This course provides instruction and practice in the use of the more complex S/390 Assembler Language facilities for the experienced assembler language programmer. The course includes a discussion of standard linkage conventions, use of BSAM/QSAM and selected system macros, the macro definition language, and reentrant coding considerations.

Emphasis is placed on enhancing skills in problem resolution through analysis of more complex system-provided dumps.

• Identify data management considerations and access methods
• Code assembler language programs which:
  • Conform to standard linkage conventions using save area chaining
  • Define and use BSAM/QSAM datasets through standard I/O macros
• Define and execute user macros which contain:
  • Positional and/or keyword parameters
  • Fixed or variable entry parameter lists
  • Conditional assembly logic
• Use variable length storage operations (that is, EX, MVCL, and so on)
• Employ more complex instructions (that is, TR, TRT, BXLE, and so on)
• Access JCL parameter data
• Employ LE date/time handling services
• Identify reentrant coding considerations and dynamic storage acquisition

This course is designed for application programmers and beginning system programmers who code, maintain, and debug application support programs or subroutines written in S/390 assembler language.

You should be able to:

• Code and debug simple S/390 assembler language programs

Day 1

• (00:15) Welcome
• (01:00) Unit 1: Review
• (00:15) Unit 2: Assembler instructions
• (01:45) Unit 3: Linkage
• (01:30) Unit 4: LE date/time handling
• (02:30) Exercise 1: PARM handling and search

Day 2

• (00:15) Lab review
• (03:00) Unit 5: Access methods: BSAM/QSAM
• (03:00) Exercise 2: File handling

Day 3

• (00:15) Lab review
• (00:30) Unit 6: Assembler compile-time options
• (00:30) Unit 7: SNAP dumps
• (03:30) Unit 8: Macros and the Conditional Assembly Language
• (02:30) Exercise 3: Macro modification

Day 4

• (00:25) Lab review
• (01:15) Unit 9: Miscellaneous instructions
• (00:25) Unit 10: Floating point data
• (00:25) Unit 11: Reentrant coding
• (00:15) Class wrap-up

Prior to enrolling, IBM Employees must follow their Division/Department processes to obtain approval to attend this public training class. Failure to follow Division/Department approval processes may result in the IBM Employee being personally responsible for the class charges.  

GBS practitioners that use the EViTA system for requesting external training should use that same process for this course.  Go to the EViTA site to start this process: http://w3.ibm.com/services/gbs/evita/BCSVTEnrl.nsf

Once you enroll in a GTP class, you will receive a confirmation letter that should show:

• The current GTP list price
• The 20% discounted price available to IBMers. This is the price you will be invoiced for the class.