PL/1 Debugging and Advanced Coding

Duration

4 to 5 hours

Overview

Audience

Application programmers who maintain and develop commercial and scientific PL/1 programs.

Prerequisites

Knowledge of programming concepts and experience with mainframe system architecture.

Objectives

After completing this course, the student will be able to identify:
• How to compile and run PL/1 programs
• How to debug a PL/1 program
• How to use the PL/1 Preprocessor
• How to use advanced PL/1 coding techniques

Course Content

Compiling and Running PL/1 Programs

Controlling the Compile Process:
• PROCESS Statement
• JCL PARM Operand
Compiler Listing Options
How to Make Use of the Preprocessor
Preprocessor Statements
The Compilation Process
JCL Required to Compile a Program
Sections of a Compiler Listing
JCL Required to Execute a Program
Passing Program Parameters in JCL

Debugging Your Program

Reasons for Program Errors
Error Handling Routines
Language Environment Services
Compiler Listing Options
Run-time Options
ON Condition Error Handling
Dumps and Their Options
Interactive Debug Tool

PL/1 Preprocessor

Preprocessor Invocation
Preprocessor Statements
Preprocessor Variables
Using the Preprocessor to Generate Code
Using the Preprocessor to Replace Code
Preprocessor Procedures
Preprocessor Built-In Functions

Supplementary Coding Techniques

Allocating and Freeing Storage
Using Locator Qualifiers
Multiple Generation of Storage for BASED Variables
Pointer Usage
DISPLAY and REPLY processing
Controlling Arithmetic Precision
Converting Data Types
PL/1 Internal Sort Routines
E15 and E35 Sort Exits

PL/1 Workshop

Develop a PL/1 Program Using Concepts Previously Discussed
Important Aspects of the Program
Extensive Use of Documentation Areas
Explain Program Flow

PL/1 Preprocessor, Debugging and Advanced Coding Mastery Test