Murach's Mainframe COBOL [Paperback]

Mike Murach (Author), Anne Prince (Author), Raul Menendez (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1890774243 | ISBN-13: 978-1890774240 | Publication Date: August 2004

This is the latest edition of our classic COBOL book that has set the standard for structured design and coding since the mid-1970s. So if you want to learn how to write COBOL programs the way they're written in the best enterprise COBOL shops, this is the book for you. And when you're done learning from this book, it becomes the best reference you'll ever find for use on the job. Throughout the book, you will learn how to use COBOL on IBM mainframes because that's where 90 per cent or more of all COBOL is running. But to work on a mainframe, you need to know more than just the COBOL language. That's why this book also shows you: how to use the ISPF editor for entering programs; how to use TSO/E and JCL to compile and test programs; how to use the AMS utility to work with VSAM files; how to use CICS for developing interactive COBOL programs; how to use DB2 for developing COBOL programs that handle database data; how to maintain legacy programs. If you want to learn COBOL for other platforms, this book will get you off to a good start because COBOL is a standard language. In fact, all of the COBOL that's presented in this book will also run on any other platform that has a COBOL compiler. Remember, though, that billions of lines of mainframe COBOL are currently in use, and those programs will keep programmers busy for many years to come.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"If you are programming on the IBM mainframe platform, you should have this book on your desk. It is THE reference for on-the-job-COBOL programmers.

Product Details

• Paperback: 687 pages
• Publisher: Mike Murach & Associates (August 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1890774243
• ISBN-13: 978-1890774240
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8.1 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #68,647 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mainframe Programmers Reference, September 19, 2004

By 

Michael Spencer "mspencerco" (Denver, CO) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Murach's Mainframe COBOL (Paperback)

As a longtime mainframe programmer I have used Murach books for the times when I need a quick reminder of what COBOL statement to use and how to use it. Mike Murach has recently published a new "Mainframe COBOL" book. The Murach books feature a paired page format that has statement syntax and notes on the right hand page and detailed descriptions on the left hand page. With this format the book is useful for both the "seasoned" programmer and the newbie just getting started in writing structured COBOL programs. A new COBOL programmer can get good detailed instruction on how a structured program is designed coded and tested, the veteran can quickly access information on statement syntax and usage.

This book differs from Murach's "Structured COBOL" offering in that it has no mention of Personal or PC COBOL platforms. Those references have been replaced by chapter (17.) describing mainframe architecture, input/output devices, basic mainframe operating system features and IBM mainframe OS' that are currently used. Another new chapter (19.) gives a brief basic introduction in (AMS) Access Method Services necessary for working with VSAM files.

All in all, this book should be a good starting point for the mainframe COBOL programmer looking for a solid reference for writing batch programs. Programmers needing instruction or reference for CICS and DB2 application development should read the (also brief and basic) chapters on those subjects and then seriously consider investing in Murach's "CICS for the COBOL Programmer" and excellent "CICS Desk Reference" along with their two DB2 manuals. They also have a solid VSAM manual.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Blast from the Past, April 7, 2009

By 

t (Bellevue, WA, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Murach's Mainframe COBOL (Paperback)

I needed to quickly get back up to speed to support a legacy system and found this title the solution to getting there. I'd worked with COBOL before, but that was quite some time ago. Thank goodness there is somebody keeping this knowledge alive and current.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An easy-to-follow guide for anyone learning the ins and outs, September 8, 2004

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Murach's Mainframe COBOL (Paperback)

The collaboration of COBOL experts Mike Murach, Anne Prince, and Raul Menendez, Murach's Mainframe COBOL is a tutorial, guide, and reference especially for anyone charged with developing or maintaining COBOL programs. Explicit examples and sample code spell out COBOL syntax in the clearest possible terms, and much of Murach's Mainframe COBOL is divided into individual sections that teach the reader how to complete any given specific task, such as "how to code select statements and FD statements" or "how to join data from two or more tables". An easy-to-follow guide for anyone learning the ins and outs of COBOL.