What is Mainframes?
Mainframes are powerful, high-performance computing systems designed to handle large-scale and mission-critical tasks in enterprise environments. They have been a cornerstone of IT infrastructure for decades, providing reliability, security, and scalability for organizations across various industries.
Why do we use Main Frame Technology?
Mainframe technology continues to be used in modern enterprise environments for several compelling reasons. Quick processing of requests and their distribution to the proper processor cards characterize the mainframe system. Wal-Mart, NASA, and other organizations are among the companies that use these technologies. There is little doubt that mainframes will continue to be utilized in the near future. Computers are a dependable source of systems for many firms.
What Mainframe can Do?
- Transaction Processing.
- Batch Processing.
- Database Management.
- Legacy Application Hosting.
- Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP).
- Software Application Development.
- E-Business and E-commerce.
- Healthcare application development.
- Analystics using Mainframe SAS.
Advantages of Main Frames :
Below are some advantages:
- High availability of the systems
- Extreme reliability of the systems
- Systems of extreme high availability to handle large volumes of data
- English-like constructs.
- Self-documenting systems.
- Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)
- Centralized Management and Control.
- Legacy System Support.
- Security.
Required Skills to learn :
To effectively work with mainframe technology and excel in mainframe-related roles, you’ll need a combination of technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and soft skills. Here are some essential skills to learn:
1. Mainframe Programming Languages: Familiarize yourself with mainframe programming languages such as COBOL (Common Business Oriented Language), PL/I (Programming Language One), Assembler, and JCL (Job Control Language). These languages are commonly used for developing applications and system software on mainframe platforms.
2. Mainframe Operating Systems: Gain proficiency in mainframe operating systems like z/OS, z/VSE, and z/VM. Understand their features, architecture, commands, utilities, and subsystems. Learn how to navigate the operating system environment, manage files, and perform system administration tasks.
3. Database Management Systems: Learn about mainframe database management systems (DBMS) such as DB2, IMS (Information Management System), and Adabas. Understand database concepts, data modeling, SQL (Structured Query Language), data manipulation, and database administration tasks.
4. Mainframe Development Tools: Familiarize yourself with mainframe development tools and utilities used for software development, debugging, testing, and performance tuning. Examples include IBM Developer for z/OS, IBM Debug Tool, IBM File Manager, and IBM Fault Analyzer.
5. Version Control Systems: Learn how to use version control systems such as Git, SVN (Subversion), or IBM Configuration Management Version Control (CMVC) for managing source code, tracking changes, and collaborating with other developers.
6. Problem-Solving and Debugging: Develop strong problem-solving and debugging skills to troubleshoot issues, diagnose errors, and optimize performance in mainframe applications and systems. Learn techniques for analyzing dumps, logs, and traces to identify root causes of problems.
7. Scripting and Automation: Acquire scripting skills in languages like REXX (Restructured Extended Executor) or CLIST (Command List) for automating repetitive tasks, batch processing, and system administration on mainframes.
8. Mainframe Networking and Communications: Understand mainframe networking concepts, protocols, and technologies such as TCP/IP, SNA (Systems Network Architecture), FTP (File Transfer Protocol), and VTAM (Virtual Telecommunications Access Method).
9. Soft Skills: Develop strong communication, collaboration, and teamwork skills to work effectively with colleagues, stakeholders, and customers. Be able to articulate technical concepts clearly, document your work thoroughly, and provide support and assistance to others as needed.
10. Continuous Learning: Keep abreast of new developments, trends, and best practices in mainframe technology through continuous learning and professional development. Attend training programs, workshops, conferences, and online courses to expand your knowledge and skills.
Main Frame Concepts
Course concepts
- Introduction to IBM Mainframe Systems
- IBM Mainframe Architecture
- Data and Job Management
- Operating Systems
- TSO, ISPF
COBOL
- Introduction to COBOL and its versions
- COBOL Program structure
- Field Declaration – Data Types
COBOL Statements
- ACCEPT
- DISPLAY
- MOVE
- INITIALIZE
- IF Statement
- EVALUATE
- STRING and UNSTRING
- COPY
- COMPUTE
- PERFORM
- REDEFINES
- RENAMES
- Computational Usages
- STOP RUN, GO BACK, EXIT PROGRAM
File Handling
- How to use files in the COBOL Program?
- File Programming using Sequential, Indexed, and Relative files
- Realtime programs using files
Table Handling
- Array Declaration
- Using arrays in programs with
- SEARCH & SEARCH ALL
- Subscribing & Indexing
- Sorting & Merging
- Resolving File Status codes and abends
- Coding Realtime Programs
DB2(RDBMS)
- DB2 – Database concepts
- DB2 Organization
- Tablespaces, Tables, Views, Indexes, Synonyms, Aliases
- Using SQL Queries
- DDL(CREATE, ALTER and DROP COMMANDS)
- DML(SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE and DELETE)
- DCL(GRANT & REVOKE)
- Group By, Having, Order By
- Joins
- Subqueries vs Correlated subqueries
- Unions
- DCLGEN, SPUFI and QMF
- DB2 Utilities
- NULLS – Null Indicators
- Cursors and Types
- SQLCA
- DB2 Program Preparation
- Pre-compilation
- BIND – Packages & Plans
- DB2 Locking and Concurrency
- Locking Modes
- Isolation Levels
- Commit & Rollback
- Constraints
- DB2 Performance issues and tuning techniques
- SQLCODES and resolving abends
- COBOL-DB2 Realtime Programming
VSAM (File concept)
- Introduction to VSAM
- VSAM Datasets – ESDS, KSDS, RRDS
- Space management
- Alternate Indexes
- Dataset structures
- Defining Clusters
- IDCAMS – Repro, Print, Alter, Delete
- START, INVALID KEY
- Accessing VSAM files from COBOL
- File status codes and abend codes
- Coding programs using VSAM files
Tools
- File-Aid for files & DB2
- Changeman
- Xpeditor
Software Engineering
- Application development covering all phases of SDLC
- Quality Management
- Documentation