Target Audience

The course is aimed at developers' not familiar VSAM file access. This course covers all aspects of Programming with VSAM files. The course teaches the design, writing and testing of COBOL or PL/1 programs accessing VSAM files. Many exercises are performed by the developer to ensure that the statements taught are fully understood and practical experience is gained

Pre-requisites

Knowledge of COBOL or PL/1 is required. This can be gained by attending either course BT05 or BT06.

Course Objectives

Whilst covering the basics of VSAM programming and how it is used, this course also aims to give an insight into different types of VSAM files. On completion of this course the student will be able to:

•     Understand and define VSAM files in a program
•     Correctly code VSAM data access in a program

Course Environment

Development will be performed using:

•     IBM Mainframe

Course Details

SELECT / ASSIGN STATEMENT

VSAM Select / Assign Statement

FILE DEFINITION

VSAM File Definition

OPEN STATEMENT

Opening VSAM Files

READING AND RID FIELDS

Specifying Key Fields for a VSAM Dataset

VSAM File Direct Access

VSAM File Sequential Access

VSAM File Alternate Index Data Access

START STATEMENT

Positioning the File Pointer within a VSAM File

WRITE STATEMENT

Inserting Records into a VSAM File

Placement of Records

REWRITE STATEMENT

Updating Records on a VSAM File

Updating Restrictions

DELETE STATEMENT

Deleting Records from a VSAM File

CLOSE STATEMENT

Closing a VSAM File

FILE STATUS CHECKING

Checking the VSAM File Status

Course Format

Practical sessions make up a large part of the course, allowing delegates to demonstrate and reinforce the lectures given. During these sessions the delegate will gain experience of writing and testing different types of COBOL or PL/1 programs accessing the various VSAM datasets available. Examples are used extensively, ranging from simple code snippets to full applications with complete ‘real world’ functionality. These are supplied at the start of the course and it is encouraged that the delegates execute and ‘experiment’ with these under the instructor’s guidance as they are introduced. These examples are available to take away, along with the delegate’s own work. The comprehensive Student Guide supplied is fully indexed serving as a useful reference tool long after the course has finished. Delegates will also be able to access a free help-line with technical questions relating to topics covered on the course.