Structured COBOL Programming

Nancy Stern Hofstra University Robert A. Stern

Copyright @ 2000 John Wiley & Sons, In. All rights reserved. Reproduction or translation of this work beyond that permitted in Section 117 of the 1976 United States Copyright Act without the express permission of the copyright owner is unlawful. Request for further information should be addressed to the permissions Department , John Wil y & Sons, Inc. The purchaser may make back-up copies for his/her own use only and not for distribution or resal e. The Publisher assumes no responsibility for errors, omissions, or damages, caused by the use of these programs or from the use of the information contained herein.

Nassau Community College

PowerPoint Presentation: Richard H. Baum, Ph.D.
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9th Edition

Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION TO STRUCTURED PROGRAM DESIGN IN COBOL

Structured COBOL Programming, Stern & Stern, 9th edition

CHAPTER 1 OBJECTIVES
To familiarize you with: 1. The reasons for COBOLs popularity as a business-oriented language. 2. Some general programming practices and techniques. 3. A history of COBOLs evolution and its current ANS version. 4. An overview of the four divisions of a COBOL program.
Structured COBOL Programming, Stern & Stern, 9th edition

CONTENTS
COMPUTER PROGRAMMING: AN OVERVIEW
Types of Computer Programs Applications Programs Machine Language Programs Symbolic Programs

COMPUTER PROGRAMMING: AN OVERVIEW

Types of Computer Programs Applications Programs
Structured COBOL Programming, Stern & Stern, 9th edition

CONTENTS
Machine Language Programs Symbolic Programs

THE APPLICATIONS PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT PROCESS

Determine Program Specifications Design the Program Using Program Planning Tools Code and Enter the Program Compile the Source Program Test the Program Document the Program
Structured COBOL Programming, Stern & Stern, 9th edition

CONTENTS
THE NATURE OF COBOL
COBOL Is a Business-Oriented Language COBOL Is a Standard Language COBOL Is an English-like Language COBOL Is a User-friendly Language

A HISTORY OF COBOL AND THE ANS VERSIONS

When it Began The American National Standards (ANS) Versions of COBOL
Structured COBOL Programming, Stern & Stern, 9th edition

CONTENTS
The Future of COBOL and the Year 2000 Problem

TECHNIQUES FOR IMPROVING PROGRAM DESIGN

Structured Programming Using Modular Design for Coding Paragraphs The Top-Down for Approach Coding Modules

ENTERING & RUNNING A COBOL PROGRAM ON YOUR COMPUTER

Mainframe Minicomputer Structured COBOL Programming, Stern & Stern, 9th edition PC COBOL

COMPUTER PROGRAMMING: AN OVERVIEW

Structured COBOL Programming, Stern & Stern, 9th edition

Types of Computer Programs

A program is a set of instructions that enable a computer to process data. Software is the term used to describe all types of programs. An application program converts input data to output information.

Structured COBOL Programming, Stern & Stern, 9th edition

Two types of computer programs:

1. Operating Systems Programs
Control the overall operations of the computer

2. Applications Programs
Written by Programmers or Software Developers Programs that perform tasks required by users
Structured COBOL Programming, Stern & Stern, 9th edition

Types of Computer Programs

COBOL is one of the many languages used to write customized applications programs.

Structured COBOL Programming, Stern & Stern, 9th edition

Applications Programs

Interactive vs. Batch Processing

Interactive applications typically accept input data from a PC, workstation, or terminal. Batch Processing applications process large volumes of input at periodic intervals.
Structured COBOL Programming, Stern & Stern, 9th edition

Applications Programs
Applications programs that are written for a specific user are called customized programs. Programs that are relatively standard are application packages that might be purchased.

Structured COBOL Programming, Stern & Stern, 9th edition

Machine Language Programs

All programs executed by the computer must be in machine language.

Structured COBOL Programming, Stern & Stern, 9th edition

Symbolic Programs
Symbolic Programs use English-like or symbolic instructions.
These programs must be translated or compiled into machine language. COBOL is a symbolic programming language used for commercial applications.
Structured COBOL Programming, Stern & Stern, 9th edition

THE APPLICATIONS PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT PROCESS

PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT PROCESS

1. Determine Program Specifications
Program Specifications consist of the following:
Record layout forms to describe the input and output Printer spacing charts for printed output
Structured COBOL Programming, Stern & Stern, 9th edition

PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT PROCESS

2. Design the Program Using Program Planning Tools using Common Tools:
Flowcharts
A block diagram providing a pictorial representation of the logic to be used in a program

Pseudocode
English-like expressions to depict the logic of the program

Hierarchy Charts
Charts showing relationships among Structured COBOL Programming, Stern & Stern, 9th edition sections in a program

PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT PROCESS

3. Code and Enter the Program
The programmer writes and then keys or enters the source program into the computer system using a keyboard.

4. Compile the Program

The COBOL compiler checks the source code to insure there are no rule violations. A syntax error is a type of error that is found if a programming rule is Structured COBOL Programming, Stern & Stern, 9th edition violated.

PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT PROCESS

5. Test the Program
Programs are tested or debugged to ensure they have no errors. A logic error is a type of error that the programmer may find only when the program is tested with sample or test data.

6. Document the Program

Procedure manuals for users and computer operators, called documentation, is prepared for use by the operating staff for regular production.
Structured COBOL Programming, Stern & Stern, 9th edition

PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT PROCESS

Remember, coding is undertaken only after the program requirements have been fully specified and the logic has been carefully planned.

Structured COBOL Programming, Stern & Stern, 9th edition

DEBUGGING TECHNIQUES
Desk Checking
Reviewing the program before and after keying

Correcting Syntax Errors

Using the printed source list of the diagnostic messages to find and correct the errors

Structured COBOL Programming, Stern & Stern, 9th edition

DEBUGGING TECHNIQUES
Program Walkthroughs
Manually stepping through the program with test data.

Detecting Logic Errors by Executing the Program

Often the most difficult part of debugging. The preparation of test data is an extremely critical aspect of debugging.
Structured COBOL Programming, Stern & Stern, 9th edition

THE NATURE OF COBOL

COBOL is a Business-Oriented Language
COBOL, is one of the most widespread commercial applications languages in use today. COBOL is an abbreviation for CO mmon B usiness O riented L anguage,

COBOL is a Standard Language

COBOL is a common programming Structured COBOL Programming, Stern & Stern, on most language available 9th edition

THE NATURE OF COBOL

COBOL is an English-like Language
All instructions can be coded using English words. The rules conform to many rules for writing in English

COBOL is a User-Friendly Language

Because users are able to understand the English-like instructions it is considered a Structured COBOL Programming,language. user-friendly Stern & Stern, 9th edition

A HISTORY OF COBOL AND THE ANS VERSIONS

Structured COBOL Programming, Stern & Stern, 9th edition

WHEN IT BEGAN
Developed in 1959 by the CODASYL Committee.
A committee consisting of representatives members from academia, user groups, and computer manufacturers.

Developed as a standard businessoriented language for which all major manufacturers would provide compilers. ANS established the first standards version in 1968.& Stern, 9th edition Structured COBOL Programming, Stern

WEB SITE
The Internet site http://www.ansi.org includes COBOL 2000+ updates

Structured COBOL Programming, Stern & Stern, 9th edition

THE FUTURE OF COBOL

COBOL is likely to remain an important language in the years ahead for two reasons: 1. Older, mainframe-based legacy systems will need to be maintained by maintenance programmers who know COBOL. 2. COBOL is still being used by many organizations for new application development.
Structured COBOL Programming, Stern & Stern, 9th edition

The Year 2000 Problem: the Y2K Millenium Bug

Traditional two-digit coded dates will not work for the year 2000. Billions of lines of code will need to be changed. Y2K adjustment coding will increase the need for COBOL programmers
An estimated $600 billion, or more, dollars will be invested to fix this Structured COBOL Programming, Stern & Stern, 9th edition problem.

QUESTIONS?!

Structured COBOL Programming, Stern & Stern, 9th edition

SELF-TEST QUESTIONS
1. A program must be in _________ language to be executed or run.

Solution: machine

Structured COBOL Programming, Stern & Stern, 9th edition

SELF-TEST QUESTIONS
2. Programs are typically written in a _______ language rather than in machine language because __________.

Solution: symbolic; machine languages are very complex

Structured COBOL Programming, Stern & Stern, 9th edition

SELF-TEST QUESTIONS
3. Programs written in a language other than machine language must be _______ before execution can occur.

Solution: translated or compiled

Structured COBOL Programming, Stern & Stern, 9th edition

SELF-TEST QUESTIONS
4. The process of converting a source program into machine language is called ___________.

Solution: compilation or translation

Structured COBOL Programming, Stern & Stern, 9th edition

SELF-TEST QUESTIONS
5. The program written in a programming language such as COBOL is called the ________ program.

Solution: source or applications

Structured COBOL Programming, Stern & Stern, 9th edition

SELF-TEST QUESTIONS
6. The object program is the _______.

Solution: set of instructions that has been converted into machine language

Structured COBOL Programming, Stern & Stern, 9th edition

SELF-TEST QUESTIONS
7. A ______ converts a source program into a(n)_____ program.

Solution: compiler or translator program: object or machine language

Structured COBOL Programming, Stern & Stern, 9th edition

SELF-TEST QUESTIONS
8. The errors that are detected during compilation denote ______; they are usually referred to as ________ errors.

Solution: any violation of programming rules in the use of the symbolic programming language; syntax
Structured COBOL Programming, Stern & Stern, 9th edition

SELF-TEST QUESTIONS
9. Before executing a program with test data, the logic of the program can be checked manually using a technique called a ____________.

Solution: program walkthrough

Structured COBOL Programming, Stern & Stern, 9th edition

SELF-TEST QUESTIONS
10. COBOL is an abbreviation

for _________.

Solution: Common Business Oriented Language

Structured COBOL Programming, Stern & Stern, 9th edition

SELF-TEST QUESTIONS
11. COBOL is a common language in the sense that ______.

Solution: it can be used on many computers

Structured COBOL Programming, Stern & Stern, 9th edition

SELF-TEST QUESTIONS
12. (T or F) COBOL is ideally suited for scientific as well as business problems.

Solution: F--it is ideally suited for business applications

Structured COBOL Programming, Stern & Stern, 9th edition

SELF-TEST QUESTIONS
13. Y2K is an abbreviation for the __________ Problem.

Solution: the Year 2000

Structured COBOL Programming, Stern & Stern, 9th edition

SELF-TEST QUESTIONS
14. True or False In recent years, more COBOL programmers have been hired to help resolve the Millenium bug.

Solution: True

Structured COBOL Programming, Stern & Stern, 9th edition

SELF-TEST QUESTIONS
15. True or False The Y2K Problem has occurred because older programs used twodigit year codes rather than fourdigit year codes in order to save space on files (e.g., 98 was used for 1998).

Solution: True
Structured COBOL Programming, Stern & Stern, 9th edition

TECHNIQUES FOR IMPROVING PROGRAM DESIGN

Structured COBOL Programming, Stern & Stern, 9th edition

Structured Programming Using Modular Design for Coding Paragraphs

The most important technique for improving the design of a program in any language is called structured programming. Structured Programming is a technique using logical control constructs that make programs easier to read, debug, and modify if changes are required.
Structured COBOL Programming, Stern & Stern, 9th edition

Structured Programming Using Modular Design for Coding Paragraphs

Structured programming is often called GO-TO-less programming since programmatic branches do not use GO TO statements. In COBOL this means writing programs using PERFORM statements
Structured COBOL Programming, Stern & Stern, 9th edition

Structured Programming Using Modular Design for Coding Paragraphs

The typical structured program is divided into paragraphs or modules, where a main module calls in other modules as needed.
Each module can be tested independently.
Paragraph, routine, module are used interchangeably
Structured COBOL Programming, Stern & Stern, 9th edition

The Top-Down Approach for Coding Modules

Proper design is best achieved by developing major modules before minor ones. Main routines are coded first and are followed by intermediate routines and then minor ones.

Structured COBOL Programming, Stern & Stern, 9th edition

The Top-Down Approach

Coding using the top-down manner gives the primary attention to the origination of the program. Details are deferred or saved for minor modules, which are coded last.

Structured COBOL Programming, Stern & Stern, 9th edition

A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF PROGRAM PLANNING TOOLS

Structured COBOL Programming, Stern & Stern, 9th edition

GENERAL RULES FOR FLOW CHARTS

1. Each flowchart symbol denotes a specific operation. 2. Each symbol contains a note describing a particular function. 3. Flowcharts are read top to bottom.

Structured COBOL Programming, Stern & Stern, 9th edition

RULES FOR INTERPRETING PSEUDOCODE

1. A pseudocode begins with a START and ends with a STOP. 2. All instructions are read in sequence. 3. The instructions between the: PERFORM...END-PERFORM are executed repeatedly UNTIL there are no more records to process.
Structured COBOL Programming, Stern & Stern, 9th edition

HIERARCHY OR STRUCTURE CHART

Structure charts illustrate the logic flow in a program.
The following chart shows the relationships among modules in a program:

100-MAIN MODULE

200 -WAGE ROUTINE

Structured COBOL Programming, Stern & Stern, 9th edition

CHAPTER SLIDES END HERE CHAPTER SUMMARY COMES NEXT

Structured COBOL Programming, Stern & Stern, 9th edition

CHAPTER SUMMARY
A. The Nature of COBOL 1. It is the most widespread commercial programming language in use today. 2. COBOL is the abbreviation for Common Business Oriented Language. 3. It is an English-like language. 4. The American National Standards (ANS) versions of Structured COBOL Programming, Stern & Stern, 9th edition COBOL are 1968, 1974, and

SUMMARY
B. Program Preparation and Debugging 1. Get program specifications from the analyst or prepare them yourself. 2. Use planning tools--flowcharts, pseudocode, hierarchy charts--for program design. 3. Compile the program and fix syntax errors. 4. Code the program.
Structured COBOL Programming,program 5. Test the Stern & Stern, 9th edition using

SUMMARY
C. Techniques for Improving Program Design 1. Structured Programming a. Referred to as GO-TO-less programming b. Structured programs are subdivided into modules or paragraphs. 2. Top-Down Programming a. Major modules are coded before minorStern, 9th edition ones. Structured COBOL Programming, Stern &

SUMMARY
D. The COBOL Divisions Identification Division a. Identifies the program to the computer system. b. May provide some documentation as well. c. PROGRAM-ID is the only required entry. Environment Division
Assigns a file-name to each file used. Specifies the device that the file will
Structured COBOL Programming, Stern & Stern, 9th edition

SUMMARY

Data Division a. Defines & describes all input, output & work area b. File-Section (1) Each file-name is described in an FD. (2) Each record format within every file is an 01 entry. (3) Record fields are described with a PICTURE clause that specifies the size & type.

c. Working-Storageedition Structured COBOL Programming, Stern & Stern, 9th Section

SUMMARY
COBOL DIVISIONS

Procedure Division
a. Subdivided into paragraphs or modules. b. Includes all instructions to process input and produce output. c. All instructions are executed sequence.
PERFORM...UNTIL... ENDPERFORM is a loop. Structured COBOL Programming, Stern & Stern, 9th edition

SUMMARY
d. Main-module entries: The following are typical entries in a main module:
(1) Files are either INPUT or OUTPUT and activated in an OPEN statement. (2) A PERFORM...END-PERFORM is a loop that is executed until there are no more records.
Structured COBOL Programming, Stern & Stern, 9th edition

SUMMARY
Main-module entries (continued):
(3) Within the PERFORM we code a READ...AT END...NOT AT END END-READ. (4) A CLOSE statement deactivates all files. (5) STOP RUN ends processing.

Structured COBOL Programming, Stern & Stern, 9th edition

SUMMARY
e. Calculation or processing paragraphs
(1) These paragraphs are executed when a statement in the main module specifies a PERFORM paragraph name. (2) These paragraphs are required to process each input record.

Structured COBOL Programming, Stern & Stern, 9th edition