI, and make use of the CLEAR, RESET, and function keys
  • CEMT, CEDF, CEOT, CESF, CECI: ADDRESS, ASSIGN and SEND MAPS
  • Test a Map
• Embedded SQL Workshop (Singleton Select) is due today!

Day 25 (8/1) - CICS Programming – Part 1

• Learning Goals:
  • Define the main concepts of VSAM data set organization, and the use of free space in adding records to and deleting records from a KSDS
  • Invoke access method services (IDCAMS) to (1) Print VSAM and non-VSAM data sets, (2) Print Catalog Entries, (3) Delete and Define VSAM data sets, (4) Load VSAM data sets, (5) Backup/Recover VSAM data sets, (6) Interpret control information from VSAM catalogs
  • Explain the relationship of data sets to control intervals and control areas
  • Write COBOL CICS programs which process VSAM KSDS files and invoke CICS services
  • Understand the contents of the Execute Interface Block (EIB)
  • Understand how to deal with anticipated and unexpected exceptional conditions (results of command requests)
  • Know how to interface directly with the Execute Interface Program through the Command Level Interpreter (CECI)
  • Transfer control between CICS programs, both at the same level and subordinate level, using LINK, XCTL, RETURN, and LOAD
  • Know how and why to return control to CICS, and abend a CICS program
  • Understand how to use a Communication Area
  • Use the Execution Diagnostic Facility to interactively test a CICS application (CEDF)
  • Know how to send and receive simple messages from the program to the terminal
  • Utilize both random and sequential file processing options with VSAM files
  • Know how to be aware of and avoid the possibility of a deadlock
• Lectures (approximately 210 minutes)
  • Chapter 5 – VSAM Essentials for CICS
  • Chapter 6 – Command Level Interface
  • Chapter 7 – Program Control
  • Chapter 8 – Terminal Control
• LABS (approximately 230 minutes)
  • Use CEMT command to retrieve file and program information
  • Create and run a “Hello World” CICS program, including navigating the compile, link, and CEMT process
  • Create and load data into a VSAM KSDS data set
  • Compile a program (COB92) to replace the VSAM update program (COB90). Instead of using an input file, the program will get information from a terminal map, and be able to browse records in the STATETAX file
  • Change program (COB92) to include functionality to make changes to state tax information, insert new records, and delete state tax records

Day 26 (8/2) - CICS Programming – Part 2 - and Resources

• Learning Goals:
  • Understand the concepts and use of Temporary Storage (TS)
  • Understand the concepts and usage of Transient Data (TD)
  • Explain the critical elements of using relational databases
  • Use the appropriate method to access DB2 databases from CICS programs
  • Show the similarity between the SQLCA and the EIB
  • Tell which CICS table contains DB2 plan information
  • Define Logical Unit of Work (LUW) and know how to protect CICS resources
  • Understand how to create, retrieve, and delete Temporary Storage queues
  • Create, retrieve, and delete Transient Data services
• Lecture (approximately 210 minutes)
  • Chapter 9 - File Control
  • Chapter 11 - Additional Services (Temporary Storage, Transient Data)
  • Chapter 12 - DB2 Interface
• LABS (approximately 230 minutes)
  • Use CECI to browse files with the STARTBR command
  • Continue changing program (COB92) to include functionality to make changes to state tax information, insert new records, and delete state tax records

Day 27 (8/3) - CICS Review and Assessment; Case Study Presentations

• Learning Goals:
  • Assess CICS Skills; Identify learning gaps (if any)
• Lecture (approximately 90 minutes)
  • Review topics from previous 3 days
• LABS (approximately 230 minutes
  • Continue changing program (COB92) to include functionality to make changes to state tax information, insert new records, and delete state tax records
• SKILL ASSESSMENT #5 – 90 minutes:
• Online (mainframe) exercise requiring student to

a) Change a BMS map to include changes to requirements b) Change a COBOL CICS program to include changes to requirements c) Compile, link, and properly CEMT the updates d) Execute the transaction code to produce the correct updated system

• School Solution Review (approximately 30 minutes)
  • Review solution to the morning skill assessment
  • Identify topics that need additional review

Day 28 (8/4) - Union, Data Modification, Additional Concepts in Data Manipulation with SQL, Case Study Presentations

• Learning Goals:
  • Define basic UNION operations and differentiate between UNION and UNION ALL
  • State the requirement for self-joins and the procedure to accomplish them in SQL
  • Describe the operation of the outer join and define their relationship to inner joins
  • Use the EXISTS quantifier with correlated subqueries and compare its operation to non-correlated subqueries using IN
  • Code searched update and deletes that affect one row, many rows, or all rows of a table
• Lectures (approximately 90 minutes)
  • Set Operations (UNION, INTERSECT & EXCEPT)
  • Data Modification
• LABS (approximately 90 minutes)
  • Set Operations (UNION, INTERSECT & EXCEPT)
  • Data Modification
• Case Study (approximately 240 minutes)
  • Presentations by student teams for case study project