Murach's Mainframe COBOL (Paperback)

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

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 Description
This has been the number 1 best-selling COBOL book for professional programmers since its first edition in 1979. It is the only book that shows how to design, code, test, and maintain structured COBOL programs on the IBM mainframes (or enterprise systems) that are used by the largest companies in the world. Besides COBOL, this book presents the IBM products that every mainframe programmer needs to know including TSO, ISPF, OS/390 JCL, VSAM Access Method Services, CICS, and DB2.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 687 pages
• Publisher: Mike Murach & Associates (August 31, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1890774243
• ISBN-13: 978-1890774240
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 8 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #149,203 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 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)

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 Those references have been replaced by chapter (17.)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.

2 of 2 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

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.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

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

By	Charles E. Mcknight - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.