Murach's OS/390 and z/OS JCL: Complete Computer Mainframe Programming Guide with System Tools, VSAM Data Management & JCL Training for IBM System Programming - Professional Reference Book

My job requires me to write scripts on Windows and Unix platforms. I have no problem writing Windows batch files or Unix shell scripts to copy or move files, change permissions, create and delete directories, write results to log files, etc. Recently, I was asked to write a mainframe script. I was told to write this script in Rexx. When I looked into Rexx, it was just another scripting language. It was not hard to understand how it worked. However, unlike Windows batch files or Unix shell scripts, there was more to writing a Rexx program than just knowing the Rexx language - I needed JCL to run it!! I had seen JCL before. I knew each job started with a JOB card and that it executed PROCs and PGMs. I also knew that I did not know nearly enough about JCL to write JCL to do what I wanted it to do. That's when I went to Amazon and found this book. Not only did this book confirm what little I did know and correct some misundertandings I had, it went far more deeply into JCL to describe how to use many features that I did not know existed. One of the best features of this book is that it provides some background information on how mainframes work and the naming conventions used. This information is useful when JCL coding is introduced because the reader has a better idea of what the JCL is used for and what it happening with the various statements. JCL coding is not even introduced until Chapter 4!! After the background information, this book then goes through the various aspects of JCL coding. The basics of what I needed to know to run my Rexx program were addressed as were many concepts that I can now put in my "bag of tricks" for future projects. I am sure most of our mainframe programmers do not know most of this material. This book is not limited to JCL. It also describes how to compile Cobol programs, how to copy, move, sort, delete and print datasets using common mainframe utilities. It even has a chapter on Unix System Services. Prior to reading these chapters, I had no idea how to copy a dataset to a new dataset on the mainframe using a batch program. For me, this was a trivial issue on a Windows or Unix platform. I now know how to do it on the mainframe. This book clearly explains the process. It also provides coding examples for all concepts described throughout the book. If you are new to computing, I don't think you want to start with the mainframe as the first platform you learn. However, if you have some computing background from working with Windows and Unix, then I highly recommend this book to get a solid foundation on how to run batch programs on the mainframe. In the past, I had to ask a coworker to help me when I needed to work with JCL. I purchased this book so that I could code some JCL for myself to run my Rexx program. Now, not only does my Rexx program execute flawlessly, I also have a thorough understanding of how to write mainframe batch programs for future projects. Who knows, maybe my coworkers will start coming to me with their complex JCL coding problems!!

Covers everything from beginning jcl, the structure of a jcl job. (steps etc). Very good section on using IBM utilities for allocating PDS's and PS's. The section on using for compiling and linking application programs is valuable concentrating mostly on COBOL. Shows the different methods of Compile, Compile and Go, Compile Link and Compile link and GO. The section on VSAM covers allocating VSAM clusters and populating from QSAM. Fairly complete section on TSO. My only beef with the book is that there aren't any working examples. I am constantly going back to this book to figure out how to code many different jcl problems.

Book arrived quickly and in good condition.

Its long but it has to be. The book is old and used - I wish I could have brought it new.

We still use Mainframes where I work, and are always trying to find a new way to "skin a cat". This book has helped me a number of times to do just that. Murach is always informative, though at times wordy, but the examples are good, and you can't beat it when you need to pick up the pace. I wish they put out more of those mini desk references,like they used to, as they were even more help, but this is a great book on JCL.

If you need an excellent medium depth overview of this topic either for review or introduction, this book is your best source.

Murach is the standard for anything mainframe. Great reference book to have around when you get stuck or for someone new to mainframe and jcl.

There aren't that many resources for the mainframe anymore. This is a great help to teach from.

Excellent book very useful.

Clear and comprehensive with good examples and explanation. The paired pages format works well with general information about a topic on the left hand page and key points on the right. An excellent guide and reference.

Llegó dos días antes de lo esperado y en buenas condiciones

Exactement ce que je cherchais. Un livre avec les informations récentes pour le mainframe et le z/os.

Hervorragendes Buch, an deutschsprachiger Literatur gibt es wohl nichts Vergleichbares zu diesem Thema. Der Typ kennt sich aus, Buch kann ich nur weiterempfehlen !