OVERVIEW
This class will refresh the knowledge and skills needed to code efficient COBOL programs. This course is for programmers who’s COBOL is a bit rusty. Topics include a refresher of the major divisions of a COBOL program, Working-Storage data types, calls to other programs using the Linkage Section, table processing, performance tips, and structured program design.
DURATION: 2 Days
OBJECTIVES
- Review and practice the concepts of logic design
- Review and practice COBOL programming
- Review COBOL data layouts
- Review the powerful new Intrinsic Functions, with details on Current Date and Current Time
- Review Procedure Division verbs
- Review and practice table processing
- Review and practice calling subroutines
- Review COBOL performance tips
- Review and practice using template programs
AUDIENCE
This course is designed for programmers who have learned and/or coded COBOL in the past and need a refresher. The use of efficient templates throughout this course will help you to quickly get up to speed developing efficient COBOL programs for your team.
PREREQUISITES
Previous experience and/or training in any version of COBOL.
FORMAT/MATERIALS
This course includes a combination of lecture, discussion and numerous computer labs. Participants will receive a detailed reference-like manual containing lecture notes and an optional textbook.
CONTENT – DAY 1
STRUCTURED PROGRAMMING DESIGN CONCEPTS
- Review logic design concepts
- Review design options, pseudo-code and flow charting
- Review standard template logical model
- Lab 1 – Design the logic flow for a Batch Report Program
COBOL REFRESHER
- Review major divisions
- FD in the FILE SECTION
- Working Storage Section
- Basic template for Procedure Division
- Procedure division verbs
- Review Compile process/JCL
- Review JCL needed to Run program
- Lab 2: Copy, edit, compile, and submit, standard template
- List of all Intrinsic Functions
- Intrinsic Functions details for:
- Current date
- Current time
TABLE PROCESSING
- Review single dimension tables
- Define the Search verb
- Define the linear and binary search
- Define indexes and subscripts
- Review Table Processing template
- Lab 3: Develop a COBOL program to process single dimension tables-using both binary and linear searches.
- Review multi-dimensional tables
CONTENT – DAY 2
CALLING SUBROUTINES
- Concept of calling another program
- Syntax and use of CALL verb
- Input and output parameters
- Linkage Section and rules
- Procedure Division USING format
- Lab 4: Write a program Calling using templates
PERFORMANCE TIPS
- Improve readability
- Top down design considerations
- Data tips
- Commands to use
- Commands to avoid
- Misc. design tips
- Common error messages