openmainframeproject / cobol-programming-course Goto Github PK

Super doc!

code4z is open source tooling containing extensions that improve the development process when working with COBOL. Code4z enables developers to use (among others) the Zowe Explorer and Cobol language support VS code extensions.

This offers additional tooling for folks developing COBOL applications in VS Code.

I would like to open a PR that will add a chapter introducing COBOL LS extension and also add Introducing for Zowe Explorer (something frequently mentioned in the course but which lacks a formal introduction).

I'm doing the VS Code set up and IBM Java 8 is a prerequisite for IBM Z Open Editor. I'm using Windows 10 but I'm not sure which version of IBM Java 8 to use. Should I install IBM Eclipse or should I use the Linux install. I enabled Linux on my laptop.

I'm a little confused. I'm not sure where to configure Java either.

Section 2.2.1: First Sentence
"....., it needs to know the that file we are editing is in fact COBOL type."

I am a little confused on this lab. Although I was able to compile the CBL0007J file with no errors, I still don't understand why the original source code would not be able to compile without errors. The only thing I did to get a no-error compile was remove the END-IF terminator at the end of the paragraph in question. That being said, documentation says that IF statements are explicitly terminated by using END-IF. What am I missing here?

Many thanks.

I have installed them, just wondering

1. Does they have compiler in there like Open Cobol IDE?
2. Who can show me a video, how to use vs code to edit and debug Cobol?

Appreciated.
Tom

Looks like only Labs is relevant. There is no Chapter folder.

From windows environment
https://192.86.32.250:10443
provided userid and password
Works like a charm

...so, what is MY user-id and password. I think the last I heard from @Sudharsana-Srinivasan was "What is provided in the documentation is an example.
We are currently working on getting system access documentation in place, that will go hand in hand with this course to be able to execute the labs." Did that come out or am I backed-up? How do I get my own credentials for the connection string? Help appreciated.

Originally posted by @sabybasu in #28 (comment)

Yesterday there was a webinar, all suscribed to it, were provided with a userID and a password to access the mainframe located at https://192.186.32.250:10443

In Chapter 2, section 2.1.3 of COBOL Programming with VSCode.md, it says:

To see a more detailed instruction on installing this extension, visit Chapter 5 "Install VSCode and Extensions".

However, Chapter 5 is Data Division according to the Table of Contents. Chapter 3 is titled Installation of VSCode and extensions according to the Table of Contents.

9.2.3. in the COBOL Programming with VSCode.pdf document doesn’t correctly demonstrate the relationship between conditional variables and their related condition-names.

Example 1 shows a conditional variable, USA-STATE, with one related condition-name, STATE, which is true whenever USA-STATE contains the value ‘TX’:

01 USA-STATE PIC X(2) VALUE SPACES.
88 STATE VALUE 'TX'.

The text implies, and the example demonstrates, that the condition-name can be modified:

MOVE 'AZ' TO STATE.

That line won’t compile, since 88-levels themselves aren’t modifiable. Instead, the value in USA-STATE must be modified to change the state (TRUE or FALSE) of the condition name. The example should read:

MOVE ‘AZ’ to USA-STATE.

and

MOVE ‘TX’ to USA-STATE.

The text also needs to be modified accordingly.

Hi @jmertic I saw your message over on the hackernews thread. I'm interested in following the course and learning COBOL but as it is I feel perfectly qualified to open some word docs and transpose them into markdown, let me know I can help.

It's been 20 years since I've worked with Visual studio. I downloaded and installed the Community version. I didn't know what packages to pick so I randomly picked a component so it would finish the install. In the extension marketplace, I can't find the IBM Z Open Editor extension. When I visit via the web I can find it, but when I clicked Install it told me I didn't have Visual Studio setup. Do I need to have a paid version of VS or something?

The COBOL files in the "cbl" folder don't have any of the known file extensions mentioned in chapter 2.2.1 of the "COBOL Programming with VS Code" PDF. Thus syntax highlighting in the Z Open Editor does not work as described.

Hello, I would like to access the slack workspace but hear from Slack that I must be invited by the team. Can someone please help me? thanks!

What is IP address for connecting to z/OS? I successfully registered for COBOL Programming with VSCode Labs Confirmation, just need IP and port :)

Awesome initiative, I hope to be able to contribute to this project :)

Command line interfaces can significantly improve development processes through the use of scripting. Zowe CLI is an open source tool that provides remote interaction with the mainframe and as an extensible technology, mainframe development products.

The Zowe CLI enables developers and DevOps engineers to control, script and develop on the mainframe like any other cloud platform and allows them to make use of familiar, industry-standard, open-source tooling. This helps address the skills gap and onboard COBOL developers by making mainframe development more attractive and accessible.

I intend to open a PR that adds a chapter introducing Zowe CLI, Zowe CLI Plug-ins, and how these technologies can help folks working with mainframe COBOL apps. It will also add a chapter on the installation of Zowe CLI and Plug-ins.

In a future issue/PR, I also intend to add a lab for using the command line interface and developing automation that will follow a similar structure to the first lab using the Zowe Explorer.

I am unable to locate it in the Coursera website.

Thank you,
ScottC

Could someone copy an unmodified set of Class Materials to a separate High Level Qualifier that all users on the system would have R/O access to, such as 'SYS2.Z80000.CBL', 'SYS2.Z80000.JCL', etc.? This would serve serveral purposes:

1. Have a clean set of files (already loaded on the mainframe) to restore from, in case an individual user "destroys" their copy.

2. Have a place to put additional utility JCL jobs that are created by Admins in response to questions asked in the (Slack, etc.) forums, such as DEFVSAM, as discussed here: https://openmainframeproject.slack.com/archives/C011NE32Z1T/p1587999987108000?thread_ts=1587936917.072900&cid=C011NE32Z1T

3. Have access to a set of R/O PDS, SEQ and DATA files for the purpose of practicing copying them, using standard IBM utilities, like IEBGENER, SORTGENR, IEBCOPY, etc.

FYI, if granted sufficient RACF authority, I would be glad to take on this task.

Thank you,
Scott

What are the dataset characteristics for the DATA file?

Is there any kind of recipe for setting up a hercules360 emulator on Linux to run z/OS in amnner that students can use to complete this course?

If not, any takers on helping set one up?

or is there a chain of tools (or notes on same) that allow us to use GnuCOBOL to complete the course (or will that be a different fork of this project?)

cheers-

Cross-references in https://github.com/openmainframeproject/cobol-programming-course/blob/master/COBOL%20Programming%20with%20VSCode.md are broken.

For example, clicking on "Chapter 1. Why COBOL?" in the document does nothing.

"LOGON PROCEEDING"
FYI, either we have too many users trying to use the system at the same time, or someone or some job is using up all available resources.

I’m interested in starting a list somewhere, which would allow community members to request topics of interest to be the subject of future COBOL Friday Webinars. And, through the use of some kind of polling mechanism, allow the entire community to vote for the topics (ranking them in order of preference or just allow one vote per week, etc.) that they are most interested in. Where would be the best place to do this? Looking for feedback from others regarding the interest in this subject. Please leave comments below.

Suggested as possible future topics:

1. Real world situations - Loading a spreadsheet full of input data into a mainframe, COBOL readable input file, i.e. properly converting raw input, which would include numbers, negative numbers and text, even introducing literals into the converted file. Note: I could present this session.

2. Practical uses of DFSORT and/or ICETOOL.

These steps, may need to be aware of:

1. update the data set if you reopen the VS code, need to set new filter to download your own
2. follow the instructions to idetify the lines which show the wrong clause used for Numeric figure
3. back to CBL, amend gross pay variable clause x(5) to $$$$$.99 and save, resubmit job.

I'm getting the following error on this step of Lab1:

20. Expand Z99998.CBL to view COBOL source members, then select member HELLO to see a simple COBOL ‘Hello World!’ program as shown in Figure 21.
Retrieving response from zowe.List Error: z/OSMF REST API Error: Rest API failure with HTTP(S) status 500 category: 4 rc: 8 reason: 0 message: LMOPEN error details: - ISRZ002 Authorization failed - You may not use this protected data set. Open 913 abend.

Until there everything works. I'm using this address https://192.86.32.250:10443 with my user id and password received on e-mail.

Someone else is getting the same error?

Catch 22. From the registration email message:

We are using Slack for system access questions and password issues:
Click this link to add yourself to the Open Mainframe Project Slack workspace. Within this workspace, add the cobol-programming-course channel.

But that link takes you here. What do you do if you don't have an email address at any of the four domains named in the "If you have ... you can create an account" instructions?

I installed Visual Studio code on a new Windows 10 machine, for use with the Cobol course. Opening COBOL0001.cobol from the causes a `Starting client failed. Launching server using command /bin/java failed.` I them installed it in a Linux system, where it works.

Environment:

Windows 10 Home
Visual Studio version 1.44.2
IBM Z Open Editor version 0.4.9
Zowe Explorer version 1.4.1
Java: 
java version "1.8.0_251"
Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.8.0_251-b08)
Java HotSpot(TM) Client VM (build 25.251-b08, mixed mode, sharing)
    I've also tried a number of Java SDKs  including the IBM Java 8 from Eclipse and the AdoptOpen SDKs.

The log files contain the following entries, in order.

1 Git Authentication Log - empty
3 - Accounting Log - Empty

2-Git Log
Looking for git in: C:\Program Files\Git\cmd\git.exe
Using git 2.25.1.windows.1 from C:\Program Files\Git\cmd\git.exe
> git rev-parse --show-toplevel
> git rev-parse --git-dir
Open repository: c:\Users\edrub\Cobal\IBM\cobol-training-2
> git status -z -u
> git symbolic-ref --short HEAD
> git rev-parse master
> git rev-parse --symbolic-full-name master@{u}
> git rev-list --left-right master...refs/remotes/origin/master
> git for-each-ref --format %(refname) %(objectname) --sort -committerdate
> git remote --verbose
> git check-ignore -v -z --stdin
Failed to watch ref 'c:\Users\edrub\Cobal\IBM\cobol-training-2\.git\refs\remotes\origin\master', is most likely packed.
Error: ENOENT: no such file or directory, watch 'c:\Users\edrub\Cobal\IBM\cobol-training-2\.git\refs\remotes\origin\master'
	at FSWatcher.start (internal/fs/watchers.js:165:26)
	at Object.watch (fs.js:1270:11)
	at Object.t.watch (c:\Users\edrub\AppData\Local\Programs\Microsoft VS Code\resources\app\extensions\git\dist\main.js:1:598268)
	at T.updateTransientWatchers (c:\Users\edrub\AppData\Local\Programs\Microsoft VS Code\resources\app\extensions\git\dist\main.js:1:83870)
	at e.fire (c:\Users\edrub\AppData\Local\Programs\Microsoft VS Code\resources\app\out\vs\workbench\services\extensions\node\extensionHostProcess.js:48:517)
	at e.updateModelState (c:\Users\edrub\AppData\Local\Programs\Microsoft VS Code\resources\app\extensions\git\dist\main.js:1:102740)
> git config --get commit.template
> git show :Labs/cbl/CBL0002.cobol
> git ls-files --stage -- C:\Users\edrub\Cobal\IBM\cobol-training-2\Labs\cbl\CBL0002.cobol
> git cat-file -s cd90e16e6fe04ff4a9573f8a666fe395c324ef6c

4 Cobal Language Server Log
[Error - 8:27:42 PM] Starting client failed
Launching server using command /bin/java failed.

Any help appreciated. The linux install has it's own problem..

where is the ACCTREC file in the distribution? is it either of the ./Labs/data files? are they compressed or something?

I've just started to work with the "COBOL Programming with VSCode" course and am stuck at section 4.6 Lab 1, step 4 "Creating a new profile". When I click the plus sign next to "Create a New Connection to z/OS" I do not get the dialog box prompting me for the Profile Name, instead an error pop-up appears with the message "Profile Name was not supplied. Operation Cancelled". I am stumped.

My setup:
Linux Mint 19.3 Tricia (Ubuntu 18.04 Bionic)
jdk -version: openjdk version "11.0.7" 2020-04-14
node --version: v14.0.0
VS Code: 1.44.2
Zowe Explorer: 1.4.1
IBM Z Open Editor: 0.4.7

Help please! And I am new to the VS Code environment, so am fully prepared to give myself a dope slap if required.

Hi all,

I'm probably missing something simple, but I can't access the slack channel for the cobol course that's listed in the email sent to people looking for a COBOL environment to run code in. I'm talking about this link:

That leads to:

https://openmainframeproject.slack.com/

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

I would like to say thanks to you! It were so nice to touch mainframes and history of programming languages.

But, should I wait for appearance of more complex tasks, that make me closer to mainframes & COBOL reality?

Labs/$README.docx 👎

File is labeled as CBL001.cobol its actually CBL0001 in the repo

5.2.3
PICTURE clause character-string representation
Some PIC clause symbols can appear only once in a PIC clause character-string,
while other can appear more than once. For example:
➢ PIC clause to hold value 1123.45 is coded as follows, where the V represents
the decimal position.
PIC 9(4)V99
➢ PIC clause for a value such as $1,123.45 is coded as follows:
PIC $9,999V99

When this is applied to the PAYROL00.CBL (Lab 2) the following is observed.
e.g.
...
77 GROSS-PAY PIC $9(4)V99.
....
Expected : Gross Pay: $0437.00
Actual : Gross Pay: $043700

Is the documentation wrong? or am I missing something obvious.

This link is 404

Hello, I am reading the guide and got to Lab 1. I registered for and received my mainframe ID and password (yay). I followed the steps up through the "accept" selection... at that point I get the following error:

"Expect Error: Could not locate the profile type configuration for "rse" within the input configuration list passed..."

It did create the "Favorites" folders and I was able to get through to the filter step but then get this error: "Invalid Credentials. Please ensure the username and password for LearnCOBOL are valid or this may lead to a lock-out."

Could you please help me?

I like IBMs work in bringing COBOL to other developers

But I want to discuss about some issues

** issues**

1. Work directly on Mission Critical COBOL code without getting prior experience. That is , When a person starts as a fresher , he will get experience by working in small software companies who develop smaller apps.Then ,he will migrate to big companies who handles large project.But In COBOL , there is no chance for that .none of the small and medium level companies don't develop any COBOL based systems .Only Big companies running COBOL , and all of them are mission critical code that should be handled by experienced people .So how a developer able to get real world experience in COBOL before going to big companies ?

2. COBOL's community support is very low. It's difficult to get a immediate help from a friend in COBOL issue by calling him by phone , since there is low possibility of having experienced COBOL developer as a friend because experienced COBOL developers are 2 generations above from modern "born in 90s" generation .

3. Non Openness . The IBM Enterprise COBOL is locked inside mainframes and there is no way to run the code in home system Even though IBM mainframe access is free and also good , it's not that much practical to learn without having access to the whole system . He must have internet connection etc . And running a high quality code by a developer in this free main frame access in not possible .For example , I ran 14 GB ram consuming python ML code that ran for 2 hours in my Home PC without any problem . How can a developer explore the same scenario in this mainframe access ?

4. Practically useless gnuCOBOL . One can use gnuCOBOL to avoid above 2nd point issue . But gnuCOBOL is having many differences when compared to IBM COBOL and no companies using gnuCOBOL in any real world mission critical code .

5. One need to learn JCL and mainframe ecosystem to learn COBOL , None the language I know such as Java,Kotlin, Javascript , Dart don't have this type of issue.

6. Jobs . COBOL having very less job listing when searching in job sites like Naukri , Indeed etc

Please tell you views

Hello everyone!
I'm currently experiencing some issues installing and running IBM Developer on my Mac Book running Catalina. Anyone have similar issues? It appears that my machine meets all of the HW/SW pre-reqs. I've tried both various install methods: IBM IM, eclipse p2, and installing directly from Eclipse software.
Whenever I download and unzip the IM file, I see a folder entitled "aqua-3.1-im-1.9.1-macosx-x86_64" with various folders. If I try to open any of the application files in this folder, I either receive a message indicating the file is damaged or one saying that "developer can't be verified."
If downloaded using the Eclipse p2 method, it will unzip showing the IBM Developer application, but upon opening, it gave me a message saying "unable to locate companion shared library."
Lastly, I tried installing via Eclipse software and was again unsuccessful.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

Is provided pdf final course or I need to wait a bit for videos? I managed VSCode to work with provided files, and to highlight code correctly. Now I started to read and follow provided pdf, and I am stuck at chapter 4.6.

I made new connection to z/OS with username Z99998 and provided URL in figure 8. For the password I used "1234". And now I get error "Invalid Credentials. Please ensure the username and password for LearnCOBOL are valid or this may lead to a lock-out."

I find this guide very confusing, because I do not have very much of experience with VSCode, and this is my first glance at COBOL and z/OS.

So, is this pdf final guide, or I need to wait a bit for a videos, so I can get into learning?

Section 15.3.6 in COBOL Programming with VSCode.pdf states:

➢ Typing =X on the command line exits ISPF edit back to the Primary Option Menu.
o Note that you will be prompted to save or cancel changes to the file.

That is incorrect. Typing =X on the command line terminates ISPF, returning you to the TSO READY prompt. Changes are automatically saved.

Thanks for the cobol course. I cant help but notice that this course is not being presented for new people trying to learn to program in cobol. But for people with a wide range of programming knowledge albiet not cobol.

So I've got a few questions I hope you can help with.

• How do I link the actual files (which don't have an extension) on my laptop with the JCL and via that to the file referenced in the select statement.
• Although I have a zowe profile setup and Java correctly designated I still do not have the functionality of the zowe extension for the cobol programs (floating information block when hovering over code).
• Breadcrumb function does not work
  -when trying to run a program I get this message back. "cannot find a class with the main method in the folder 'cobol resources'"

which leads me to figuring out what this is--- "Check at least one main class exists in your workspace." -when referencing the help content

Thanks so much for your help on this.

please respond here or email me at [email protected] if you can help out!

After someone requests their credentials: here

The return email should direct them: here

and instruct them to (or suggest they) download the PDF Version of the class instruction manual (materials), COBOL Programming with VSCode. The free Acrobat Reader can be downloaded if needed to view the .pdf file. Note: The .md version is the official, up-to-the-minute updated version of the class materials. The .pdf version is generated from the .md version on a regular basis, so it may not reflect the most up-to-date changes. A version number/date to be published within the .pdf document has been proposed by project participants, so currently, it is not easily determinable if the .pdf version includes the absolute most recent updates and corrections made to the .md version.

Also a reminder to please follow the instructions, STEP by STEP and to always substitute their Z8xxxx id, issued above, in place of the example id, Z99998, wherever it is mentioned in the class instruction manual.

Also, the return email should include the following IP addresses needed for the course, and explain that the class instruction manual will explain when they will be needed:
IP address for VSCode extension: https://192.86.32.250:10443 <== This link is not meant to be clicked!
IP address for TN3270: 192.86.32.250 Port 623
IP address for IDz: 192.86.32.250 Port 4035

Additionally, the slack channel should be mentioned, for questions and discussion: here

FAQ:

1. "I'm having a very hard time connecting with the mainframe. What should I do?"

Post your .yaml file in the Slack Channel Forum, but don't post any passwords. .yaml location: C:\Users<your Win Id>.zowe\profiles\zosmf\LearnCOBOL.yaml Hopefully, someone can help you spot the problem.

Try shutting down VSCode and relaunch.

If that doesn't work, shut down VSCode, try deleting the .yaml file, relauch and create a New Connection again. Eventually, it will work. Very buggy.

Also, you could have timed out, if you've connected before. Need to re-Authenticate. Shut down VSCode and relaunch.

If clicking on the "Refresh All" icon to the right of "DATA SETS" or the "Search Data Sets..." icon to the right of "LearnCOBOL" (also in the "DATA SETS" area) and nothing happens, try clicking on "LearnCOBOL" itself in the "JOBS" area. This version (v0.4.9) of Z Open Editor is buggy. If you receive, "Check Credentials" (Blue pop-up box appears), click it, re-authenticate at top. Ignore any "rse" error messages. Continue anyway.

Other things to try, watch this video. The presenter actually walks through the process, although I think it was with an older, more stable version of IBM Z Open Editor. Get hands on! Run a COBOL program - Webinar - Originally broadcast: 2020-04-24 - 40 minutes

2. "How do I make numbers print properly?"

• Explanation of Cobol Display Variables.

3. "I've completed the course, now what?"

• Self-Study
• COBOL Challenge: Covid-19 Reports - Real World Challenge #1 by Jessielaine Punongbayan
• Zowe-COBOL Challenge: The Unemployment Claims - Real World Challenge #2 by Jessielaine Punongbayan
• COBOL Programming Course #2 - Advanced Topics - COBOL Challenges

IBM Resources:

COBOL Fridays:

1. A Beginner's Practical Approach to COBOL - Webinar presented by Prof. Tak Auyeung of American River College - Originally broadcast: 2020-04-17 - 1 hour (or on YouTube)
2. Get hands on! Run a COBOL program - Webinar presented by Makenzie Manna - Originally broadcast: 2020-04-24 - 40 minutes (or on YouTube)
3. Let's Talk Syntax - Cobol Syntax, Structure and File Handling Unique to Cobol - Webinar presented by Tom Ross, Captain COBOL - Originally broadcast: 2020-05-01 - 1 hour (or on YouTube)
4. Let's Talk Syntax - Data Types and Handling Variables - Webinar presented by Dr. David Woolbright of Columbus State University - Originally broadcast: 2020-05-08 - 1 hour (or on YouTube)
5. Let's Talk Syntax - Branching Logic - Webinar presented by Will Yates - Originally broadcast: 2020-05-15 - 1 hour (or on YouTube)
6. Let's Talk Syntax - Intrinsic Functions - Webinar presented by Dr. David Woolbright of Columbus State University - Originally broadcast: 2020-05-22 - 1 hour (or on YouTube)
7. Ready, Set, Code - Write your first COBOL Program (hands on)! - Webinar presented by Jeff Bisti - Originally broadcast: 2020-05-29 - 1 hour (or on YouTube)
8. What’s next? Solve the COBOL puzzle - Webinar presented by Scott Cosel from UC Irvine - Originally broadcast: 2020-06-05 - 1 hour (or on YouTube)
9. COBOL Treasures - What's new in COBOL for z/OS since V4.2 - Webinar presented by Tom Ross, Captain COBOL, promoted to Colonel COBOL - Originally broadcast: 2020-06-19 - 54 minutes (or on YouTube)

• Links to the entire series of recorded sessions (above) will also be posted on these sites, when available: IBM Developer - COBOL Videos -OR- COBOL Fridays webcast series -OR- EventBrite - All Past Events - Past Events Tab -OR- YouTube - COBOL Fridays

Next Cobol webinar: Friday, July 3, 2020, 12:00-1:00 p.m. Eastern Time:

• COBOL Fridays: TBA - Registration: TBA - Recorded session: TBA after event has concluded - Link to recorded session will be posted on this site, when available: IBM Developer - COBOL Videos -OR- COBOL Fridays webcast series -OR- EventBrite - All Past Events - Past Events Tab -OR- YouTube - COBOL Fridays

Other Resources:

• Want to become a Tech Entrepreneur? Here’s how I did it & you can too - Webinar - Originally broadcast: 2020-04-23 - 1 hour

• IBM Developer - COBOL

• IBM Z and LinuxONE Community

• Master the Mainframe - Get hands-on Experience Across a Variety of Technologies

• Open Mainframe Project Website - The Linux Foundation Projects

• IBM and Open Mainframe Project Mobilize to Connect States with COBOL Skills

Additional Course Resources:

• YouTube Video: So you want to learn COBOL?

• An Introduction to the Zowe Virtual Desktop

• IBM Enterprise COBOL for z/OS Documentation Library - Full Reference Library of COBOL Manuals

• IBM Enterprise COBOL for z/OS, Language Reference v6.3

• IBM Language Environment Programming Reference v2r4 - Common subroutines callable from all IBM supported programming languages.

• IBM Enterprise COBOL for z/OS, Messages and Codes v6.3

• IBM Setting property groups | IBM Z® Open Editor

• Installing Zowe CLI from an online registry

• Installing Zowe CLI from source

• IBM z/OS MVS JCL Reference v2r4

• IBM z/OS Communications Server: IP User's Guide and Commands v2r4 - FTP Reference Manual

• IBM z/OS TSO/E REXX Reference v2r4

• IBM DFSORT: ICETOOL Mini-User Guide - October, 2010 by Frank L. Yaeger

• DFSORT′s Year 2000 Features (The New Generation) - October, 1998 by Frank L. Yaeger

• IBM DFSORT Application Programming Guide v2r4 - Full Manual
  Note: IBM DFSORT's ICETOOL can often replace the need to write COBOL program(s), when needing to (optionally) sort and tranform data contained in one or more input files to produce an output file. All user guides written by Frank L. Yaeger on this subject are excellent. Access the entire collection, here.

Restoring a Fresh Copy of Lab Data (or Cobol) Files:

• Download data file from Labs folder from: here then go to the command line and execute zowe zos-files upload file-to-data-set "data" "Z8XXXX.DATA" -b

More education from IBM:

• z/OS Introduction and Workshop for IT Professionals

History:

• Timeline and brief description of IBM Operating Systems. By Dave Morton, marspyrs. Dated: February, 2018

Internet resources:

• Beginner’s Guide: COBOL Made Easy by Jessielaine Punongbayan
• Awesome Mainframes - Useful Links for z/OS and the Hercules Emulator
• Dr. David Woolbright's (COBOL Fridays: Presenter) Website
• DB2 SQL Cookbook based upon the original work of Graeme Birchall:
• DB2 SQL Cookbook - Original Archived PDF
• Fake Your Way Through Minis and Mainframes - Including MVS (predecessor to z/OS)

Employment Opportunity - Cobol Programmers Needed Now!

• State of New Jersey

I think what is happening, is people have found out about this course via all sorts of different methods, and there is no one place that has all of the above needed information. The return email would be a good place (although not the only place) where such information should/could be found.

Really enjoying the course and the Cobol Community that you have formed!
Keep up the good work!

Thank you,
ScottC

There's no error in Lab 2's PAYROLL0X source. I did a diff on the two source files looking to see what changed, nothing in reference to GROSS-PAY was changed in the source file that was supposed to produce compile error.

The list in section 10.1 (What is an arithmetic expression?) in COBOL Programming with VSCode.pdf should be numbered rather than bulleted, since items 4 – 6 refer to earlier items by number.

Now that there is a PDF file generated from Markdown, perhaps remove the PDF from Git and use CI (e.g. Travis CI) to automatically keep the PDF file up to date and upload it somewhere, e.g. using GitHub Pages for the repo?

Thank you for OpenMainframeProject!
Nowadays software engineering is driven by openness, not elitism.

I have some background in Java, C#, PHP and JS. After reading the COBOL-calling posts last Friday, I decided to explore the new old-school tech-stack. Read Programmer's guide, Language reference, installed software and completed online training (actually 1.5 courses, to obtain IBM ID and Z/OS machine with ISPF and JCL on top). In addition to decimal math, I found the declarative validation and the representation of data in COBOL absolutely impressive.

The bad news is the enthusiasts are unable to design their flows of software delivery (CI/CD) unhindered. Please correct my findings below.

Training courses

• None by IBM.
• COBOL Programming in Easy and Practical Methods. Online, 7 hours long.
• Mainframe: The Complete COBOL Course From Beginner To Expert. Online, 9.5 hours long.

Certification

• None by IBM.
• Online by Udemy.

Editor

• IBM Z Open Development IDE. Not really useful without own Mainframe, "The IBM license key cannot be found."
• IBM Z Open Editor Plugin for VS Code.

Compiler

• IBM Enterprise COBOL. Available only to members of IBM PartnerWorld.
• GnuCobol. Good, but partially incompatible with IBM Enterprise COBOL.

Debugger

• Debugger for Mainframe by Broadcom. Not really useful without own Mainframe.

Profiler

• ?

Static analysis

• ?

Unit testing

• cobol-unit-test by Neopragma.

Code coverage

• ?

Presentation environment

• IBM Z/OS on own Mainframe.
• Hercules emulator. Not really useful without IBM DASD image which is available only to members of IBM PartnerWorld.

Modern engineering expects that the first 3 milestones of "learn->try->present->sell->maintain" are easily and quickly achievable. IBM need to invest into the community and "open the doors" first. Only people keep the technology alive.

Syntax highlighting don't work on my PC....it seems because something (....maybe OpenJDK?) is not set correctly.

VSCode says:"The Java Runtime path is not correctly configured for the IBM"

Environment variable JAVA_HOME=/usr/lib/jvm/java-11-openjdk-amd64/bin/java

What can I do?

Well this is not an issue, but showing off a bit :D I just ran first COBOL program in my life and I am very excited! 🔢 👯 👯 🔢

The data center used for the labs is a development data center where hardware and software is continuously advanced. Data Center upgrades occur approximately every other Sunday