Advanced Assembler Language Coding Workshop

This course provides instruction and practice in the use of the more complex S/390 Assembler Language facilities for the experienced assembler language programmer. The course includes a discussion of standard linkage conventions, use of BSAM/QSAM and selected system macros, the macro definition language, and reentrant coding considerations.

Emphasis is placed on enhancing skills in problem resolution through analysis of more complex system-provided dumps.

This course is designed for application programmers and beginning system programmers who code, maintain, and debug application support programs or subroutines written in S/390 assembler language.

You should be able to:

• Code and debug simple S/390 assembler language programs

• Identify data management considerations and access methods
• Code assembler language programs which:
  • Conform to standard linkage conventions using save area chaining
  • Define and use BSAM/QSAM datasets through standard I/O macros
• Define and execute user macros which contain:
  • Positional and/or keyword parameters
  • Fixed or variable entry parameter lists
  • Conditional assembly logic
• Use variable length storage operations (that is, EX, MVCL, and so on)
• Employ more complex instructions (that is, TR, TRT, BXLE, and so on)
• Access JCL parameter data
• Employ LE date/time handling services
• Identify reentrant coding considerations and dynamic storage acquisition

Day 1

• (00:15) Welcome
• (01:00) Unit 1: Review
• (00:15) Unit 2: Assembler instructions
• (01:45) Unit 3: Linkage
• (01:30) Unit 4: LE date/time handling
• (02:30) Exercise 1: PARM handling and search

Day 2

• (00:15) Lab review
• (03:00) Unit 5: Access methods: BSAM/QSAM
• (03:00) Exercise 2: File handling

Day 3

• (00:15) Lab review
• (00:30) Unit 6: Assembler compile-time options
• (00:30) Unit 7: SNAP dumps
• (03:30) Unit 8: Macros and the Conditional Assembly Language
• (02:30) Exercise 3: Macro modification

Day 4

• (00:25) Lab review
• (01:15) Unit 9: Miscellaneous instructions
• (00:25) Unit 10: Floating point data
• (00:25) Unit 11: Reentrant coding
• (00:15) Class wrap-up