The Assembler Connection also provides summary documentation for the problem-state instruction set plus detailed documentation for each of the examples. It is intended to be a reference resource for experienced programmers and a learning resource for programmers that want to become familiar with mainframe assembler programming.
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The WTO macro(Write-To-Operator)is used to display messages upon the console.
provides a suite of sample programs that are written to assemble and link using Assembler/H or High Level Assembler (HLASM) when possible. If a technique is used that is unique to a specific dialect it will be noted. JCL members are provided to run the jobs as MVS batch jobs on an IBM mainframe or within a project using Micro Focus Mainframe Express (MFE) running on a PC with Windows. The 370 Assembler Option for MFE is required to run on the PC.
The latest versions of the SimoTime Documents and Program Suites are available on the Internet and may be accessed using the
Explorethe SQL Connectionfor more examples of how to create, manipulate and delete Relational Data Bases. The COBOL programs are written to compile and execute on a Windows System with SQL Server and Micro Focus Enterprise Server or an IBM Mainframe System with DB2.
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This document was created and is copyrighted and maintained by SimoTime Technologies.
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Explorethe Glossary of Termsfor a list of terms and definitions used in this suite of documents and white papers.
Whether you want to use the Internet to expand into new market segments or as a delivery vehicle for existing business functions or need assistance with converting non-relational data structures simply give us a call at 415 883-6565 or check the web site at
A good place to start isThe SimoTime Home Pagefor access to white papers, program examples and product information. This link requires an Internet Connection
The purpose of this document is to assist as a tutorial for new programmers or as a quick reference for experienced programmers that are interested in the High Level Mainframe Assembler Language (HLASM). Links to additional documents and programming examples are provided.
SimoTime Technologies makes no warranty or representations about the suitability of the software, documentation or learning material for any purpose. It is provided AS IS without any expressed or implied warranty, including the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement. SimoTime Technologies shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, special or consequential damages resulting from the loss of use, data or projects, whether in an action of contract or tort, arising out of or in connection with the use or performance of this software, documentation or training material.
This suite of programs provides an example of how a High Level Assembler (HLASM) program calls a COBOL program. The assembler program is written in IBM Mainframe Assembler, it will compile using Assembler/H or HLASM. A JCL member is provided to run the job as an MVS batch job on an IBM mainframe or as a batch job running on a Windows System with Micro Focus Enterprise Developer.
Explorethe JCL Connectionfor more examples of JCL functionality with programming techniques and sample code.
SIMOTIME Technologies was founded in 1987 and is a privately owned company. We specialize in the creation and deployment of business applications using new or existing technologies and services. We have a team of individuals that understand the broad range of technologies being used in todays environments. Our customers include small businesses using Internet technologies to corporations using very large mainframe systems.
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This is an example of how a COBOL program can call an Assembler program that does bit-level manipulation. The COBOL program is written using the COBOL/2 dialect but also work with COBOL for MVS and COBOL/370. The Assembler program was originally written using the IBM Mainframe Assembler/H and will work with HLASM.
This document provides an introduction to the installation, configuration and usage of the mainframe assembler capability on a Windows System using Micro Focus technology and Enterprise Developer. An Assembler sub-system is created within a larger, Mainframe-Oriented sub-system that executes Batch Jobs using JCL Members.
Briefly describe the mnemonic opcodes for the 370 problem-state, non-floating point instructions and the extended mnemonic opcodes for the branch instructions.
This white paper will describe theProgram Messagesissued by the Assembler Analysis Tool.
Over the years many different approaches or coding techniques have been used to solve both technical and business problems. In todays programming environment some of the approaches or techniques are considered poor coding practices. Some of these techniques were used because of the limitations of the technology at the time. Others were exceedingly clever in their approach and are often difficult to understand and a real challenge to maintain or change. Clarity is usually preferable over cleverness.
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This is a very simple program that sets the return code to zero and returns to the calling program.
The following group of programs will focus on specific 370 Instructions. The programs and documentation will show the physical structure of the machine-language (i.e. 360/370 format) instruction. The Assembler programs have been written to conform to the Assembler/H or High Level Assembler (HLASM) dialects.
Permission to use, copy, modify and distribute this software, documentation or training material for any purpose requires a fee to be paid to SimoTime Technologies. Once the fee is received by SimoTime the latest version of the software, documentation or training material will be delivered and a license will be granted for use within an enterprise, provided the SimoTime copyright notice appear on all copies of the software. The SimoTime name or Logo may not be used in any advertising or publicity pertaining to the use of the software without the written permission of SimoTime Technologies.
This 370 Assembler program provides different techniques for using the SS Format of the Translate (TR) Instruction. The assembler program is written to comply with an IBM Mainframe Assembler dialect. The program will compile using Assembler/H or HLASM. A JCL member is provided as a job script to run as a batch job on an IBM Mainframe System with ZOS or a Windows System with Micro Focus Enterprise Developer.
ExploreThe File Status Return Codesto interpret the results of accessing VSAM data sets and/or QSAM files.
This 370 Assembler program provides different techniques for using the RS Format of the Store Characters under Mask (or STCM) Instruction. The assembler program is written to comply with an IBM Mainframe Assembler dialect. The program will compile using Assembler/H or HLASM. A JCL member is provided as a job script to run as a batch job on an IBM Mainframe System with ZOS or a Windows System with Micro Focus Enterprise Developer.
The primary objective of this program is not in the execution process but in the compile process. Since the reference to the second macro(MACCPYB2.cpy)is stored as a copy file the Micro Focus Assembler must be configured to handle multiple extensions for macro files.
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SIMOX390 is a mainframe Assembler Analysis Tool. This version of SIMOX390 runs on a Windows System and scans mainframe assembler source members that have been downloaded and identifies the macro and copy files used by the programs. This tool should be used in conjunction with a pilot test that would actually assemble, link, and execute a sample test case of an actual application.
This suite of programs provides examples of how a mainframe assembler program calls, loads or links to a mainframe assembler (HLASM) routine.
The following links will require an internet connect.
We have made a significant effort to ensure the documents and software technologies are correct and accurate. We reserve the right to make changes without notice at any time. The function delivered in this version is based upon the enhancement requests from a specific group of users. The intent is to provide changes as the need arises and in a timeframe that is dependent upon the availability of resources.
This document briefly describes themnemonic opcodes for the 370 problem-state, non-floating point instructions.This is a large document (approximately 675K).
ExploreHow to Document Record Layoutsor other Data Structures using a COBOL copy file. For reference or documentation purposes SimoREC1 creates an ASCII/Text file and an HTML document from a COBOL copy file. The utility provides the length of a field and the position of the start of the field within a record. Also, the actual physical length for group items, packed fields, binary fields and tables will be calculated.
Business applications running on an IBM Mainframe System may be written in a variety of programming languages. Some applications have been in production for over twenty-five (25) years. These applications were typically written in COBOL with a few Assembler programs. Over the years the application maintenance was primarily focused on the COBOL programs and the Assembler remained quietly in the background and was rarely modified.
This white paper will describe the usage ofthe Assembler Analysis Tooland the source code scanning process.
This program suite provides an example of how a mainline COBOL program calls a mainframe assembler (HLASM) I/O routine to access a QSAM, sequential file. The COBOL program is written using COBOL/2 dialect but also works with COBOL for MVS and COBOL/370. The assembler IO routine is written in IBM Mainframe Assembler, it will compile using Assembler/H or HLASM.
This section includes links to documents with additional information that are beyond the scope and purpose of this document. The first group of documents may be available from a local system or via an internet connection, the second group of documents will require an internet connection.
Micro Focus provides a functionally rich mainframe assembler emulator with built-in debugging tools that allow a programmer to step through a program executing one line of source code at a time and viewing the results of register and memory content. If a technique is used that is unique to the mainframe and not supported by the Mainframe Express 370 Assembler Option it will be noted. Refer tofor more information.
In the world of programming there are many ways to solve a problem. This document and the links to other documents are intended to provide a greater awareness of the Data Management and Application Processing alternatives.
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The following links may be to the current server or to the Internet.
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User programs that were coded using the IBM Mainframe Assembler Language can be compiled and executed on a Windows System using Micro Focus Technologies. Assembler source members that define user data tables(i.e. non-executable load members)may be compiled and accessed using Micro Focus Technologies or SimoTime Technologies.
This program provides examples of the syntax used to code the mainframe, 370 assembler, problem-state, non-floating-point instructions. The real value is in the animation of this program using Mainframe Express provided by Micro Focus. This program will execute each of the instructions in alphabetic sequence. You can immediately see the results of each instruction execution. This is a very effective way to become familiar with the 370 instruction set.
Explorethe Numbers Connectionfor additional information about the structure and processing of numeric data items(or numeric fields).
This section discusses some of the coding techniques used by mainframe assembler programmers.
The creation and usage of labels within a mainframe assembler program is usually an easy task. One of the challenges in larger programs is to create unique labels. The task of maintaining unique labels presented a bigger problem when using macros that generated code that included branch instructions. There are various techniques used to solve this problem and each has its own advantages and disadvantages.
This 370 Assembler program provides different techniques for using the RX Format of the Subtract Instruction. The assembler program is written in IBM Mainframe Assembler, it will compile using Assembler/H or HLASM. A JCL member is provided to run the job as an MVS batch job on an IBM mainframe or as a project with Micro Focus Mainframe Express (MFE) running on a Windows System.
This document provides a list of the possible informational or error messages that may be issued by the Assembler Analysis Tool during the member scanning and analysis process of the HLASM source code.
The documentation and software were developed and tested on systems that are configured for a SIMOTIME environment based on the hardware, operating systems, user requirements and security requirements. Therefore, adjustments may be needed to execute the jobs and programs when transferred to a system of a different architecture or configuration.
This white paper will describe the usage ofAssembler in an Application Development and Test Environmentwith the Production Environment remaining on the Mainframe System.
If you have any questions, suggestions, comments or feedback please call or send an e-mail to:
When performing a migration of an application from the mainframe(EBCDIC encoded with base, displacement addressing in 24 or 31 bit mode using the big endian format)to a Linux, UNIX or Windows platform(usually ASCII encoded with 32 or 64 bit addressing and little endian format)the Assembler programs create a challenge.
In the CICS environment on the mainframe it was a common practice to use the EXEC CICS LOAD function to load a data table into memory. These data tables were typically created as mainframe assembler source members. The source members were then compiled and linked as non-Executable load members.
ExploreAn Enterprise System Modelthat describes and demonstrates how Applications that were running on a Mainframe System and non-relational data that was located on the Mainframe System were copied and deployed in a Microsoft Windows environment with Micro Focus Enterprise Server.
This program suite provides an example of how a mainline COBOL program calls a mainframe assembler (HLASM) I/O routine to access a VSAM data set. The COBOL program is written using COBOL/2 dialect but also works with COBOL for MVS and COBOL/370. The assembler IO routine is written in IBM Mainframe Assembler, it will compile using Assembler/H or HLASM.
This document provides a quick reference for theextended mnemonic opcodes for the branch instructions.The format of the instruction and generated mask value is provided.
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Note:A SimoTime License is required for the items to be made available on a local system or server.
ExploreThe ASCII and EBCDIC Translation Tables. These tables are provided for individuals that need to better understand the bit structures and differences of the encoding formats.
Preparing the application programs will require the transfer of source members that will be compiled and deployed on the target platform. The data will need to be transferred between the systems and may need to be converted and validated at various stages within the process. SIMOTIME has the technology, services and experience to assist in the application and data management tasks involved with doing business in a multi-system environment.
Quite often, to reach larger markets or provide a higher level of service to existing customers it requires the newer Internet technologies to work in a complementary manner with existing corporate mainframe systems. We specialize in preparing applications and the associated data that are currently residing on a single platform to be distributed across a variety of platforms.
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This example will describe how toCreate a Non-Executable Member from Assembler Source Codefor the Micro Focus Studio and Server environments running in EBCDIC or ASCII by reading the source member and creating a .MOD file.
This white paper will presentInformation and Alternatives for Application Migrationof COBOL-oriented applications(batch or online CICS)with some assembler programs. The target platform may be Linux, UNIX or Windows with Micro Focus Server.
Explorethe COBOL Connectionfor more examples of COBOL programming techniques and sample code.
This section provides a brief description of each of the sample Assembler programs. Also, a link for downloading or accessing detailed information is provided.
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In todays environment companies want the flexibility of moving processing across a variety of platforms and the Assembler programs present a challenge. A process to programmatically scan and analyze the Assembler Source code would be quite helpful in getting off to a faster start.
ExploreThe Micro Focus Web Sitefor more information about products and services available from Micro Focus. This link requires an Internet Connection.
Explorethe non-Relational Data Connectionfor more examples of accessing methodologies and coding techniques for Data Files and VSAM Data Sets.
This suite of programs provides an example of how a COBOL program can call an Assembler program that is a composite link of multiple Assembler members. The primary Assembler program will execute a secondary program using a VCON and Branch. The primary Assembler will load a non-executable member that is a data table.
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SIMOTIME Services has experience in moving or sharing data or application processing across a variety of systems. For additional information about SIMOTIME Services or Technologies please send an e-mail to:r call 415 883-6565. We appreciate hearing from you.
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icon. If a user has a SimoTime Enterprise License the Documents and Program Suites may be available on a local server and accessed using the
Since one of our objectives is to provide information for the maintenance programmer we have included the good, the bad and the ugly. We have tried to note the examples that are considered as poor coding practices or overly clever approaches.