Excalibur Training Services Ltd

Excalibur Training Services: Programming

Please select programming language for further details.

*DL/1 Programming *PL/1 Programming *Structured Programming *Advanced Structured Programming


DL/1 Programming

This course is designed to give a good theoretical knowledge of IMS DL/1, and affords those attending the opportunity to try out most of the DL/1 commands taught. Covering three days (although a longer course is available for those with no or little previous programming experience) all the major aspects of IMS and DL/1 data bases will be explored.

Introduction Data base concepts; Objectives of the DL/1 data base; Control blocks used
Structures Hierarchical structures; Physical and logical views
Program Considerations JCL requirements; The call to DL/1; Considerations for the Linkage Section
Retrieving Records Sequential and direct access; Qualified and unqualified SSA's; Status codes returned
Updating the Data Base Holding the segment; Inserting; Replacing; Deleting
Advanced Features Command codes; Secondary indexing; Single and multiple positioning


PL/1 Programming

A one week course design to give programmers with at least six months experience of another programming language a thorough understanding of the structure and use of PL/1. A significant amount of practical work is to be run on the computer enables those attending to put into practice the designing, coding and testing of efficient PL/1 programs.

Language Components Syntax; Coding conventions; Defining data records
Files and Data areas File declarations; Record definitions; Open; Close; Read; Write
PL/1 Statements arithmetic functions; Data manipulation; Array handling
Program Structure Implementing and controlling loops; Subroutines; Good practices
Program Linkage Standard conventions; Calling program; Called program; Passing parameters
Debugging PL/1 and Linkage Editor listings; PL/1 debugging features; Save areas; PLIDUMP


Structured Programming

A careful balance of theory and practical work ensures that programmers and analysts in either COBOL, Assembler or PL/1 will be able to design correctly structured programs on completion of this three day course.

Concepts of Structured Program Design
The 5 Step Approach
Basic Structures Sequence; Selection; iteration etc.
Basic Design Techniques
Program Structures Forming; Verifying; List and Allocate functions; Read ahead principle
Implementation Schematic logic; coding the program
Applications file processing;Sequential update
Error Handling


Advanced Structured Programming

This course follows up the basic course and some practical experience in using the technique is desirable. Over the three days course the student will learn how to identify and resolve complex problems by using advanced techniques and correct designs.

Limitations of Basic Constructs
Multiple read Ahead; Complex Data Structures
Backtracking Concepts and constructs; Posit, admit and quit.
Structure Clashes Identifying; types; resolving
Inversion concept of inverted programs; Main and sub programs; Link editing
Implementation Schematic logic; coding in COBOL, PL/1 or Assembler
Optimisation Rules; Benefits; disadvantages
On-line Program Design
Problem Solving


*DL/1 Programming *PL/1 Programming *Structured Programming *Advanced Structured Programming

Please see our further information page for more details or call +44(0)1206 240647 to book any of these courses