The COBOL Center Bookstore : Book Reviews

The COBOL Center Bookstore > Book Reviews

Murach's OS/390 and z/OS JCL : Raul Menendez and Doug Lowe

This new 500 plus page book by Menendez and Doug Low is a must read for anyone who must work with IBM mainframe computers. The skill to work with JCL and mainframe utility programs is what separates the novice from the professional in the mainframe arena. Easy to read syntax and examples support the discussion of each topic.

The book starts with the basic topics of ISPF and JCL. It then moves forward with data sets, tape data, and job restarting. This information has been updated for the latest releases of mainframe operating systems.

There is a major section on VSAM data management. This section shows how VSAM works. It also shows how to JCL and the VSAM AMS utility. VSAM is a major technique used to organize datasets on the mainframe for COBOL access.

Finally the book provides an overview of a number of useful tools including: OS/390 utility programs, sort merge, TSO CLIST and REXX. These tools can help you to get work done quickly without creating COBOL programs.

With some practice and the insight from this book, you can become known as an expert mainframe professional. This is a way to go beyond COBOL programming.

Murach's CICS for the COBOL Programmer : Raul Menendez, Doug Lowe

This new book by Raul Menendez and Doug Lowe is an improvement on the classic 2 volume Murach CICS books. The material is current and addresses topics such as web programming and new CICS features. It provides basic material for beginners as well as advanced material for experienced professionals. The book provides tutorials, detailed examples, and reference materials. Tutorials show how to get tasks done. Examples reinforce the tutorials and show how to combine techniques for real world results. Reference materials enable look up command syntax. Information is presented in a "paired page" format that makes it very easy to use.

This 630 plus page book leads the reader from basic to advanced topics. The first five chapters provide key concepts and show the reader how to design, code, and test CICS applications. After that, detailed tutorials show example programs and systems. Topics are self contained so that the reader can make use of specialized topics right away - such as the HANDLE AID command. The book includes instruction on data access - both file / VSAM access and DB2 access. Additional topics include: new CICS features, storage control, debugging, web programming and interprocess communications.

If you are want to learn CICS or update your CICS knowledge this book is excellent.

Murach's Beginning Java 2 : Andrea Steelman

This new 700 plus page book by Andrea Steelman is aimed at the programmer who needs to get a handle on Java 2 from basic to advanced topics. The first ten chapters provide key concepts and show the reader how to design, code, and test Java 2 applications. The start of the book shows how to install and run Java. It includes a CDROM that contains example code and the Java 2 SDK to enable learning by doing. After that, the Java language is explored step by step. Easy to read syntax and examples support the discussion of each topic. I found this book to be better organized and easier to learn from than other beginning Java books.

The reader is introduced to object oriented programming and then given examples and exercises that show the power of the OO approach. It becomes clear that Java is more than a language syntax. It a method of building applications using predefined and user written class libraries.

The end of the book contains more advanced topics. It includes instruction on data access - both file access and JDBC for database access. Additional topics are: GUI development using Swing, applets, and threads.

If you are want to learn Java 2 through a practical approach, this book is very useful. After completing this book you are ready for professional Java development assignments.

Murach's CICS for the COBOL Programmer : Raul Menendez, Doug Lowe

If you are want to learn CICS or update your CICS knowledge this book is excellent.

Murach's Structured Cobol : Mike Murach, Anne Prince, Raul Menendez

Murach's Strucutred COBOL is an excellent book for both beginning and professional COBOL programmers. The beginning programmer will learn through step by step instructions and detailed well laid out examples. The professional programmer will have a detailed desk reference to maximize the benefits to be gained using COBOL.

This 760 plus page book is filled with practical, real world examples. The reader will learn techniques including: indexed file maintenance, sequential file update, pre-2000 date handling, table handling, report creation, and structured programming. While much of the code is generic, adaptible to any COBOL, much of it is oriented to mainframe computing.

The book includes mainframe how to instructions. It shows how to use ISPF and SDSF to edit, compile, and debug COBOL programs. CICS programming is covered as well as DB2 database access.

If you are looking for an excellent all around COBOL book, Murach's Structured COBOL is a very good choice.