Mainframe Utilities and Development Tools Training Bookmark this page

Submit Mainframe Questions	Contact You	Mainframe Skillset Assessment	Advanced search
Knowledge Base	Enrollment

Mainframe Utilities Schedule   COBOL Schedule Mainframe New York Schedule   Cost Analysis	Courseware for Teaching
InterTest, Endevor, DYL-280, and Panvalet are registered trademarks of Computer Associates. Abend-AID and File-AID family of software are registered trademarks of Compuware Corporation. CICS-SDF, ISPF Facility, and IBM Tools are registered trademarks of IBM Corporation. Syncsort is a registered trademark of Syncsort, Inc.		Sitemap

Efficient and Purposeful Utilization of Mainframe Development Tools

Mainframe Utilities and Development Tools Software IBM Corporation provides utility programs for organizing and maintaining data in its mainframe operating systems. The utilities perform frequently used functions. The functions and control provided by a utility fall into three categories: system, dataset utilities, and independent. System utilities Programs for maintaining and manipulating system and user datasets and entire volumes. The programs are required to reside in an authorized library and are controlled by JCL and utility control statements. Dataset utility programs Programs for reorganizing, changing, or comparing data at the dataset or record level. The programs are controlled by JCL statements and utility control statements. The utilities are used to manipulate partitioned, sequential or indexed sequential datasets, or PDSE: partitioned datasets extended provided as input to the programs. Data can be manipulated from fields within a logical record including up to an entire dataset. Independent utilities Programs to prepare devices for system use when the operating system is not available. Independent utilities operate outside of the operating system and are controlled by utility control statements. An independent program supports the mainframe operating system, but cannot be invoked by a calling program. Better than the Training Offered by the Big Three: IBM, Computer Associates, and Compuware SYS-ED's cadre of system consultants are recognized experts in application development with legacy programming languages and mainframe system software. For the better part of a a quarter century, we have been teaching integrated hands-on exercises for mainframe utilities and development tools for the IBM mainframe environment. Members of our staff participated in first generation implementation of the mainframe utilities and developments tools which in most cases predates the current corporate ownership of the software: InterTest, Panvalet, Roscoe, Vollie, Wylbur, DYL-280, Endevor, File-AID family of products, TSO Xpediter, CICS Xpediter, Easytrieve, SDF-II, and Syncsort SYS-ED has been called on by major software companies, IBM, Computer Associates, Compuware, and Serena Software, to train their clients how to code and debug legacy programming languages in mainframe system software environments. In conjunction with teaching industry standard mainframe utility and development tools courses, guidelines are provided: Software Guideline CA Endevor SCM Installation specific release and emergency packages recommendations. CA-InterTest Accelerating and improving application development and system testing under CICS InterTest with the Assembler, COBOL, and PL/1 programming languages. Compuware File-AID Customizing data to operational requirements and enhancing the reliability of data in a production system. Compuware Xpediter Accelerating the coding and debugging of programs and automating the analysis, testing process, and implementation of applications. The SYS-ED advantage, for Fortune 1000, government municipalities, healthcare providers, and consulting companies is that not only do we know the utilities, but we are recognized experts on the systems software - VSAM, IMS, CICS and DB2 and operating systems: z/OS, Z/VM, and z/VSE. And truth be told, when it comes to a difficult assignment; such as when IBM software developers needed guidance in designing and coding products to compete with Compuware software or when Computer Associates does not have a multidisciplinary employee on its staff to teach DYL-280 (VISION-RESULTS) in a DL/1 VSE shop, these industry leaders call on SYS-ED’s system consultant instructors to “explain and teach”. An impartial analysis of the featureset of the IBM Tools is provided in relation to the third party mainframe utilities and development tools software. SYS-ED Mainframe Training Service When it comes to legacy programming languages - COBOL, Assembler Language, PL/1, Fortran, and REXX, evolutionary systems software - VSAM, CICS,  IMS, DB2, IDMS, and ADABAS and new technologies integrated with IBM mainframe systems - WebSphere MQ, SYS-ED’s credentials in terms of consultancy experience and advanced degrees in many situations will be superior to that of the employees from the source software companies. We recognize and differentiate between industry standard content and educational consulting. SYS-ED will not accept a mainframe utilities and development tools assignment without a consultation with the prospective client organization. We review the background of the employees to be trained, operating environment, documented standards, and project specifications, and use that information to select the code snippets, examples, skeleton programs, and hands-on exercises. We then prepare a training strategy: lesson plan, modular courseware, training aids, and validation assessment. The pre course consultation allow us to identify and differentiate between teaching an industry standard course as compared to the client’s true need for educational consultancy: guidelines and best practices. And when not confident that we can provide a superior training outcome, will politely turn down an assignment. Knowledge Base and Submit Mainframe Questions SYS-ED reviews information in the public domain distributed by software companies, international standards committees, and purveyors of open source software. We perform our own independent analysis and assessment of benchmarks for software updates and new products. Vendor documentation and third party content is interpreted and selectively incorporated into our courseware and training aids. SYS-ED clients are invited to submit mainframe questions. Our system consultants and CETi Technology Partners answer, explain, and where applicable reference source documentation. Questions are reviewed and answered on a first-come/first serve-basis. This service is available through our categorized and software specific mainframe websites. Courseware Superior by Design SYS-ED courseware incorporates industry standard content and consultancy derived techniques for utilizing third party and IBM mainframe utilities to manage datasets and simplify application development. An important component in the delivery of the programming language training was the development of courseware: student hand-outs, walkthroughs, examples, workshops, and training aids. The principles of adult learning have been applied to the content, interpreting and translating subject matter into performance objectives, narrative descriptions, and diagrams which explain the architecture, design, and logic of the programming language. Our courseware library has been incrementally augmented, revised, and maintained. It is highly valued where there is a scarcity of up to date text books. For organization’s which have a requirement for its own employees to teach mainframe utilities and development tools courses or present the courseware through a web-based learning medium, courseware will be organized and licensed for utilization in the client's presentation system. Courseware as Learning Center SYS-ED's mainframe utilities and development courseware has been migrated for utilization in a distance-learning delivery medium and integration with our web-based mainframe curriculum. It is a by product of a commitment to excellence and helping information technology professionals learn. Courseware as a learning center is used in conjunction with teaching mainframe training programs: Entry Level Mainframe Programming Skills and Development Tools Assembler Programming Language COBOL Programming Language PL/1 Programming Language CICS Transaction Server It is available for use in an advertising free environment for prospective client organizations to prequalify the employees to be trained and provide remedial instruction. Feedback is used to augment and refine the reference documentation to address operational requirements.

Information Technology in Transition First Generation and Longstanding Experience in Information Technology  Alternative to the Information Training Offered by the Software Companies Technology Updates IBM Mainframe Operating Systems z/OS Operating System Technology Update z/VSE Operating System Technology Update z/VM Operating System Technology Update Mainframe Utilities and Development Tools DYL-280 Technology Update Easytrieve Plus Technology Update File-AID Family Technology Update IBM Tools Technology Update ISPF Productivity Tool Technology Update Programming Skills Technology Update IBM Legacy Mainframe Development Environment COBOL Technology Update CICS Technology Update DB2 Technology Update IMS Technology Update Programming Languages Technology Update VSAM Technology Update Learning Paths CICS COBOL DB2  IMS Mainframe VSAM Advanced search In order to review and print course topics, invoke the Search button.

Courseware for Teaching

The Computer Education Techniques courseware used in SYS-ED courses consists of student hand-outs, training aids, documented walkthroughs, and industry-specific examples and exercises. The CETi knowledge base aggregates and analyzes information in the public domain. It also is a service for reviewing and answering questions. Content is selectively added to SYS-ED course hand-outs and training aids. The long term strategy is to have our courseware recognized as a NRV: Nationally Recognized Vendor.

Mainframe Utilities and Development Tools - Distance-learning Service

IBM Mainframe Environment Courseware Mainframe Legacy Programming Languages CICS Transaction Server Programming DB2 UDB Application Development IMS Application Development WebSphere MQ
Teaching Models and Return on Investment	Distance-learning Training Service	Web-based Training

Budgetary issues aside, three major issues will have to be carefully evaluated in relation to mainframe IT training in the 21st century: 1. The degree of web based access to mainframe data which will be allowed and the critical issue of issue of security. 2. The appropriate strategic mix of proprietary and open source software. 3. How much of the mainframe development should be contracted outside of the United States, be performed by consultants based in the United States as compared to having full-time salaried employees perform the work. SYS-ED offers tailored "entry-level" and "fast-track" mainframe training programs. Standard entry-level training programs consist of four components: z/OS operating system, programming skills, programming language, and system software. These programs have been developed and refined over a quarter century of consultancy and teaching and draw upon the SYS-ED courseware library. Tailored fast-track programs are comprised of course modules selected by the client organization: topics, examples, workshops, validation assessments, and duration. Many clients also elect to incorporate an educational consulting component which reflects their standards and implementation strategy for project development.

Content Delivery Selection

Evolving IT: Interrelated Technologies

There are new web server and web enabling technologies which in many cases will need to be integrated with the existing mainframe systems and enterprise databases.

SYS-ED trained a significant number of the first generation of mainframe DP personnel in the 1980’s. We look forward to the opportunity and challenge of training their successors in the 21st century. Albeit, with a more comprehensive set of delivery mediums in hybrid and interrelated software environments.

Mainframe Training in New York

Footnote 1:

SYS-ED’s core mainframe curriculum has been submitted to the New York State Department of Education - Bureau of Proprietary School Supervision for technical review.