Course Title : Career Entry Course for Software Developers - Legacy System/Cobol

COURSE TITLE : CAREER ENTRY COURSE FOR SOFTWARE DEVELOPERS - LEGACY SYSTEM/COBOL

QUALIFICATION LEVEL : NC IV

NOMINAL DURATION : 280 Hours

COURSE DESCRIPTION :

This course covers the knowledge, skills and attitude required in designing a program logic, applying program development approach, applying mainframe online systems programming language skills and applying database2 (db2) application programming.

COURSE OUTCOMES:

Upon completion of this module the students/ trainees will be able to:

1. Explain the systems development process and basics of logic formulation.

2. Apply the concepts of COBOL programming in a batch environment and be able to test the code

3. Apply the concepts of Mainframe Online Systems and be able to code and test programs using command level CICS/COBOL2

4. Apply DB2 Application Programming

ENTRY REQUIREMENT:

· Must be a college graduate

· Must pass IQ test and Programmers aptitude test, or

· Must pass the hiring company’s panel interview

COURSE STRUCTURE:

Module 1 - Developing and Maintaining Program Applications in Mainframe

System and Database Management System

L.O.1. Explain the systems development process and basics of logic formulation.

L.O.2. Apply the concepts of COBOL programming in a batch environment and be able to test the code

L.O.3. Apply the concepts of Mainframe Online Systems and be able to code and test programs using command level CICS/COBOL2

L.O.4. Apply DB2 Application Programming

COURSE DELIVERY:

1. Methodology:

· Lecture and discussion

· Guided Lab exercises

· Machine problems

2. Resources:

The trainees must be provided with the following:

EQUIPMENT & NETWORK

· 1 computer per student

· 1 computer for the instructor

· computers networked and connected to a server

· Internet access for each student

SOFTWARE

· Version control software on the server

· In each student’s computer: COBOL, DB2 (or SQL) software / compilers and linkers

MATERIALS AND TOOLS

· Student Manual

· Command References

· LCD projector in the classroom

· Whiteboard

3. Qualification of Instructor:

· College graduate

· At least 1 year working or teaching experience in Legacy Mainframe application development using COBOL

· Should pass PSIA teacher evaluation

MODULE OF INSTRUCTION

LO1 - Explain the systems development process and basics of logic formulation

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

1. Different SDLCs with the steps within each identified correctly

CONTENT

Foundational Topics

· Systems Development Life Cycle

· Logic Formulation

CONDITIONS:

The trainees must be provided with the following:

EQUIPMENT & NETWORK

· 1 computer per student

· 1 computer for the instructor

· computers networked and connected to a server

· Internet access for each student

SOFTWARE

· Version control software on the server

· In each student’s computer: COBOL, DB2 (or SQL) software / compilers and linkers

MATERIALS AND TOOLS

· Student Manual

· Command References

· LCD projector in the classroom

· Whiteboard

METHODOLOGY:

· Lecture and discussion

· Guided Lab exercises

· Machine problems

ASSESSMENT METHOD:

· Graded Recitation

· Quizzes

· Theoretical exams

· Graded lab exercises

LO2 – Apply the concepts of COBOL programming in a batch environment and be able to test the code

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

1. A running stand-alone COBOL application written for a batch environment that conforms to proper design and best practices, supported by automated unit tests

CONTENT

Mainframe Batch Systems

Part 1

o Introduction to COBOL

Program Structure - Definition of Divisions

Character Strings - Characters and Words (Reserved and User-defined)

Columnar/Areas and Data Reference

o Statement Categories

o Basic COBOL Syntax

Reading the Syntax Diagrams

OPEN Statement

MOVE

INITIALIZE

READ

DISPLAY

PERFORM

GO TO

EXIT and STOP RUN

o ARITHMETIC Statements

o Conditions in COBOL

Simple Conditions - Class, Condition-Name, Relation, etc.

Complex Conditions

Evaluation Rules

o IF Statement

o EVALUATE Statement

o Scope Terminators

Part 2

o Introduction to IBM MVS.

o Basic JCL statements

o Basic Testing techniques

Part 3

o Source Program Formats

Identification Division

Environment Division

Data Division

FD Clauses

Data Description Entry

Item Clauses - BLANK WHEN 0, REDEFINES, PICTURE, VALUE, etc.

Condition Names

Editing using the Picture Clause

INITIALIZE Statement

ACCEPT Statement

WRITE Statement

Part 4

o Transaction Validation Processing

o Sequential Master File Maintenance

Part 5

o Table Handling

Defining Tables and OCCURS Clause

Perform Varying

o Transferring Control to a Subprogram

CALL Statement and CALL Options

Entry Statement

Exit Program and GOBACK Statements

o Linkage Section

o String and Unstring Statements

o INSPECT

o COPY Statement

Part 6 - VSAM

o Accessing VSAM Indexed Files in Cobol

Organization and Access Modes

Reading, Creating, Updating, Deleting

CONDITIONS:

The trainees must be provided with the following:

EQUIPMENT & NETWORK

· 1 computer per student

· 1 computer for the instructor

· computers networked and connected to a server

· Internet access for each student

SOFTWARE

· Version control software on the server

· In each student’s computer: COBOL, DB2 (or SQL) software / compilers and linkers

MATERIALS AND TOOLS

· Student Manual

· Command References

· LCD projector in the classroom

· Whiteboard

METHODOLOGY:

· Lecture and discussion

· Guided Lab exercises

· Machine problems

ASSESSMENT METHOD:

· Graded Recitation

· Quizzes

· Theoretical exams

· Graded lab exercises

LO3 – Apply the concepts of mainframe online systems and be able to code and test programs using command level CICS/COBOL2

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

1. Command language interface rules and best practices are observed

2. Command formats and argument conventions are used

3. The appropriate language, translator are used

4. Basic programming constructs are used

5. Modular programming approach is used

6. Ability to create program routines using command level CICS/COBOL2 is demonstrated.

7. Program routines are reviewed and corrected using debugging tools provided by the system or the organization

8. A debugger to trace code execution and examine variable contents to detect and correct errors is used

9. Guidelines for developing maintainable code and program routines adhering to a set standard is followed

10. Internal documentation standards and tools are followed and used

11. Simple tests are developed and conducted to confirm the coding process meets design specification

12. The tests performed are documented

13. Corrections are made to the code and the documentation as needed

CONTENT

CICS Overview

· Batch vs. on-line

· Real-time, think-time, transactions

· Pseudo-conversational

· CICS components, functions and features, definitions, tables

Command Language Interface

· Program characteristics

· Interface with CICS, EXEC CICS command format and argument conventions

· Translator

· Execute interface block

Program Structure

· Language considerations and restrictions

· Linkage section usage

Exception Processing

· Handle condition and Ignore condition

· Resp and Nohandle, EIBRESP

Program Control

· Modular structure using XCTL, LINK, CALL and RETURN

· Pseudo-conversational tasks using transid and commarea

Terminal Control

· SEND and RECEIVE

· Attention identifiers

· DFHAID and HANDLE AID

Basic Mapping

· Overview of BMS facilities

· Map creation (mapset definition macro, map definition macro, field definition macro)

· Attribute modification

· Cursor positioning

· Mapping commands (SEND, RECEIVE)

File Control

· Random processing commands (read, update, delete, add)

· Browsing commands (start browse, read next, read previous, end or reset browse)

CONDITIONS:

The trainees must be provided with the following:

EQUIPMENT & NETWORK

· 1 computer per student

· 1 computer for the instructor

· computers networked and connected to a server

· Internet access for each student

SOFTWARE

· Version control software on the server

· In each student’s computer: COBOL, DB2 (or SQL) software / compilers and linkers

MATERIALS AND TOOLS

· Student Manual

· Command References

· LCD projector in the classroom

· Whiteboard

METHODOLOGY:

· Lecture and discussion

· Guided Lab exercises

· Machine problems

ASSESSMENT METHOD:

· Graded Recitation

· Quizzes

· Theoretical exams

· Graded lab exercises

LO4 - Applying DB2 Application Programming

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

1. Command language interface rules and best practices are observed

2. Command formats and argument conventions are used

3. The appropriate language, translator are used

4. Basic programming constructs are used

5. Modular programming approach is used

6. Ability to create program routines using command level SQL is demonstrated.

7. Simple tests are developed and conducted to confirm the coding process meets design specification

8. The tests performed are documented

9. Corrections are made to the code and the documentation as needed

10. Program routines is reviewed and corrected using debugging tools provided by the system or the organization

11. A debugger to trace code execution and examine variable contents to detect and correct errors is used

CONTENT

o DB2 Concepts and Facilities

DB2 Terms and Concepts

RDBMS Fundamentals

Data Types

Indexes

Keys

Constraints - referential and integrity

Normalization

DB2 Architecture Overview

o Mainframe Express DB2 Facilities

XDB Server

SQL Wizard

Declaration Generator (DCLGEN) in COBOL Programming

o SQL Data Definition Language (DDL)

o SQL Data Manipulation Language (DML)

o SQL Statements Embedded in COBOL (Including performance considerations)

o Preparing Programs for Execution

o DYNAMIC SQL IN COBOL

o Using EXPLAIN to Improve SQL Performance

CONDITIONS:

The trainees must be provided with the following:

EQUIPMENT & NETWORK

· 1 computer per student

· 1 computer for the instructor

· computers networked and connected to a server

· Internet access for each student

SOFTWARE

· Version control software on the server

· In each student’s computer: COBOL, DB2 (or SQL) software / compilers and linkers

MATERIALS AND TOOLS

· Student Manual

· Command References

· LCD projector in the classroom

· Whiteboard

METHODOLOGY:

· Lecture and discussion

· Guided Lab exercises

· Machine problems

ASSESSMENT METHOD:

· Graded Recitation

· Quizzes

· Theoretical exams

· Graded lab exercises

· Graded machine problem

CAREER ENTRY COURSE FOR SOFTWARE DEVELOPER - LEGACY SYSTEM/COBOL