COBOL Coding Tricks

The Common and the Esoteric

Table of Contents v-16.01.01 - cbltrx01.htm

Introduction
Sample Routines
Date and Time
Case Conversion
EBCDIC and ASCII Conversion
Redefine Data Structures
Scan a Field, Reference Modification
Numeric Testing & Initialization
Right Adjust with Zero Fill
Numeric Convert, Packed to Display
Table Processing & Bubble Sort
Swap the Content of Two Fields
Field Swap, COBOL calls HLASM
Field Swap, COBOL calls COBOL
Calculate Elapsed Time
JCL Member for Mainframe System
Command File for Windows System
COBOL Demonstration Program
Summary
Software Agreement and Disclaimer
Downloads and Links
Current Server or Internet Access
Internet Access Required
Glossary of Terms
Comments or Feedback
Company Overview
The SimoTime Home Page

Introduction
This suite of programs shows various COBOL coding techniques to perform tasks or provide function that may be considered
outside the primary business processing requirements. The structuring and validation of data prior to processing by business
logic is often required. In the world of programming there is usually more than one way to solve a programming challenge.
This suite of programs presents a few tips and techniques to some of these programming challenges.
The source code for the CMD file, the JCL member and the COBOL programs is provided and may be modified to fit your
environment.

We have made a significant effort to ensure the documents and software technologies are correct and accurate. We reserve the right to make
changes without notice at any time. The function delivered in this version is based upon the enhancement requests from a specific group of users.
The intent is to provide changes as the need arises and in a timeframe that is dependent upon the availability of resources.
Copyright © 1987-2019
SimoTime Technologies and Services
All Rights Reserved

Sample Routines
The intent of this section is to provide a summary of the sub-routines by function and a quick link to the sub-routines within
the main program.

Date and Time

This process uses two subroutines. The first sub-routine will call the second sub-routine to get the data and time and then
post the information to SYSOUT. The second sub-routine will get the system data and time using the COBOL ACCEPT
statement.
The date and time will be posted to SYSOUT in a variety of formats.
Click on this link to view the sub-routine in the program that does the Get System Date and Post to SYSOUT. To return to this
point use the browser's "back" function.
Click on this link to view the sub-routine in the program that does the Get System Date and Time. To return to this point use
the browser's "back" function.

Case Conversion
This sub-routine will convert text strings of mixed case to all upper or lower case. A "before and after" snapshot of the text
strings will be posted to SYSOUT.
The following two items are created in the COBOL WORKING-STORAGE section.

01 UPPER-CASE pic X(26) value 'ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ'.

01 LOWER-CASE pic X(26) value 'abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz'.

In the PROCEDURE DIVISION the following statement will convert a text string of mixed-case content to all upper case.
inspect TEXT-STRING converting LOWER-CASE to UPPER-CASE
Click on this link to view the code in the program that does the Case Conversion. To return to this point use the browser's
"back" function.

EBCDIC and ASCII Conversion

WIP2

Redefine Data Structures

This sub-routine shows how to access a single position within a field. This approach (using REDEFINES) works well for small
fields. If larger fields are being scanned or parsed it may be a better approach to use reference modification that is described
in the next section.
Click on this link to view the code in the program that does the Cobol Redefines Example. To return to this point use the
browser's "back" function.

Scan a Field, Reference Modification

This sub-routine will show two (2) examples of accessing individual bytes with a field or text string. The first example is similar
to the preceding section that uses the REDEFINES capability of COBOL but uses explicit coding and Reference Modification.
The second example uses Reference Modification with a variable pointer to the byte to be accessed. This provides for a very
efficient text scanning or parsing capability.
Click on this link to view the code in the program that does the Cobol Reference Modification. To return to this point use the
browser's "back" function.

Numeric Testing & Initialization

This segment of code will describe and demonstrate the COBOL techniques for checking the validity of a numeric field. The
techniques for initializing both numeric and alphanumeric fields is included.
This example will use the following data structure.

01 INITIALIZE-GROUP.
05 INIT-TEXT-01 pic X(6) value 'PREFIX'.
05 INIT-ZDU1-01 pic 9(5) value 12345.
05 INIT-PDU1-01 pic 9(5) COMP-3 value 12345.
05 INIT-BNU1-01 pic 9(5) COMP value 12345.
05 INIT-TEXT-02 pic X(6) value 'SUFFIX'

The following is a sample of what is written to SYSOUT.

* CBLTRXC1 Starting NUMERIC-TESTING

* CBLTRXC1 T1, INIT-TEXT-01 is PREFIX
* CBLTRXC1 T1, INITIAL-TOTAL = 0037035
* CBLTRXC1 T1, INIT-TEXT-02 is SUFFIX
* CBLTRXC1 T2, INIT-TEXT-01 is
* CBLTRXC1 T2, INITIAL-TOTAL = 0000000
* CBLTRXC1 T2, INIT-TEXT-02 is
* CBLTRXC1 T3, INIT-TEXT-01 is XXXXXX
* CBLTRXC1 T3, INITIAL-TOTAL = 0000003
* CBLTRXC1 T3, INIT-TEXT-02 is XXXXXX
* CBLTRXC1 T4, A Numeric Field contains non-Numeric value…
* CBLTRXC1 Finished NUMERIC-TESTING

In the PROCEDURE DIVISION the following statements are used to initialize the individual fields within a group.
initialize INITIALIZE-GROUP
or

initialize INITIALIZE-GROUP replacing

NUMERIC DATA by 1
ALPHANUMERIC BY all 'X'

or
move all SPACES to INITIALIZE-GROUP
Note: The use of a "MOVE" of all SPACES at the group level is not a good practice when the group contains
fields that are defined as numeric.
Click on this link to view the code in the program that does the Numeric Testing and Field Initialization To return to this point
use the browser's "back" function.

Right Adjust with Zero Fill

WIP2
Click on this link to view the code in the program that does the Right Adjust with Zero Fill. To return to this point use the
browser's "back" function.

Numeric Convert, Packed to Display

This sub-routine will do two conversions. The first conversion will add the value of a packed-decimal field to a zoned-decimal
field with a sign-leading-separate. This will produce a new field that is a display-text field with an implied decimal point. The
second conversion will add the value of a packed-decimal field to an edited-numeric field. This will produce a new field that is
a display-text field with an explicit decimal point.
The approach of using the "add current-field to zero giving new-field" is used instead of a move. This will do proper rounding
and correct decimal alignment if the source and target fields have different decimal positions.
The content of each of the fields will be displayed in a hexadecimal format to SYSOUT and SYSLOG.
Click on this link to view the code in the program that does the Numeric Conversion, Packed to Display. To return to this point
use the browser's "back" function.

Table Processing & Bubble Sort

A separate program is called for this example.
Click on this link to view the code in the program that does the Table Processing & Bubble Sort. This will be displayed in a
separate window.

Swap the Content of Two Fields

The following two test cases will show how to swap the content of two data strings (or fields) without using a 3rd intermediary
field as a holding space.

Field Swap, COBOL calls HLASM

The following takes advantage of the results of the XC (Exclusive OR) Instruction of HLASM to swap the contents of two data
strings.
Click on this link to review the process that will use the XC Instruction of HLASM to swap the content of two data strings. This
will be displayed in a separate window.
Field Swap, COBOL calls COBOL
The following takes advantage of the results of the exclusive-OR (XOR) function to swap the contents of two data strings.
Click on this link to review the process that will use the XOR Function to swap the content of two data strings. This will be
displayed in a separate window.

Calculate Elapsed Time

WIP2
Click on this link to view the code in the program that does the Calculate Elapsed Time. To return to this point use the
browser's "back" function.

JCL Member for Mainframe System

The following (CBLTRXJ1.jcl) is a sample of the Mainframe JCL needed to run this job.
//CBLTRXJ1 JOB SIMOTIME,ACCOUNT,CLASS=1,MSGCLASS=0,NOTIFY=CSIP1
//* *******************************************************************
//* CBLTRXJ1.JCL - a JCL Member for Batch Job Processing *
//* This JCL Member is provided by SimoTime Technologies *
//* (C) Copyright 1987-2019 All Rights Reserved *
//* Web Site URL: http://www.simotime.com *
//* e-mail: helpdesk@simotime.com *
//* *******************************************************************
//*
//* Text - COBOL code for commonly used processing tasks.
//* Author - SimoTime Technologies
//* Date - January 01, 1989
//*
//* This set of programs illustrate the use of COBOL programs that
//* perform commonly used processing tasks. The tasks may be used to
//* solve a business requirement or for debugging purposes.
//*
//* This set of programs will run on a mainframe under MVS or on
//* a Personal Computer running Windows and Mainframe Express by
//* Micro Focus.
//*
//* ************ ************
//* * Entry * * Entry *
//* * MVS * * Windows *
//* ************ ************
//* * *
//* ************ ************
//* * CBLTRXJ1 * * CBLTRXE1 *
//* ********jcl* ********cmd*
//* * *
//* ************ *
//* * IEFBR14 * *
//* ********utl* *
//* * *
//* *********************************
//* *
//* *
//* ************ ************
//* * CBLTRXC1 *----* SYSOUT *
//* ********cbl* ************
//* * *
//* * *
//* * *
//* ************** *------CALL-----*
//* * * *
//* * * ************ ************
//* * * * SIMODUMP *----* SYSLOG *
//* * * ************ ************
//* * *
//* ************ *
//* * EOJ * *------CALL-----*
//* ************ *
//* *
//* *
//* *
//* ************ ************ ************
//* * CURS0080 *----* CBLTBLC1 *----* LABEL1X6 *
//* *******rseq* ********cbl* *******rseq*
//*
//* *******************************************************************
//* Step 1 of 2, This job step will delete a previously created
//* Mailing Label file.
//*
//BLOWAWAY EXEC PGM=IEFBR14
//LABEL1X6 DD DSN=SIMOTIME.DATA.LABEL1X6,DISP=(MOD,DELETE,DELETE),
// STORCLAS=MFI,
// SPACE=(TRK,5),
// DCB=(RECFM=FB,LRECL=48,BLKSIZE=480,DSORG=PS)
//* *******************************************************************
//* Step 2 of 2, Execute the Sample programs....
//*
//CBLTRXS1 EXEC PGM=CBLTRXC1
//STEPLIB DD DSN=SIMOTIME.DEMO.LOADLIB1,DISP=SHR
//CURS0080 DD DSN=SIMOTIME.DATA.CUST0080,DISP=SHR
//LABEL1X6 DD DSN=SIMOTIME.DATA.LABEL1X6,DISP=(NEW,CATLG,DELETE),
// STORCLAS=MFI,
// SPACE=(TRK,5),
// DCB=(RECFM=FB,LRECL=48,BLKSIZE=480,DSORG=PS)
//SYSOUT DD SYSOUT=*
//*

Command File for Windows System

The following (CBLTRXE1.cmd) is a sample of the Windows CMD needed to run this job.
@echo OFF
rem * *******************************************************************
rem * CBLTRXE1.cmd - a Windows Command File *
rem * This program is provided by SimoTime Technologies *
rem * (C) Copyright 1987-2019 All Rights Reserved *
rem * Web Site URL: http://www.simotime.com *
rem * e-mail: helpdesk@simotime.com *
rem * *******************************************************************
rem *
rem * Text - COBOL code for commonly used processing tasks.
rem * Author - SimoTime Technologies
rem * Date - January 01, 1989
rem *
rem * This set of programs illustrate the use of COBOL programs that
rem * perform commonly used processing tasks. The tasks may be used to
rem * solve a business requirement or for debugging purposes.
rem *
rem * This set of programs will run on a mainframe under MVS or on
rem * a Personal Computer running Windows and Mainframe Express by
rem * Micro Focus.
rem *
rem * ************ ************
rem * * Entry * * Entry *
rem * * MVS * * Windows *
rem * ************ ************
rem * * *
rem * ************ ************
rem * * CBLTRXJ1 * * CBLTRXE1 *
rem * ********jcl* ********cmd*
rem * * *
rem * ************ *
rem * * IEFBR14 * *
rem * ********utl* *
rem * * *
rem * *********************************
rem * *
rem * *
rem * ************ ************
rem * * CBLTRXC1 *----* SYSOUT *
rem * ********cbl* ************
rem * * *
rem * * *
rem * * *
rem * ************** *------CALL-----*
rem * * * *
rem * * * ************ ************
rem * * * * SIMODUMP *----* SYSLOG *
rem * * * ************ ************
rem * * *
rem * ************ *
rem * * EOJ * *------CALL-----*
rem * ************ *
rem * *
rem * *
rem * *
rem * ************ ************ ************
rem * * CURS0080 *----* CBLTBLC1 *----* LABEL1X6 *
rem * *******rseq* ********cbl* *******rseq*
rem *
rem * ********************************************************************
rem * Step 1 of 2 Set the global environment variables...
rem *
setlocal
set CmdName=CBLTRXE1
call ..\ENV1BASE
set JobStatus=0000
if "%SYSLOG%" == "" set syslog=c:\SimoLIBR\LOGS\SimoTime.LOG
rem *
call SimoNOTE "*******************************************************%CmdName%.cmd"
call SimoNOTE "Starting JobName %CmdName%"
rem * ********************************************************************
rem * Step 2 of 2 Execute the sample program...
rem *
set CURS0080=%BaseLib1%\DATA\Asc1\SIMOTIME.DATA.QSAM0080.DAT
set LABEL1X6=%BaseLib1%\DATA\Wrk1\SIMOTIME.DATA.LABEL1X6.DAT
if exist %LABEL1X6% erase %LABEL1X6%
run CBLTRXC1
if not "%ERRORLEVEL%" == "0" set JobStatus=0010
if not "%JobStatus%" == "0000" goto :EojNOK
:EojAOK
call SimoNOTE "Produced %LABEL1X6%"
call SimoNOTE "MSG_0001 Please review %SYSOUT%"
call SimoNOTE "MSG_0002 Please review %SYSLOG%"
start notepad %SYSOUT%
start notepad %SYSLOG%
call SimoNOTE "Finished JobName %CmdName%, Job Status is %JobStatus%"
goto :End
:EojNOK
call SimoNOTE "ABENDING JobName %CmdName%, Job Status is %JobStatus%"
echo %CmdName% is ABENDING>>%BaseLib1%\LOGS\ABENDLOG.TXT
goto :End
:End
call SimoNOTE "Conclude SysLog is %SYSLOG%"
if not "%1" == "nopause" pause
endlocal

COBOL Demonstration Program

The following (CBLTRXC1.cbl) is a sample of the Micro Focus COBOL demonstration program. This program will not compile
or execute on an IBM Mainframe because of the ORGANIZATION IS LINE SEQUENTIAL on the SELECT statement. If the
statement was changed to read ORGANIZATION IS SEQUENTIAL it would run on an IBM Mainframe and "read from" and
"write to" a sequential file. The program was tested using Micro Focus Net Express, version 5.0 running on Windows/XP.
IDENTIFICATION DIVISION.
PROGRAM-ID. CBLTRXC1.
AUTHOR. SIMOTIME TECHNOLOGIES.
*****************************************************************
* Copyright (C) 1987-2019 SimoTime Technologies. *
* *
* All rights reserved. Unpublished, all rights reserved under *
* copyright law and international treaty. Use of a copyright *
* notice is precautionary only and does not imply publication *
* or disclosure. *
* *
* Permission to use, copy, modify and distribute this software *
* for any non-commercial purpose and without fee is hereby *
* granted, provided the SimoTime copyright notice appear on all *
* copies of the software. The SimoTime name or Logo may not be *
* used in any advertising or publicity pertaining to the use *
* of the software without the written permission of SimoTime *
* Technologies. *
* *
* Permission to use, copy, modify and distribute this software *
* for any commercial purpose requires a fee to be paid to *
* SimoTime Technologies. Once the fee is received by SimoTime *
* the latest version of the software will be delivered and a *
* license will be granted for use within an enterprise, *
* provided the SimoTime copyright notice appear on all copies *
* of the software. The SimoTime name or Logo may not be used *
* in any advertising or publicity pertaining to the use of the *
* software without the written permission of SimoTime *
* Technologies. *
* *
* SimoTime Technologies makes no warranty or representations *
* about the suitability of the software for any purpose. It is *
* provided "AS IS" without any expressed or implied warranty, *
* including the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness *
* for a particular purpose and non-infringement. SimoTime *
* Technologies shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, *
* special or consequential damages resulting from the loss of *
* use, data or projects, whether in an action of contract or *
* tort, arising out of or in connection with the use or *
* performance of this software *
* *
* SimoTime Technologies *
* 15 Carnoustie Drive *
* Novato, CA 94949-5849 *
* 415.883.6565 *
* *
* RESTRICTED RIGHTS LEGEND *
* Use, duplication, or disclosure by the Government is subject *
* to restrictions as set forth in subparagraph (c)(1)(ii) of *
* the Rights in Technical Data and Computer Software clause at *
* DFARS 52.227-7013 or subparagraphs (c)(1) and (2) of *
* Commercial Computer Software - Restricted Rights at 48 *
* CFR 52.227-19, as applicable. Contact SimoTime Technologies, *
* 15 Carnoustie Drive, Novato, CA 94949-5849. *
* *
*****************************************************************
* This program is provided by SimoTime Technologies *
* Our e-mail address is: helpdesk@simotime.com *
* Also, visit our Web Site at http://www.simotime.com *
* *
*****************************************************************
*
*****************************************************************
* Source Member: CBLTRXC1.CBL
* Copy Files: PASSBITS.CPY
* Calls to: SIMOBITS
*****************************************************************
*
* CBLTRXC1 - COBOL code for commonly used processing tasks.
*
* CALLING PROTOCOL
* ----------------
* Use standard procedure to RUN or ANIMATE.
*
* DESCRIPTION
* -----------
* This program shows how to to some common business or system
* tasks. This program will also call a COBOL routine to access
* and sort a table..
*
* ************ ************
* * Entry * * Entry *
* * MVS * * Windows *
* ************ ************
* * *
* ************ ************
* * CBLTRXJ1 * * CBLTRXE1 *
* ********jcl* ********cmd*
* * *
* ************ *
* * IEFBR14 * *
* ********utl* *
* * *
* *********************************
* *
* *
* ************ ************
* * CBLTRXC1 *----* DISPLAY *
* ********cbl* ************
* * *
* * *
* * *
* ************** *---CALL----*
* * *
* * *
* ************ *
* * EOJ * *
* ************ *
* *
* *
* *
* ************ ************ ************
* * TXTA0512 *----* CBLTBLC1 *----* LABEL1X6 *
* ********txt* ********cbl* ********txt*
*
*
* This program calls CBLTBLC1 to process a table.
*
*****************************************************************
*
* MAINTENANCE
* -----------
* 1989/02/27 Simmons, Created program.
* 1997/03/17 Simmons, Updated for call to SIMOBITS.
*
*****************************************************************
*
ENVIRONMENT DIVISION.
DATA DIVISION.
WORKING-STORAGE SECTION.
*****************************************************************
* Data-structure for Title and Copyright...
* -----------------------------------------------------------*
01 SIM-TITLE.
05 T1 pic X(11) value '* CBLTRXC1 '.
05 T2 pic X(34) value 'Techniques and Common Routines' .
05 T3 pic X(10) value ' v11.11.03'.
05 T4 pic X(24) value ' http://www.simotime.com'.
01 SIM-COPYRIGHT.
05 C1 pic X(11) value '* CBLTRXC1 '.
05 C2 pic X(20) value 'Copyright 1987-2019 '.
05 C3 pic X(28) value ' SimoTime Technologies '.
05 C4 pic X(20) value ' All Rights Reserved'.

01 SIM-THANKS-01.
05 C1 pic X(11) value '* CBLTRXC1 '.
05 C2 pic X(32) value 'Thank you for using this program'.
05 C3 pic X(32) value ' provided from SimoTime Technolo'.
05 C4 pic X(04) value 'gies'.

01 SIM-THANKS-02.
05 C1 pic X(11) value '* CBLTRXC1 '.
05 C2 pic X(32) value 'Please send all inquires or sugg'.
05 C3 pic X(32) value 'estions to the helpdesk@simotime'.
05 C4 pic X(04) value '.com'.

*****************************************************************
* Buffer used for posting messages to the console.
* -----------------------------------------------------------*
01 MESSAGE-BUFFER.
 05 MESSAGE-HEADER pic X(11) value '* CBLTRXC1 '.
05 MESSAGE-TEXT.
10 MESSAGE-TEXT-1 pic X(68) value SPACES.
10 MESSAGE-TEXT-2 pic X(41) value SPACES.
* End-of-Message-Buffer

01 TASK-FLAGS.
05 TASK-FLAG-BANNER pic X value 'Y'.
05 TASK-FLAG-THANKS pic X value 'Y'.
05 TASK-FLAG-DISPLAY pic X value 'Y'.
05 TASK-FLAG-SYSOUT pic X value 'Y'.

01 WORK-50 pic X(50) value SPACES.

01 IX-1 pic 9(3) value 0.

01 BASE-FIELD pic X(3) value 'ABC'.

01 BASE-FIELD-X redefines BASE-FIELD.
05 BASE-FIELD-X1 pic X.
05 BASE-FIELD-X2 pic X.
05 BASE-FIELD-X3 pic X.

01 NUMBERS-GROUP-01.
05 NBR-05-PACK-SIGN pic S9(5) comp-3 value 123.
05 NBR-05-PACK-SIGN-X redefines NBR-05-PACK-SIGN
pic X(3).
05 FILLER pic X(13) value SPACES.

05 NBR-05-SIGN-LEAD-S pic S9(5) value 456

SIGN LEADING SEPARATE.
05 NBR-05-SIGN-LEAD-S-X redefines NBR-05-SIGN-LEAD-S
pic X(6).
05 FILLER pic X(10) value SPACES.

05 NBR-05-EDIT-SIGN pic +ZZZ.99.

05 FILLER pic X(09) value SPACES.

01 NBR-12-X pic X(12) value '123'.

01 NBR-12 redefines NBR-12-X
pic 9(12).

01 ROUTINE-NAME pic X(31).

01 WORK-80 pic X(80).

01 UPPER-CASE pic X(26) value 'ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ'.

01 LOWER-CASE pic X(26) value 'abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz'.

01 MONTH-DATA.
05 FILLER pic X(9) value 'January '.
05 FILLER pic X(9) value 'February '.
05 FILLER pic X(9) value 'March '.
05 FILLER pic X(9) value 'April '.
05 FILLER pic X(9) value 'May '.
05 FILLER pic X(9) value 'June '.
05 FILLER pic X(9) value 'July '.
05 FILLER pic X(9) value 'August '.
05 FILLER pic X(9) value 'September'.
05 FILLER pic X(9) value 'October '.
05 FILLER pic X(9) value 'November '.
05 FILLER pic X(9) value 'December '.
01 MONTH-TABLE redefines MONTH-DATA.
05 MONTH-TEXT pic X(9) occurs 12 times.
01 MM-IDX pic 99 value 0.

01
TODAY-IN-TEXT.
05 FILLER pic X(9) value 'Today is '.
05 TODAY-WORD pic X(18) value SPACES.
*****************************************************************
* Working Storage items for the Z-ROUTINES...
* -----------------------------------------------------------*
01 Z-DATE-01.
05 Z-DATE-01-CC pic 9(02).
05 Z-DATE-01-YY pic 9(02).
05 Z-DATE-01-MM pic 9(02).
 05 Z-DATE-01-DD pic 9(02).
01 Z-TIME-01.
05 Z-TIME-01-HH pic X(02).
05 Z-TIME-01-NN pic X(02).
05 Z-TIME-01-SS pic X(02).
05 Z-TIME-01-TT pic X(02).

01 Z-DATE-TIME-02.
05 Z-DATE-02.
10 Z-DATE-02-CC pic 9(02).
10 Z-DATE-02-YY pic 9(02).
10 FILLER pic X value '/'.
10 Z-DATE-02-MM pic 9(02).
10 FILLER pic X value '/'.
10 Z-DATE-02-DD pic 9(02).
05 filler pic x(3) value ' - '.
05 Z-TIME-02.
10 Z-TIME-02-HH pic 9(02).
10 FILLER pic X value ':'.
10 Z-TIME-02-MM pic 9(02).
10 FILLER pic X value ':'.
10 Z-TIME-02-SS pic 9(02).
10 FILLER pic X value '.'.
10 Z-TIME-02-TT pic 9(02).

01 Z-DATE-TIME-03.
05 Z-DATE-03.
10 Z-DATE-03-CC pic 9(02).
10 Z-DATE-03-YY pic 9(02).
10 FILLER pic X value '/'.
10 Z-DATE-03-MM pic 9(02).
10 FILLER pic X value '/'.
10 Z-DATE-03-DD pic 9(02).
05 filler pic x(3) value ' - '.
05 Z-TIME-03.
10 Z-TIME-03-HH pic 9(02).
10 FILLER pic X value ':'.
10 Z-TIME-03-MM pic 9(02).
10 FILLER pic X value ':'.
10 Z-TIME-03-SS pic 9(02).
10 FILLER pic X value '.'.
10 Z-TIME-03-TT pic 9(02).

01 ELASPED-TIME-X.
05 ELAPSED-TIME pic ZZ,ZZZ.99.

01 INITIALIZE-GROUP.
05 INIT-TEXT-01 pic X(6) value 'PREFIX'.
05 INIT-ZDU1-01 pic 9(5) value 12345.
05 INIT-PDU1-01 pic 9(5) COMP-3 value 12345.
05 INIT-BNU1-01 pic 9(5) COMP value 12345.
05 INIT-TEXT-02 pic X(6) value 'SUFFIX'.
01 INITIAL-TOTAL pic 9(7) value 0.

01 Z-WORK-12 pic X(12) value SPACES.

01 Z-X12 pic 9(3) value 0.

01 DUMP-HEADER.
05 filler pic X value '*'.
05 filler pic X value ' '.
05 H1 pic X(7) value ' Offset'.
05 filler pic X value ' '.
05 H2 pic X(35) value 'Hex..... ........ ........ ........'.
05 filler pic X value ' '.
05 H3 pic X(16) value 'ebcdic..........'.
05 filler pic X value ' '.
05 H4 pic X(16) value 'ascii...........'.

COPY PASSDUMP.
COPY ASCEBCB1.

*****************************************************************
PROCEDURE DIVISION.
 if TASK-FLAG-BANNER = 'Y'
perform Z-POST-COPYRIGHT
end-if

* Show an example of accessing the system date and time.

perform GET-SYSTEM-DATE

* Show how to use the INSPECT statement to do case conversion.

perform CASE-CONVERSION

* Show how to convert between ASCII and EBCDIC using the

* INSPECT statement.
perform ASCII-EBCDIC-CONVERSION

* Show an example of a COBOL REDEFINES

perform COBOL-REDEFINES-EXAMPLE

perform COBOL-REFERENCE-MODIFICATION

* Show how to test for a numeric value within a field.

perform NUMERIC-TESTING

* Show a Right-Adjust and Zero-fill.

perform RIGHT-ADJUST-ZERO-FILL

* Show how to convert from a NUMERIC, PACKED field to a

* display, numeric field.
perform NUMERIC-PACKED-TO-DISPLAY

* Show an example of table processing

perform TABLE-PROCESSING-BUBBLE-SORT

perform Z-GET-DATE-AND-TIME

if TASK-FLAG-THANKS = 'Y'
perform Z-THANK-YOU
end-if

GOBACK.

* HTML-TAG
*****************************************************************
ASCII-EBCDIC-CONVERSION.
move 'ASCII-EBCDIC-CONVERSION' to ROUTINE-NAME
perform Z-ROUTINE-STARTING

perform Z-ROUTINE-FINISHED
exit.

* HTML-TAG
*****************************************************************
* This routine requires the following items.
* Z-DATE-TIME-02 will contain the stop time
* Z-DATE-TIME-03 will contain the start time
* This routine will provide the follow item.
* ELAPSED-TIME will be calculated by the sub-routine.
*
CALCULATE-ELAPSED-TIME.
if Z-DATE-TIME-02 > Z-DATE-TIME-03
compute
ELAPSED-TIME = (Z-TIME-02-HH * 3600
+ Z-TIME-02-MM * 60
+ Z-TIME-02-SS
+ Z-TIME-02-TT / 100)
-
(Z-TIME-03-HH * 3600
+ Z-TIME-03-MM * 60
+ Z-TIME-03-SS
+ Z-TIME-03-TT / 100)
else
move ZEROES to ELAPSED-TIME
end-if
exit.
* HTML-TAG
*****************************************************************
* This routine will convert text strings of mixed case to all
* upper or lower case.
*
CASE-CONVERSION.
move 'CASE-CONVERSION' to ROUTINE-NAME
perform Z-ROUTINE-STARTING

move 'Before - Please make this all upper case'

to MESSAGE-TEXT
perform Z-POST-MESSAGE
move 'After - Please make this all upper case'
to MESSAGE-TEXT
* Do the case conversion . . .
inspect MESSAGE-TEXT converting LOWER-CASE to UPPER-CASE
perform Z-POST-MESSAGE

move 'BEFORE - PLEASE MAKE THIS ALL LOWER CASE'

to MESSAGE-TEXT
perform Z-POST-MESSAGE
move 'AFTER - PLEASE MAKE THIS ALL LOWER CASE'
to MESSAGE-TEXT
* Do the case conversion . . .
inspect MESSAGE-TEXT converting UPPER-CASE to LOWER-CASE
perform Z-POST-MESSAGE

perform Z-ROUTINE-FINISHED
exit.

* HTML-TAG
*****************************************************************
COBOL-REDEFINES-EXAMPLE.
move 'COBOL-REDEFINES-EXAMPLE' to ROUTINE-NAME
perform Z-ROUTINE-STARTING

* Display the full three (3) byte field

move 'Base-Field ' to MESSAGE-TEXT
move BASE-FIELD to MESSAGE-TEXT(17:3)
perform Z-POST-MESSAGE
* Display the 1st byte of the field using the REDEFINE
move 'Base-Field-X1 ' to MESSAGE-TEXT
move BASE-FIELD-X1 to MESSAGE-TEXT(17:1)
perform Z-POST-MESSAGE
* Display the 2nd byte of the field using the REDEFINE
move 'Base-Field-X2 ' to MESSAGE-TEXT
move BASE-FIELD-X2 to MESSAGE-TEXT(17:1)
perform Z-POST-MESSAGE
* Display the 3rd byte of the field using the REDEFINE
move 'Base-Field-X3 ' to MESSAGE-TEXT
move BASE-FIELD-X3 to MESSAGE-TEXT(17:1)
perform Z-POST-MESSAGE

perform Z-ROUTINE-FINISHED
exit.

* HTML-TAG
*****************************************************************
COBOL-REFERENCE-MODIFICATION.
move 'COBOL-REFERENCE-MODIFICATION' to ROUTINE-NAME
perform Z-ROUTINE-STARTING

move 'Access each byte in a text string, Explicit Code'

to MESSAGE-TEXT
perform Z-POST-MESSAGE
* Display the full three (3) byte field
move 'Base-Field ' to MESSAGE-TEXT
move BASE-FIELD to MESSAGE-TEXT(17:3)
perform Z-POST-MESSAGE
* Reference and display the 1st byte of the field
move 'Base-Field(1:1) ' to MESSAGE-TEXT
move BASE-FIELD(1:1) to MESSAGE-TEXT(17:1)
perform Z-POST-MESSAGE
* Reference and display the 2nd byte of the field
 move 'Base-Field(2:1) ' to MESSAGE-TEXT
move BASE-FIELD(2:1) to MESSAGE-TEXT(17:1)
perform Z-POST-MESSAGE
* Reference and display the 3rd byte of the field
move 'Base-Field(3:1) ' to MESSAGE-TEXT
move BASE-FIELD(3:1) to MESSAGE-TEXT(17:1)
perform Z-POST-MESSAGE

move 'Access each byte in a text string, Perform loop'

to MESSAGE-TEXT
perform Z-POST-MESSAGE
* Display the full three (3) byte field
move 'Text String ' to MESSAGE-TEXT
move UPPER-CASE to MESSAGE-TEXT(17:26)
perform Z-POST-MESSAGE
* Reference and display each byte of the field
perform varying IX-1 from 1 by 1 until IX-1 > 26
move 'Byte nnn is the character ' to MESSAGE-TEXT
inspect MESSAGE-TEXT replacing first 'nnn' by IX-1
move UPPER-CASE(IX-1:1) to MESSAGE-TEXT(27:1)
perform Z-POST-MESSAGE
end-perform

perform Z-ROUTINE-FINISHED
exit.

* HTML-TAG
*****************************************************************
GET-SYSTEM-DATE.
move 'GET-SYSTEM-DATE' to ROUTINE-NAME
perform Z-ROUTINE-STARTING

perform Z-GET-DATE-AND-TIME

move Z-DATE-01 to MESSAGE-TEXT

move 'System Date ' to MESSAGE-TEXT(14:14)
perform Z-POST-MESSAGE
move Z-TIME-01 to MESSAGE-TEXT
move 'System Time ' to MESSAGE-TEXT(14:14)
perform Z-POST-MESSAGE

move Z-DATE-02 to MESSAGE-TEXT

move 'Formatted Date' to MESSAGE-TEXT(14:14)
perform Z-POST-MESSAGE
move Z-TIME-02 to MESSAGE-TEXT
move 'Formatted Time' to MESSAGE-TEXT(14:14)
perform Z-POST-MESSAGE

if Z-DATE-01-MM GREATER THAN 0

and LESS THAN 13
move MONTH-TEXT(Z-DATE-01-MM) to TODAY-WORD
inspect TODAY-WORD replacing all SPACES by '*'
inspect TODAY-WORD replacing first '**' by ' *'
inspect TODAY-WORD replacing first '**' by Z-DATE-01-DD
inspect TODAY-WORD replacing first '**' by ', '
inspect TODAY-WORD replacing first '**' by Z-DATE-01-CC
inspect TODAY-WORD replacing first '**' by Z-DATE-01-YY
inspect TODAY-WORD replacing all '*' by SPACES
move TODAY-IN-TEXT to MESSAGE-TEXT
perform Z-POST-MESSAGE
else
move 'INVALID Month requested...' to MESSAGE-TEXT
perform Z-POST-MESSAGE
end-if
perform Z-ROUTINE-FINISHED
exit.

* HTML-TAG
*****************************************************************
NUMERIC-PACKED-TO-DISPLAY.
move 'NUMERIC-PACKED-TO-DISPLAY' to ROUTINE-NAME
perform Z-ROUTINE-STARTING

* The following statement will place the arithmetic value of

* the packed-decimal field into the zone-decimal field with
* the SIGN LEADING SEPARATE.
* The actual value will be x'4EF0F0F1F2F3'. This results in
* converting the packed-decimal field. Both fields have an
* implied decimal point.
add NBR-05-PACK-SIGN to ZERO giving NBR-05-SIGN-LEAD-S

* The following statement will place the arithmetic value of

* the packed-decimal field into the edited print field. The
* actual value will be x'4E4040F14BF2F3'. This results in
* converting the packed-decimal field but has leading spaces.
add NBR-05-PACK-SIGN to ZERO giving NBR-05-EDIT-SIGN

* The preceding two (2) statements do the conversion of the

* packed-decimal field to a display-text field.
* The following will post a hexadecimal dump of the various
* fields with the possible ASCII or EBCDIC display.
* The hexadecimal dump information is posted to both the
* SYSOUT and SYSLOG files.

move 'DUMP' to SIMODUMP-REQUEST

move 'HIDE' to SIMODUMP-COPYRIGHT
if TASK-FLAG-SYSOUT = 'Y'
move 'LOG1' to SIMODUMP-OUTPUT
else
move 'OPR2' to SIMODUMP-OUTPUT
end-if
move 'PACKED01' to SIMODUMP-DUMP-ID
add length of NUMBERS-GROUP-01
to ZERO
giving SIMODUMP-LENGTH
move NUMBERS-GROUP-01 to SIMODUMP-BUFFER
call 'SIMODUMP' using SIMODUMP-PASS-AREA
SIMODUMP-BUFFER
move 'Info_MSG Display Working Storage dump' to MESSAGE-TEXT
perform Z-POST-MESSAGE
move DUMP-HEADER to MESSAGE-TEXT
perform Z-POST-MESSAGE
move SIMODUMP-LINES(1) to MESSAGE-TEXT
perform Z-POST-MESSAGE
move SIMODUMP-LINES(2) to MESSAGE-TEXT
perform Z-POST-MESSAGE
move SIMODUMP-LINES(3) to MESSAGE-TEXT
perform Z-POST-MESSAGE

perform Z-ROUTINE-FINISHED
exit.

* HTML-TAG
*****************************************************************
NUMERIC-TESTING.
* This segment of code will describe and demonstrate the
* COBOL techniques for checking the validity of a numeric
* field. The techniques for initializing both numeric and
* alphanumeric fields is included.
*
* Data Structure used for this example is as follows:
*
*01 INITIALIZE-GROUP.
* 05 INIT-TEXT-01 pic X(6) value 'PREFIX'.
* 05 INIT-ZDU1-01 pic 9(5) value 12345.
* 05 INIT-PDU1-01 pic 9(5) COMP-3 value 12345.
* 05 INIT-BNU1-01 pic 9(5) COMP value 12345.
* 05 INIT-TEXT-02 pic X(6) value 'SUFFIX'.
*01 INITIAL-TOTAL pic 9(7) value 0.
*
move 'NUMERIC-TESTING' to ROUTINE-NAME
perform Z-ROUTINE-STARTING
*---------------------------------------------------------------*
* T1, Test the program default values of the group numerics
* for validity and display results.
*
if INIT-ZDU1-01 is NUMERIC
and INIT-PDU1-01 is NUMERIC
 compute INITIAL-TOTAL = INIT-ZDU1-01
+ INIT-PDU1-01
+ INIT-BNU1-01
display '* CBLTRXC1 T1, INIT-TEXT-01 is ' INIT-TEXT-01
display '* CBLTRXC1 T1, INITIAL-TOTAL = ' INITIAL-TOTAL
display '* CBLTRXC1 T1, INIT-TEXT-02 is ' INIT-TEXT-02
else
move 'T1, A Numeric Field contains non-Numeric value...'
to MESSAGE-TEXT
perform Z-POST-MESSAGE
end-if

*---------------------------------------------------------------*
* T2, Initialize the fields as a group. This should initialize
* the text strings to spaces and the numerics to Zeroes.
* Test the numerics for validity and display results.
*
initialize INITIALIZE-GROUP
if INIT-ZDU1-01 is NUMERIC
and INIT-PDU1-01 is NUMERIC
compute INITIAL-TOTAL = INIT-ZDU1-01
+ INIT-PDU1-01
+ INIT-BNU1-01
display '* CBLTRXC1 T2, INIT-TEXT-01 is ' INIT-TEXT-01
display '* CBLTRXC1 T2, INITIAL-TOTAL = ' INITIAL-TOTAL
display '* CBLTRXC1 T2, INIT-TEXT-02 is ' INIT-TEXT-02
else
move 'T2, A Numeric Field contains non-Numeric value...'
to MESSAGE-TEXT
perform Z-POST-MESSAGE
end-if

*---------------------------------------------------------------*
* T3, Initialize the fields as a group using the "replacing"
* function of the INITIALIZE. The following segment of
* code should initialize the text strings to all X's and
* the numerics to 1.
* Test the numerics for validity and display results.
*
initialize INITIALIZE-GROUP replacing
NUMERIC DATA by 1
ALPHANUMERIC BY all 'X'
if INIT-ZDU1-01 is NUMERIC
and INIT-PDU1-01 is NUMERIC
compute INITIAL-TOTAL = INIT-ZDU1-01
+ INIT-PDU1-01
+ INIT-BNU1-01
display '* CBLTRXC1 T3, INIT-TEXT-01 is ' INIT-TEXT-01
display '* CBLTRXC1 T3, INITIAL-TOTAL = ' INITIAL-TOTAL
display '* CBLTRXC1 T3, INIT-TEXT-02 is ' INIT-TEXT-02
else
move 'T3, A Numeric Field contains non-Numeric value...'
to MESSAGE-TEXT
perform Z-POST-MESSAGE
end-if

*---------------------------------------------------------------*
* T4, Move all spaces to the group item. The following
* segment of code should move all spaces to all the fields
* under the group item. This should produce an invalid
* result when the numeric fields are tested for validity.
*
* The use of a "MOVE" of all SPACES at the group level is
* not a good practice when the group contains fields that
* are defined as numeric.
*
move all SPACES to INITIALIZE-GROUP
if INIT-ZDU1-01 is NUMERIC
and INIT-PDU1-01 is NUMERIC
compute INITIAL-TOTAL = INIT-ZDU1-01
+ INIT-PDU1-01
+ INIT-BNU1-01
display '* CBLTRXC1 T4, INIT-TEXT-01 is ' INIT-TEXT-01
display '* CBLTRXC1 T4, INITIAL-TOTAL = ' INITIAL-TOTAL
 display '* CBLTRXC1 T4, INIT-TEXT-02 is ' INIT-TEXT-02
else
move 'T4, A Numeric Field contains non-Numeric value...'
to MESSAGE-TEXT
perform Z-POST-MESSAGE
end-if

perform Z-ROUTINE-FINISHED
exit.

* HTML-TAG
*****************************************************************
*
RIGHT-ADJUST-ZERO-FILL.
move 'RIGHT-ADJUST-ZERO-FILL' to ROUTINE-NAME
perform Z-ROUTINE-STARTING

move '123 ' to NBR-12-X

perform RIGHT-ADJUST-ZERO-FILL-02

move '12345 ' to NBR-12-X

perform RIGHT-ADJUST-ZERO-FILL-02

move '1234567 ' to NBR-12-X

perform RIGHT-ADJUST-ZERO-FILL-02

perform Z-ROUTINE-FINISHED
exit.
*---------------------------------------------------------------*
RIGHT-ADJUST-ZERO-FILL-02.
* Test for Numeric content before the Right-Adjust, leading,
* trailing or embedded space characters should cause a
* non-numeric condition to exist.
if NBR-12 NUMERIC
move 'NBR-12 AOK...' to MESSAGE-TEXT
move NBR-12 to MESSAGE-TEXT(14:12)
perform Z-POST-MESSAGE
else
move 'NBR-12 NOK...' to MESSAGE-TEXT
move NBR-12 to MESSAGE-TEXT(14:12)
perform Z-POST-MESSAGE
end-if

* Do the Right-Adjust with Zero-Fill

move NBR-12-X to Z-WORK-12
perform Z-RIGHT-ADJUST-Z-WORK-12
move Z-WORK-12 to NBR-12-X

* Test for Numeric content after the Right-Adjust

if NBR-12 NUMERIC
move 'NBR-12 AOK...' to MESSAGE-TEXT
move NBR-12 to MESSAGE-TEXT(14:12)
perform Z-POST-MESSAGE
else
move 'NBR-12 NOK...' to MESSAGE-TEXT
move NBR-12 to MESSAGE-TEXT(14:12)
perform Z-POST-MESSAGE
end-if
exit.

* HTML-TAG
*****************************************************************
*
TABLE-PROCESSING-BUBBLE-SORT.
move 'TABLE-PROCESSING-BUBBLE-SORT' to ROUTINE-NAME
perform Z-ROUTINE-STARTING
* Get and Post the Starting Time
perform Z-GET-DATE-AND-TIME
move Z-DATE-TIME-02 to Z-DATE-TIME-03
move 'Starting Time ' to MESSAGE-TEXT
move Z-DATE-TIME-03 to MESSAGE-TEXT(15:24)
perform Z-POST-MESSAGE

call 'CBLTBLC1'
* Get and Post the Finished Time
perform Z-GET-DATE-AND-TIME
move 'Finished Time ' to MESSAGE-TEXT
move Z-DATE-TIME-02 to MESSAGE-TEXT(15:24)
perform Z-POST-MESSAGE

perform CALCULATE-ELAPSED-TIME

move 'Elapsed Time ' to MESSAGE-TEXT

move ELAPSED-TIME to MESSAGE-TEXT(30:9)
move 'Seconds' to MESSAGE-TEXT(40:7)
perform Z-POST-MESSAGE

perform Z-ROUTINE-FINISHED
exit.

* HTML-TAG
*****************************************************************
* The following Z-Routines perform administrative tasks *
* for this program. *
*****************************************************************
* This routine requires COBOL for 390 dialect because of the
* use of the YYYYMMDD on the ACCEPT statement.
*
Z-GET-DATE-AND-TIME.
accept Z-DATE-01 from DATE YYYYMMDD
accept Z-TIME-01 from TIME

move 'ccyy/mm/dd' to Z-DATE-02

move Z-DATE-01(1:4) to Z-DATE-02(1:4)
move Z-DATE-01(5:2) to Z-DATE-02(6:2)
move Z-DATE-01(7:2) to Z-DATE-02(9:2)

move 'hh:mm:ss.00' to Z-TIME-02

move Z-TIME-01(1:2) to Z-TIME-02(1:2)
move Z-TIME-01(3:2) to Z-TIME-02(4:2)
move Z-TIME-01(5:2) to Z-TIME-02(7:2)
move Z-TIME-01(7:2) to Z-TIME-02(10:2)

exit.

*****************************************************************
Z-POST-COPYRIGHT.
if TASK-FLAG-SYSOUT = 'Y'
display SIM-TITLE
display SIM-COPYRIGHT
else
display SIM-TITLE upon console
display SIM-COPYRIGHT upon console
end-if
exit.

*****************************************************************
Z-POST-MESSAGE.
if TASK-FLAG-SYSOUT = 'Y'
display MESSAGE-BUFFER
else
display MESSAGE-BUFFER upon console
end-if
move SPACES to MESSAGE-TEXT
exit.

*****************************************************************
Z-POST-MESSAGE-TEXT.
if MESSAGE-TEXT-2 = SPACES
if TASK-FLAG-SYSOUT = 'Y'
display MESSAGE-BUFFER(1:79)
else
display MESSAGE-BUFFER(1:79) upon console
end-if
else
if TASK-FLAG-SYSOUT = 'Y'
display MESSAGE-BUFFER
 else
display MESSAGE-BUFFER upon console
end-if
end-if
move SPACES to MESSAGE-TEXT
exit.

*****************************************************************
* Delete all characters to the right of the first space then
* right-adjust with zero fill. This routine works with a single,
* twelve character field and does not require a work area.
*****************************************************************
Z-RIGHT-ADJUST-Z-WORK-12.
* The following INSPECT statement will erase to end-of-field
* any characters after the first space character.
inspect Z-WORK-12
replacing CHARACTERS by ' ' after initial ' '

* The following IF logic is for performance. It quickly

* reduces the number of loops for the PERFORM logic.
if Z-WORK-12(7:6) = SPACES
if Z-WORK-12(4:3) = SPACES
move Z-WORK-12(1:3) to Z-WORK-12(10:3)
move all ZEROES to Z-WORK-12(1:9)
else
move Z-WORK-12(1:6) to Z-WORK-12(7:6)
move all ZEROES to Z-WORK-12(1:6)
end-if
else
if Z-WORK-12(10:3) = SPACES
* The following three MOVE statements are used to
* avoid a potential problem with an overlapping MOVE.
move Z-WORK-12(7:3) to Z-WORK-12(10:3)
move Z-WORK-12(4:3) to Z-WORK-12(7:3)
move Z-WORK-12(1:3) to Z-WORK-12(4:3)
move all ZEROES to Z-WORK-12(1:3)
end-if
end-if

perform until Z-WORK-12(12:1) not = SPACE

if Z-WORK-12(12:1) = SPACE
add 11 to ZERO giving Z-X12
perform 11 times
move Z-WORK-12(Z-X12:1) to Z-WORK-12(Z-X12 + 1:1)
subtract 1 from Z-X12
end-perform
move ZERO to Z-WORK-12(1:1)
end-if
end-perform
exit.

*****************************************************************
Z-ROUTINE-STARTING.
if TASK-FLAG-DISPLAY = 'Y'
move all '-' to MESSAGE-TEXT(1:64)
move '*' to MESSAGE-TEXT(1:1)
move '*' to MESSAGE-TEXT(64:1)
perform Z-POST-MESSAGE-TEXT
move 'Starting ' to MESSAGE-TEXT
move ROUTINE-NAME to MESSAGE-TEXT(10:32)
perform Z-POST-MESSAGE-TEXT
end-if
exit.

*****************************************************************
Z-ROUTINE-FINISHED.
if TASK-FLAG-DISPLAY = 'Y'
move 'Finished ' to MESSAGE-TEXT
move ROUTINE-NAME to MESSAGE-TEXT(10:32)
perform Z-POST-MESSAGE-TEXT
move SPACES to ROUTINE-NAME
end-if
exit.
 *****************************************************************
Z-THANK-YOU.
if TASK-FLAG-SYSOUT = 'Y'
display SIM-THANKS-01
display SIM-THANKS-02
else
display SIM-THANKS-01 upon console
display SIM-THANKS-02 upon console
end-if
exit.
*****************************************************************
* This example is provided by SimoTime Technologies *
* Our e-mail address is: helpdesk@simotime.com *
* Also, visit our Web Site at http://www.simotime.com *
*****************************************************************

Summary
This suite of programs shows various COBOL coding techniques to perform tasks or provide function that may be considered
outside the primary business processing requirements. This document may be used to assist as a tutorial for new
programmers or as a quick reference for experienced programmers.
In the world of programming there are many ways to solve a problem. This document and the links to other documents are
intended to provide a greater awareness of the Data Management and Application Processing alternatives.
The documentation and software were developed and tested on systems that are configured for a SIMOTIME environment
based on the hardware, operating systems, user requirements and security requirements. Therefore, adjustments may be
needed to execute the jobs and programs when transferred to a system of a different architecture or configuration.
SIMOTIME Services has experience in moving or sharing data or application processing across a variety of systems. For
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The first group of documents may be available from a local system or via an internet connection, the second group of
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Note: A SimoTime License is required for the items to be made available on a local system or server.

Current Server or Internet Access

The following links may be to the current server or to the Internet.
Explore the COBOL Connection for more examples of COBOL programming techniques and sample code.
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technologies (or Z-Packs) provide individual programming examples, documentation and test data files in a single package.
The Z-Packs are usually in zip format to reduce the amount of time to download.
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understand the bit structures and differences of the encoding formats.
Explore The File Status Return Codes to interpret the results of accessing VSAM data sets and/or QSAM files.
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Glossary of Terms
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COBOL Coding Tricks, the Common and the Esoteric
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