| Course Code | Course Title Course synopsis (ending with student handout info) Prerequisite |
Days Price (USD) |
| General / Introduction Courses | ||
| A-010 | Introduction to Application Programming (z/OS) Basic computer concepts: data description; program flow and design; pseudo-code; examples of programs in various languages; mainframe hardware overview; data representation; base 10, base 2, base 16; z/OS vocabulary: virtual storage, DASD organization, TSO/ISPF, batch vs. online; paper labs only. (180 pages, index) Prerequisite: None, just an apptitude for programming. |
2 ($400) |
| A-500 | Introduction to z/OS Intended for developers new to IBM mainframes (or familiar with IBM mainframes but not familiar with z/OS). Vocabulary and descriptions, no labs. (198 pages, index) Prerequsite: familiarity with any non-z/OS system |
1 ($200) |
| TSO, CLIST, REXX, ISPF / Dialog Manager | ||
| A-633 | TSO/ISPF in z/OS A thorough, intense introduction to ISPF for developers and systems people. Covers structure / organization of ISPF, many z/OS terms, ISPF commands and look-and-feel, utility functions (3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4), browse, view, and edit. Also discusses submitting jobs and looking at the output using ISPF 3.8 or SDSF, or IOF, or Flasher, or (E)JES. (432 pages, 2-page summary sheet, index) Prerequisite: None, although it helps to have some background such as found in A-010 |
3 ($600) |
| A-634 | ISPF Update Here's a chance to get up to date with all the changes that have been implemented in ISPF since you first learned it. There are lots of new commands and new capabilities that can allow you to be more effective using this tool. (270 pages, index) Prerequisite: ISPF knowledge / background; this is an update for experienced ISPF users |
2 ($400) |
| A-635 | Advanced ISPF in z/OS A deeper exploration of a few topics in ISPF: how to use the Status Area (including the undocumented appointment calendar feature), command nesting, more dslist (ISPF 3.4) commands and features, the edit compare command, the search and compare dialogs, additional ASCII and Unicode support, an introduction to edit macros. (152 pages, index) Prerequisite: A-633, or equivalent experience. |
1 ($200) |
| A-650 | TSO CLIST Programming in z/OS An introduction to the CLIST language, primarily for those who need to maintain existing CLISTs; also, the only place where we teach the native TSO edit command. (322 pages, index) Prerequisite: A-633, or equivalent experience. |
3 ($600) |
| A-700 | ISPF and JCL on z/OS This is a combination of A-633 and B-610, enabling an ISPF / JCL package to fit into a five day work week. This is done by eliminating redundant passages and dropping a few topics. The omitted topics are: A short introduction to the mainframe environment; reference lists; the Workplace shell; ISPF VSAM support; DELETE and LISTC TSO commands. (662 pages, ISPF summary sheet, JCL summary sheet, index) Prerequisite: None, although it helps to have some background such as found in A-010 |
5 ($1000) |
| A-750 | TSO REXX Programming in z/OS A thorough introduction to REXX on z/OS, including a number of TSO commands, and how to use the REXX compiler. (520 pages, summary of REXX commands and TSO commands covered, index) Prerequisite: A-633, or equivalent experience. |
5 ($1000) |
| A-780 | Introduction to TSO and REXX APIs Covers interaces to TSO and REXX services when running under TSO or in batch; interaces that allow Assembler and compiled programs to invoke TSO commands and to access and change REXX variables. How to write programs invoked from EXECs using ADDRESS LINK, ADDRESS ATTACH, ADDRESS LINKMVS, ADDRESS ATTCHMVS, ADDRESS LINKPGM and ADDRESS ATTCHPGM. (196 pages, index) Prerequisite: A-750, and experience with one of these programming languages: Assembler, COBOL, PL/I, C. |
2 ($400) |
| A-810 | Developing Dialog Manager Applications in z/OS This fun class assumes prior knowledge of REXX or CLIST and then moves on to provide a thorough introduction to developing, coding, testing, and maintaining applications to be run under the ISPF environment. Panel definition language, ISPF variables and variable services, ISPF service functions (LIBDEF, DISPLAY, LMxxxx, etc.), ISPF messages and message services, pop up windows, scrollable fields, menus, debugging, Edit, View, and Browse, ISPF tables, File tailoring, introduction to Dialog Tag Language, ISPPDTLC service. (682 pages, appendices, index) Prerequisite: A-633 and (A-650 (CLIST) or A-750 (REXX)) - or equivalent experience. |
5 ($1000) |
| JCL and Utilities | ||
| B-610 | z/OS JCL & Utilities A very intense introduction to JCL, covering all the essentials (JOB, EXEC, DD, OUTPUT, IF / THEN, ELSE, ENDIF, INCLUDE, SET, JCLLIB, PROC, PEND, cataloged and instream procedures, symbolic parameters) as well as a few utilities (IEBGENER, IDCAMS, SORT). (344 pages, JCL summary sheet, index) Prerequisite: A-633, or equivalent experience. |
3 ($600) |
| B-620 | Advanced Topics in z/OS JCL This class covers most of B-610 very quickly, setting environment for deeper lectures at various points, then moves in to new territory (JCL debugging, VIO, multi-volume data sets, extended format data sets, striped data sets, large format data sets, HFS files, IEBGENER, IEBCOPY, more advanced sort techniques, GDGs, Internal readers, step restart, JES control statements, and more). (416 pages, JCL and JES control statements summary, index) Prerequisite: B-610, or equivalent experience. |
3 ($600) |
| B-625 | Using DFSORT and ICETOOL The only DFSORT / ICETOOL course on the market, this is a deep and extensive examination of these two utilities. (562 pages, appendices, index) Prerequisite: B-610, or equivalent experience. |
4 ($800) |
| Assembler Language | ||
| C-410 | z/OS Assembler Programming Part 1: Beginnings
This first class in the series introduces the fundamental, underlying concepts, the classic hardware instructions, Assembler instructions (DS, DC, CSECT, END, START, ORG, DSECT, AMODE, RMODE, EQU, CNOP), and all the solid fundamentals. (402 pages, instruction summary, index) Prerequisite: A-633, or equivalent experience. |
5 ($1000) |
| C-414 | z/OS Assembler Programming Part 2: Interfaces
Building on the first class in the series, this course covers standard linkage conventions, QSAM file processing, subroutine linkages, introduction to the program binder, and debugging. Some system services (WTO, SNAP, TIME, STCK, CONVTOD, LOAD, DELETE, LINK, XCTL, GETMAIN, FREEMAIN) are discussed. Includes handling of variable length records, QSAM update in place, 31-bit addressing concerns and writing re-entant code. (304 pages, appendices, index) Prerequisite: C-410, or equivalent experience. |
3 ($600) |
| C-416 | z/OS Assembler Programming Part 3: Update
This course covers new hardware instructions introduced by machines in the 1990's as well as features introduced in HALSM V1R4. Includes the halfword immediate instructions, relative branching, Unicode support, new Assembler parm features, and new USING featured. (144 pages, appendix, index) Prerequisite: C-414, or equivalent experience. |
1 ($200) |
| C-500 | z/OS Assembler Programming Part 4: z/Architecture
and z/OS Keeping it all current, this course covers all the new hardware instructions introduced with the various System z machines (at least, those features relevant to application programs) as well as the new facilities in HLASM V1R5 and V1R6. Includes working with 64-bit addresses and integers, new save area conventions, some of the new system services (IARV64 especially) and some of the enhanced support in the program binder. Also includes a description of the new instructions in the new zEC12 mainframe from IBM, announced in August of 2012. (552 pages, index) Prerequisite: C-416, or equivalent experience. |
4 ($800) |
| See also UC06, "Writing z/OS CGIs in Assembler" below | ||
| COBOL | ||
| D-704 | Enterprise COBOL Update Intended for experienced programmers who have not had a chance to get caught up with the latest IBM COBOL compilers, this course covers all the significant changes in COBOL from COBOL II V3 through Enterprise COBOL V4R2, including a brief introduction to Language Environment. (404 pages, appendix on Millenium Language Extensions, index) Prerequisite: Experience writing COBOL programs. |
2 ($400) |
| D-705 | Enterprise COBOL Unicode and XML Support This course if for the experienced COBOL programmer who has a need to process XML data from a COBOL program. Since Unicode plays a prominent role in XML, we begin with a look at the features included in COBOL for working with Unicode data, then we explore XML PARSE and XML GENERATE (using both XMLPARSE(COMPAT) and XMLPARSE(XMLSS) options). (228 pages, appendix, index) Prerequisite: D-704, or equivalent experience. |
2 ($400) |
| D-715 | Structured COBOL Workshop for Enterprise COBOL This is a first course for programmers new to COBOL. It could be their first programming language, or it also works if the programmer is adding COBOL to their existing skill set. (524 pages, appendix, index) Prerequisite: A-633, or equivalent experience. |
5 ($1000) |
| D-725 | Advanced Topics in COBOL (Enterprise, z/OS) This course builds on D-715 by adding discussions on subroutines, tables (with subscripts and indexes), variable length records, string handling, and, optionally, the COBOL SORT and MERGE verbs. (302 pages, index) Prerequisite: D-715, or equivalent experience. |
3 ($600) |
| D-732 | Enterprise COBOL Debugging and Maintenance
This course focuses on debugging COBOL programs, including using LE dumps (CEEDUMPs), tools available in the COBOL language, and LE condition handling. It also includes a deeper look into subroutines and the program binder. (314 pages, appendices, index) Prerequisite: D-725, or equivalent experience. |
2 ($400) |
| See also D-540, "VSAM for COBOL Programmers" below | ||
| See also UC04, "Writing z/OS CGIs in COBOL" below | ||
| VSAM | ||
| G-510 | VSAM With Access Method Services Here we cover VSAM vocabulary and concepts then how to load and display records from VSAM data sets, (includes coverage of ESDS, KSDS, RRDS, and AIX) and how to estimate space requirements for VSAM data sets. (196 pages, index) Prerequisite: A-633, or equivalent experience. |
2 ($400) |
| D-540 | VSAM For COBOL Programmers Here we cover VSAM vocabulary and concepts then how to load, access, and update VSAM data sets from COBOL programs (includes coverage of ESDS, KSDS, RRDS, and AIX). (260 pages, index) Prerequisite: D-715, or equivalent experience. |
2 ($400) |
| E-540 | VSAM For PL/I Programmers Here we cover VSAM vocabulary and concepts then how to load, access, and update VSAM data sets from PL/I programs (includes coverage of ESDS, KSDS, RRDS, and AIX). (186 pages, index) Prerequisite: E-710, or equivalent experience. |
2 ($400) |
| Language Environment, InterLanguage Communication, DLLs | ||
| M-512 | Using LE Services in z/OS A thorough introduction to the terms, vocabulary, and concepts of Language Environment. This course also examines all the run time options and callable services and many ways to use these services from programs written in COBOL, Assembler, PL/I, and C. (620 pages, appendices, index) Prerequisite: A-633, and experience with one of these programming languages: Assembler, COBOL, PL/I, C. |
3 ($600) |
| M-520 | Cross Program Communication in z/OS
This course explores the intricacies of one program calling another. The calling program and the called program may be written in the same language or a different language (the course covers Assembler, COBOL, PL/I, and C: students choose the language(s) they want to explore). We explore static calls and dynamic calls. How to define variables, structures, and tables is explored, and how to pass these items (by reference, by content, by value) and how to receive them. This includes passing and recieving a variable number of parameters. The class delves into the structure of object code and the workings of the program binder. We also examine the creation and use of multiple entry points and shared data. (490 pages, appendices, index) Prerequisite: M-512, and experience with one of these programming languages: Assembler, COBOL, PL/I, C. |
3 ($600) |
| M-525 | Creating and Using DLLs in z/OS
In this course we examine the concepts and vocabulary of DLLs (Dynamic Link Libraries) and then put them into practice with labs that created and invoke DLLs. DLLs may be written in Assembler, COBOL, PL/I, and C, and they may be invoked from programs written in Assembler, COBOL, PL/I, and C - the invoking program does not have to be written in the same language as the DLL being invoked. We also discuss PL/I packages. (150 pages, index) Prerequisite: M-520, and experience with one of these programming languages: Assembler, COBOL, PL/I, C. |
1 ($200) |
| z/OS UNIX System Services | ||
| U-510 | Introduction to z/OS UNIX This class provides a solid introduction to working in the z/OS UNIX environment, including over 60 commands and building a small (three page) website. Also discusses UDList (ISPF 3.17) and telnet. (512 pages, appendices including command summary, index) Prerequisite: A-633, or equivalent experience. |
3 ($600) |
| U-515 | Shell Script Programming in z/OS UNIX
This course extends the work done in U-510 by discussing additional commands and how to create and run shell scripts. Includes user-defined fucntions, sed, and the BPXBATCH facility. The interested student will also find a good introduction to vi and the bc programming language. (580 pages, appendicies, index) Prerequisite: U-510, or equivalent experience. |
3 ($600) |
| U-518 | You and z/OS and the World Wide Web
This course is thorough introduction to HTML, as embodied by the evolving HTML 5 standard, as well as CSS (Cascading Style Sheets), JavaScript, DOM (the Document Object Model), tables, client side maps, cookies, iframes, audio and video elements, lots more, all intended to be produced and served from your z/OS system. (662 pages, appendices, summaries, index) Prerequisite: U-510, or equivalent experience. (U-515 would be nice, too, but you can get by without that.) |
5 ($1000) |
| U-520 | Developing Applications for z/OS UNIX
Here we move into coding programs that use z/OS UNIX facilities. The course supports Assembler, COBOL, PL/I, and C languages: the students each choose the language(s) they prefer to work in. The programs created can: interact with the user at a terminal, handle files (classic MVS files or z/OS files), and dynamically call subroutines. The programs can be run from the shell or, in some cases, in batch. We cover Assembling / compiling, and binding using z/OS UNIX commands instead of JCL. A deep exploration of make and makefiles allows creating procedures to simplify the maintenance process. (492 pages, appendices, index) Prerequisite: U-510, or equivalent experience, plus experience with one of these programming languages: Assembler, COBOL, PL/I, C. Knowing the content of M-512 also helps. |
3 ($600) |
| UC01 | Introduction to CGIs on z/OS
This course lays the groundwork for creating and running CGIs on a z/OS system used as a web server. Common terms, procedures, and data formats are discussed. Sample CGIs in many languages are used as examples. This course is expected to be followed by one of our langauge-specific CGI courses. (208 pages, appendix, index) Prerequisite: U-518, or equivalent experience. |
1 ($200) |
| UC04 | Writing z/OS CGIs in COBOL
Using techniques learned in previous courses, the student now learns how to code and run CGIs written in COBOL. These include handling redirection requests and both GET and POST requests. The CGIs access VSAM files and (if DB2 is available) DB2 tables. The use of Unicode is also covered, as well as submitting jobs to the batch from a CGI. (220 pages, appendix, index) Prerequisite: UC01 and experience coding COBOL programs. |
2 ($400) |
| UC06 | Writing z/OS CGIs in Assembler Using techniques learned in previous courses, the student now learns how to code and run CGIs written in Assembler. These include handling redirection requests and both GET and POST requests. The CGIs access VSAM files and (if DB2 is available) DB2 tables. The use of Unicode is also covered, as well as submitting jobs to the batch from a CGI. (262 pages, appendix, index) Prerequisite: UC01 and experience coding Assembler programs. |
2 ($400) |
The Collected Papers of Steve Comstock
The following papers are being sold as a group. The price for the collection (USD 75) includes any supporting file(s) associated with these documents such as samples of code, test data, and so on.
z/OS, Language Environment, and UNIX - How They Work Together; 157 pages
Introduction to Java in z/OS - an unfinished course, available as is (still rough); 459 pages plus supporting files
Using DIV and style sheets to format an HTML page; 24 pages
Setting Up the IBM HTTP Server; 40 pages
Hosting a Web Site on z/OS - one person's experience; 17 pages
Porting Apache 2.2.9 to z/OS 1.9, 34 pages
Coding AJAX Applications (Using HTML, JavaScript, and COBOL on z/OS); 80 pages plus supporting files
The Arc of DB2 (LOBs, Unicode, and XML in DB2 V9.1); 100 pages plus supporting files
Enterprise COBOL: A tool for growth; 77 pages
Applications Assembler Programming for z; 47 pages
Writing Reentrant Programs (in Assembler); 26 pages
I/O and AMODE 31; 7 pages
UNIX Shell Commands: tsort; 3 pages
The Future of Mainframes Is Now; 28 pages
Introduction to Unicode; 52 pages
Introduction to XSLT; 30 pages
The UNIX bc programming language; 36 pages
Serving Java docs from z/OS; 20 pages
Creating Modern Business Applications on z/OS; 24 pages
z/OS Control Blocks for Beginners; 52 pages plus supporting file
DB2 and LOBS; 50 pages plus supporting files
Doing Arithmetic Using Packed Decimal Instructions; 100 pages plus supporting file
For this closeout sale, we have also included our set of VSPs (Very Short Presentations) in the Collected Papers set - each is 15 pages or less. Most of these files are in .pdf format, although some are in both .pdf and .prz format. Note also there are some papers similar to each other: these were typically designed for separate audiences covering the same topic.
New Tricks for Old Dogs: Modern IBM Mainframes - Hardware; PDF.
New Tricks for Old Dogs: Modern IBM Mainframes - Operating System; PDF.
New Tricks for Old Dogs: Modern IBM Mainframes - Programming Languages; PDF.
Upgrade Your Programming Staff: Engage your IT staff once again; PDF.
Teaching New Tricks to Old Dogs: Engage your IT staff once again; PDF.
New Tricks for Old Dogs: Assembler Language - Big Picture; PDF.
New Tricks for Old Dogs: COBOL - Big Picture; PDF.
COBOL Changes: COBOL - A Living Language; PDF and PRZ.
COBOL Changes: Format and Structure; PDF.
COBOL Changes: The IDENTIFICATION DIVISION; PDF and PRZ.
COBOL Changes: The Environment Division - Structure; PDF.
COBOL Changes: The Data Division - Sections; PDF.
COBOL Changes: Data types allowed in COBOL programs; PDF.
COBOL Changes: Details - I; PDF.
COBOL Changes: Work with a subset of a DISPLAY or NATIONAL data item; PDF.
IBM Enterprise COBOL: The Data Division - Sections; PDF.
IBM Enterprise COBOL: Declaring Data Items in COBOL programs; PDF and PRZ.
IBM Enterprise COBOL: Data types allowed in COBOL programs; PDF and PRZ.
IBM Enterprise COBOL: The Environment Division - Structure; PDF.
IBM Enterprise COBOL: Declaring Files; PDF.
COBOL Coding Overview: Format and Structure; PDF.
IBM Enterprise COBOL: The IDENTIFICATION DIVISION; PDF and PRZ.
IBM Enterprise COBOL: COBOL - A Living Language; PDF and PRZ.
IBM Enterprise COBOL: The PICTURE clause and Data Editing; PDF and PRZ.
IBM Enterprise COBOL: Work with a subset of a DISPLAY or NATIONAL data item; PDF.
Internationalization: Overview; PDF.
Character Encoding: Introduction to EBCDIC, ASCII, and Unicode; PDF.
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this page last updated: 15 August, 2015
this page copyright © 2015 by Steven H. Comstock.