IBM Mainframe Forum

Hello Folks,

I am new in Mainframe world. I am working with a Z OS system, I know how to move though ISPF interface, submit JOBS, read files with file manager and copybooks and write and change some JCL. In this case, I need to do as the title says. I think i have to options.

1.- Learn COBOL to perform those functions. I have a poor knowledge about COBOL. I know how to compile a simply "Hello world" and submit the JOB. If you recommend this option, what IDE do you use to write code? I hate the ISPF interface to edit code, I would rather edit the code with Notepad for Windows and send the file via FTP when it's complete. Obviously the compilation would be on Mainframe.

2.- Write some generics JCL with file manager functions. I don't know if this is possible, and if it were possible suppose I have to update an attribute of a record that is binary. How would you do that?

Let me know if I get explained, I am not a native speaker.

Regards!

1) IBM RAD is the best IDE.

speak to Your tutor
and ask about the standard and practices used in Your organisation/setup

IBM RAD is the best IDE.

might be... but unfortunately it is NOT free ( Yet )

enrico-sorichetti wrote:speak to Your tutor
and ask about the standard and practices used in Your organisation/setup
)

I am by my own in this project, that's why i am trying to get help from this forum... d'oh.

ask the people responsible for the zOS system You are working on.

enrico-sorichetti wrote:ask the people responsible for the zOS system You are working on.

Those people don't know about FM, if they'd know I wouldn't be here..

Those people don't know about FM, if they'd know I wouldn't be here..

You are probably asking the wrong question then. Ask them how they would access a VSAM data set -- WITHOUT specifying File Manager, File Aid, or any other tool -- and see what they tell you. If the data set is defined to a CICS region, you could (if authorized) use the CECI transaction to handle the VSAM data set with COBOL-like commands.

Also, your post is VERY poorly worded -- a VSAM data set can be ESDS, KSDS, RRDS, or linear and updating / deleting records differs by the type of VSAM data set. And terminology is critical in IT where similar terms may mean very different things -- it is a VSAM data set, not a VSAM file. z/OS has files but they are exclusive to Unix System Services; if it's not being accessed through Unix System Services then it is not a file.

Robert Sample wrote:

Those people don't know about FM, if they'd know I wouldn't be here..

You are probably asking the wrong question then. Ask them how they would access a VSAM data set -- WITHOUT specifying File Manager, File Aid, or any other tool -- and see what they tell you. If the data set is defined to a CICS region, you could (if authorized) use the CECI transaction to handle the VSAM data set with COBOL-like commands.

Also, your post is VERY poorly worded -- a VSAM data set can be ESDS, KSDS, RRDS, or linear and updating / deleting records differs by the type of VSAM data set. And terminology is critical in IT where similar terms may mean very different things -- it is a VSAM data set, not a VSAM file. z/OS has files but they are exclusive to Unix System Services; if it's not being accessed through Unix System Services then it is not a file.

They said with COBOL program ¬¬. The VSAM data set that I need to handle this operations are KSDS.

those people don't know about FM, if they'd know I wouldn't be here..

looks like You did not care to read properly my reply ...
I was talking about standards and practices, not about the lowly technicalities of the tool to be used.

They said with COBOL program

I have a poor knowledge about COBOL.

did anybody in Your organization consider about providing You with proper training!

nico56 wrote:

Robert Sample wrote:

Those people don't know about FM, if they'd know I wouldn't be here..

You are probably asking the wrong question then. Ask them how they would access a VSAM data set -- WITHOUT specifying File Manager, File Aid, or any other tool -- and see what they tell you. If the data set is defined to a CICS region, you could (if authorized) use the CECI transaction to handle the VSAM data set with COBOL-like commands.

Also, your post is VERY poorly worded -- a VSAM data set can be ESDS, KSDS, RRDS, or linear and updating / deleting records differs by the type of VSAM data set. And terminology is critical in IT where similar terms may mean very different things -- it is a VSAM data set, not a VSAM file. z/OS has files but they are exclusive to Unix System Services; if it's not being accessed through Unix System Services then it is not a file.

They said with COBOL program ¬¬. The VSAM data set that I need to handle this operations are KSDS.

I was just asking dude. You could say "It's not possible do that with FM". End of history..