Mainframes are powerful computers used in industries like banking. CHAR has a fixed length, while VARCHAR saves space by adjusting its length. Efficient storage is key in mainframes.

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Let's mainframe!    Distinction between CHAR and VARCHAR data types     CHAR data type has a predetermined maximum length, while VARCHAR data type is a varying length character string.   So, it mea...

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Distinction between CHAR and VARCHAR data types -



CHAR data type has a predetermined maximum length, while VARCHAR data type is a varying length character string. 

So, it means, Char will always have the same length to store the text, but VARCHAR alters its length based on the length of the string which has to be stored, which helps in saving memory. 



The CHAR data type in DB2 stores character data in a fixed-length field. It can store letters, numbers, and other characters which are supported. 

However, VARCHAR data type is a varying-length character string that can contain letters, numbers, and special characters.



#mainframe #db2

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All About Mainframes- Grapevine

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VB (Variable Blocked) file:

There are two types of control information in a VB file-
 1) Block descriptor Word (BDW) and 2) Record descriptor Word (RDW) with the data in a VB file.

There might be several records in one physical block. Each variable length record has a RECORD DESCRIPTOR WORD(RDW). 

 RDW is of 4 bytes. The first 2 bytes store the length of the record.
Each block has a BLOCK DESCRIPTOR WORD(BDW) at the beginning of the block. The BDW is of 4 bytes. The first 2 bytes contain 
the length of the block.

The representation of a VB block file is below-

BDWRDWRECORDRDWRECORDRDWRECORD

That is why when the logical record length of a Variable blocked file is 80 , it is 4 bytes RDW and 76 bytes data.

Let's mainframe!

What is DCLGEN in DB2?

DCLGEN (Declarations generator) are used in the COBOL-DB2 programs that we write. The program should declare the tables and views that it accesses. DCLGEN produces these DECLARE statements so that we do not need to code these statements manually. It also generates corresponding host variable structures. When DCLGEN is used to generate a table declaration, the DB2 uses the DB2 catalog to get the relevant information from it. DCLGEN, then uses this information to create an SQL DECLARE TABLE statement for the table/view.
DCLGEN has SQL DECLARE TABLE statement, the Cobol equivalent variables for columns and NULL indicators too.

Lets' mainframe!

Do you know what DBRM is?

DBRM is Database Request Module and is a component inside DB2, it is created after the pre-compilation of COBOL-DB2 program. This is a module that consists of SQL source statements that get extracted out of the application program. DBRMs form inputs that are used for binding process which creates the executable format of it which is then used during execution of the program

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Questions asked in Mainframe interviews for a mid level experienced candidate-

1. What is checkpoint restart logic and how will you code it in your program?
2. What is file parallel processing in Cobol programs?
3. What is commit logic in programs?
4. Explain the use of Cursor.
5. Explain these abends- -305, -803,-904,-911.
6. What is real time use of GDG concept?
7. INREC FIELD ,INCLUDE COND Sort examples.
8. What is Array and how is it used, what are subscript and index?
9. What are search and search all and how are they coded?
10.Why is version control tool used? (next is how do you deploy a component from dev to prod?)
11.How do u schedule a job using job scheduling tool?
12.What is your daily task and how do u get requirement?
13.Have u worked on a project from end to end?
14.Challenges you faced while delivering a project.
15.Have you interacted with stakeholders?
16.What is SDLC process?
17.Have u ever done estimation of any requirement?
18.Difference between continue and next sentence.
19.Redefines real time examples.

There are more but these are frequently asked questions-

Hope it helps!

Let's Mainframe! Important Interview questions for a Mainframe developer

Enjoy the videos and music that you love, upload original content and share it all with friends, family and the world on YouTube.

 - YouTube

Hoe COND code works in Mainframe!

People working in banks - JPMC, HSBC, Morgan Stanley, BoA, etc : 

What tech stack are you using  predominantly for backend?

Are you using on-premise or VPC for storing data? 

What version control are you using?

You might be having custom software for core banking, but what kind of wrapper are you using over it?

I work in a financial services company that makes software for banks so wanted to know if the stack is similar. ( not panning a hack 😂 )

Stack used in banks?

What is a SUBSCRIPT in Mainframe?

Subscript:

A subscript is an integer value that indicates the position of an element in an Array(table).
It can be defined in working-storage section with PIC S9(4) COMP.
It's an integer that indicates the occurrence number in an array.

Example: If you have a table which is defined as 

01 WS-ARRAY OCCURS 100 TIMES, then the first element can be accessed by using WS-ARRAY (1).

Example:

DATA DIVISION.
WORKING-STORAGE SECTION.
01 WS-SUBSCRPT PIC S9(4) COMP.
01 WS-ARRAY.
02 WS-ELEMENT PIC X(5) OCCURS 10 TIMES.
PROCEDURE DIVISION.
MOVE 5 to WS-SUBSCRPT.
ADD 2 TO WS-SUBSCRPT.
MOVE ‘ABCDE’ TO WS-ELEMENT(WS-SUBSCRPT).

This will move ‘ABCDE’ to element number 7.

As a college student I currently have 2 options. Whether to learn mainframe technologies as a part of the subject very wisely so I can apply in companies like BMC and IBM or shall I stick with DSA practicing. Enlighten me in areas of scope, advancement and salary.

Is learning mainframe technologies good or shall I stick to DSA?

Hi all,

Wanted to know the size of database in your respective orgs and choice of db. Also pls mention any challanges faced while scaling it

Mine 
Main db around 3 terra bytes ( no sharding so on a single node with replication)
Choice of db maria db

Size of database and choice of databse

Senior Software Engineer

I was comparing companies, for me to compare, the first in the list is to compare these two.

Let me know what are the aspects in which one is better than other

Is IBM better than Dell, if yes then in what aspects

Job Accounting information usually defines a person or department to whom processor time is billed for mainframe job execution.

This value varies from project to project and company to company. It totally depends on the guidelines set by the company.



This accounting information value is generally a number, but it may consist of multiple pieces of information and not just a single 

as it is set as per company guidelines. Its value depends on that. The accounting information is passed on the JOB statement, not the EXEC statement.





Below are a few examples--



Example 1:



//JOB1 JOB A123-1212



Example 2:



//JOB2 JOB (A123-1212,'11/12/99')

So this happened with me, HR called me if i am interested in Job, I said yes and provided my expected CTC and current CTC. based on that they took my Technical Round which i cleared comfortably. Now in Manager round, the manager said they cannot provide me with my expected CTC and will proceed with HR round only if i am open to negotiation. Whats the use of asking Expected CTC at start if you are not ready to support that salary. Why is manager concerned with salary discussion ? Are HR dead in IBM ?

Whats wrong with IBM

Senior Consultant

I gave a test for backend dev months back. Test was on hacker rank and went fine. The status is still in review stage. Is IBM not in good shape rn?
What could be reasons.

What’s up with IBM

I am a mainframe developer with 10 years experience and have an offer from both TCS (25 lpa) and Capgemini (28 lpa). 
Which one could be a better choice overall, and not just monetary?

TCS or Capgemini?

Let's Mainframe!



JOBLIB is a DD statement which is a user defined library (we can code many) at job level where load modules of the programs called in the JCL should reside. The JOBLIB should be coded between the Job card and the first EXEC statement. The statement applies to all the steps of the entire job.



However, STEPLIB is coded in each step of the JCL where the load module of that particular program is expected to be present. 

It always applies to only that step of the JCL where it is coded and not the whole job. 

This can be used at any step in the job and also it can be coded in catalogued procedures.



If both STEPLIB and JOBLIB are coded in a JCL, then STEPLIB gets precedence over JOBLIB.



#jcl #mainframe

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