Web Ring All Things COBOL

Introduction

SimoTime Technologies provides services and leverages technology to migrate applications and data between a mainframe and a Windows platform. This includes the conversion of data files between EBCDIC and ASCII. Since many of our efforts involve working with COBOL we have joined the Web Ring for "All Things COBOL".

We have made a significant effort to ensure the documents and software technologies are correct and accurate. We reserve the right to make changes without notice at any time. The function delivered in this version is based upon the enhancement requests from a specific group of users. The intent is to provide changes as the need arises and in a timeframe that is dependent upon the availability of resources.

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SimoTime Technologies and Services
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The COBOL Connection

The COBOL Connection provides examples for the COBOL programmer. The sample programs (or COBOL coding examples) are written using the IBM VS COBOL II dialect with few exceptions. For example, programs that access the system date may require the COBOL/390 dialect to be Y2K compliant. In many examples the programs are coded to the ANSII'85 standard with the exception of programs that use hexadecimal notation (i.e. value X'1F'). The Hexadecimal notation is a COBOL II syntax and is also part of the ANSI/2000 standard. The programs will also work with COBOL for MVS, COBOL/370 and COBOL/390. A few programs use Micro Focus syntax and are documented as such and will not run on the mainframe. These programs are intended for a Windows or UNIX platform running Micro Focus (or microfocus) COBOL. JCL members are provided to run the batch jobs as MVS batch jobs on an IBM mainframe or as a project with Micro Focus Mainframe Express (MFE) running on a PC with Windows.

    Explore the COBOL Connection for more examples of COBOL programming techniques and sample code.

The Assembler Connection

The Assembler Connection provides examples for the mainframe assembler programmer. The sample programs are written to assemble and link using Assembler/H or High Level Assembler (HLASM) when possible. If a technique is used that is unique to a specific dialect it will be noted. JCL members are provided to run the jobs as MVS batch jobs on an IBM mainframe or within a project using Micro Focus Mainframe Express (MFE) running on a Windows System. The 370 Assembler Option for MFE is required to run on the PC. Micro Focus provides a functionally rich mainframe assembler emulator with built-in debugging tools that allow a programmer to step through a program executing one line of source code at a time and viewing the results of register and memory content. If a technique is used that is unique to the mainframe and not supported by the Mainframe Express 370 Assembler Option it will be noted. Refer to http://www.microfocus.com for more information. The Assembler Connection also provides summary documentation for the problem-state instruction set plus detailed documentation for each of the examples. It is intended to be a reference resource for experienced programmers and a learning resource for programmers that want to become familiar with mainframe assembler programming.

    Explore the Assembler Connection for more examples of mainframe Assembler programming techniques and sample code.

The JCL Connection

The JCL Connection provides examples of how to create PDS's and compile programs. The JCL Connection provides a suite of sample programs and documentation that use the mainframe Job Control Language (JCL). The JCL members are written to run as MVS batch jobs on an IBM mainframe or as a project with Micro Focus Mainframe Express (MFE) running on a PC with Windows (refer to http://www.microfocus.com ). If a technique is used that is unique to the mainframe and not supported by Mainframe Express it will be noted.

    Explore the JCL Connection for more examples of JCL functionality with programming techniques and sample code.

The Numbers Connection

The Numbers Connection provides examples and documentation about the various numeric formats used on an IBM Mainframe system. This link provides detailed information about converting, printing, displaying or exporting a variety of numeric fields types.

    Explore the Numbers Connection for additional information about the structure and processing of numeric data items (or numeric fields).

The SQL Connection

Many of the applications running on IBM Mainframes access information that is stored in a DB/2 Relational Data Base. This link is intended for individuals that are learning, creating or maintaining applications that access relational data bases. Unless otherwise stated the examples provided in The SQL Connection will run on an IBM Mainframe using MVS or a Personal Computer using Windows and Micro Focus Mainframe Express.

    Explore the SQL Connection for more examples of how to create, manipulate and delete Relational Data Bases. The COBOL programs are written to compile and execute on a Windows System with SQL Server and Micro Focus Enterprise Server or an IBM Mainframe System with DB2.

The non-Relational Data Connection

The non-Relational Data Connection provides examples of how to create, populate and delete VSAM Data Sets. The VSAM-QSAM Connection provides a suite of sample programs and reference documentation for managing VSAM Data Sets or flat, sequential files (QSAM). Techniques for creating, deleting or updating are included for both VSAM and QSAM. The sample members are written to run as MVS batch jobs on an IBM mainframe or as a project with Micro Focus Mainframe Express (MFE) running on a PC with Windows (refer to http://www.microfocus.com ). If a technique is used that is unique to the mainframe and not supported by Mainframe Express it will be noted.

    Explore the non-Relational Data Connection for more examples of accessing methodologies and coding techniques for Data Files and VSAM Data Sets.

Summary

SimoTime Technologies provides services and leverages technology to migrate applications and data between a mainframe and a Windows platform. This document may be used as a tutorial for new programmers or as a quick reference for experienced programmers.

In the world of programming there are many ways to solve a problem. This documentation and software were developed and tested on systems that are configured for a SIMOTIME environment based on the hardware, operating systems, user requirements and security requirements. Therefore, adjustments may be needed to execute the jobs and programs when transferred to a system of a different architecture or configuration.

SIMOTIME Services has experience in moving or sharing data or application processing across a variety of systems. For additional information about SIMOTIME Services or Technologies please contact us using the information in the  Contact or Feedback  section of this document.

Software Agreement and Disclaimer

Permission to use, copy, modify and distribute this software, documentation or training material for any purpose requires a fee to be paid to SimoTime Technologies. Once the fee is received by SimoTime the latest version of the software, documentation or training material will be delivered and a license will be granted for use within an enterprise, provided the SimoTime copyright notice appear on all copies of the software. The SimoTime name or Logo may not be used in any advertising or publicity pertaining to the use of the software without the written permission of SimoTime Technologies.

SimoTime Technologies makes no warranty or representations about the suitability of the software, documentation or learning material for any purpose. It is provided "AS IS" without any expressed or implied warranty, including the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement. SimoTime Technologies shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, special or consequential damages resulting from the loss of use, data or projects, whether in an action of contract or tort, arising out of or in connection with the use or performance of this software, documentation or training material.

Downloads and Links

This section includes links to documents with additional information that are beyond the scope and purpose of this document. The first group of documents may be available from a local system or via an internet connection, the second group of documents will require an internet connection.

Note: A SimoTime License is required for the items to be made available on a local system or server.

Current Server or Internet Access

The following links may be to the current server or to the Internet.

Note: The latest versions of the SimoTime Documents and Program Suites are available on the Internet and may be accessed using the icon. If a user has a SimoTime Enterprise License the Documents and Program Suites may be available on a local server and accessed using the icon.

    Explore An Enterprise System Model that describes and demonstrates how Applications that were running on a Mainframe System and non-relational data that was located on the Mainframe System were copied and deployed in a Microsoft Windows environment with Micro Focus Enterprise Server.

    Explore the COBOL Connection for more examples of COBOL programming techniques and sample code.

    Explore an Extended List of Software Technologies that are available for review and evaluation. The software technologies (or Z-Packs) provide individual programming examples, documentation and test data files in a single package. The Z-Packs are usually in zip format to reduce the amount of time to download.

    Explore The ASCII and EBCDIC Translation Tables. These tables are provided for individuals that need to better understand the bit structures and differences of the encoding formats.

    Explore The File Status Return Codes that are used to interpret the results of accessing VSAM data sets and/or QSAM files.

Internet Access Required

The following links will require an internet connect.

A good place to start is The SimoTime Home Page for access to white papers, program examples and product information. This link requires an Internet Connection

Explore The Micro Focus Web Site for more information about products (including Micro Focus COBOL) and services available from Micro Focus. This link requires an Internet Connection.

Glossary of Terms

    Explore the Glossary of Terms for a list of terms and definitions used in this suite of documents and white papers.

Comments or Feedback

This document was created and is maintained by SimoTime Technologies. If you have any questions, suggestions, comments or feedback please use the following contact information.

We appreciate hearing from you.

Company Overview

SimoTime Technologies was founded in 1987 and is a privately owned company. We specialize in the creation and deployment of business applications using new or existing technologies and services. We have a team of individuals that understand the broad range of technologies being used in today's environments. Our customers include small businesses using Internet technologies to corporations using very large mainframe systems.

Quite often, to reach larger markets or provide a higher level of service to existing customers it requires the newer Internet technologies to work in a complementary manner with existing corporate mainframe systems. We specialize in preparing applications and the associated data that are currently residing on a single platform to be distributed across a variety of platforms.

Preparing the application programs will require the transfer of source members that will be compiled and deployed on the target platform. The data will need to be transferred between the systems and may need to be converted and validated at various stages within the process. SimoTime has the technology, services and experience to assist in the application and data management tasks involved with doing business in a multi-system environment.

Whether you want to use the Internet to expand into new market segments or as a delivery vehicle for existing business functions simply give us a call or check the web site at http://www.simotime.com