Advanced Assembler and Macro Usage

Objectives
On successful completion of this course, attendees will be able to:

• use advanced addressability techniques
• use data management macros
• receive and pass subroutine parameters and process return codes
• utilise the linkage stack
• apply 31 & 64 bit addressing concepts
• write re-entrant code
• use the basic Assembler macro language
• code Binder control statements
• use MVS control blocks in exit routines
• use supervisor services macros
• debug dumps
• produce and invoke ESTAE routines.

Who Should Attend
Systems Programmers and Technical Systems Administrators.
Prerequisites
Prerequisite for this course is attendance on RSM's 'Using z/OS Assembler' course or equivalent experience. It is not mandatory but it would be helpful to have also attended the courses 'z/OS System Fundamentals Part 1 & Part 2'.
Duration
4 days

Course Code
ASAM
Contents
Assembler review
Binary instructions; packed decimal; bit testing; oring; branching; execute instruction; move long.


Addressability
Using CSECTs; DROP directive; multiple base registers; Dummy Sections (DSECTs).


I/O and Data Management
DCB; OPEN macro; GET/PUT; Locate & Move modes.


Intermodule communication
Load module & the VCON; entry points; external references; saving conventions; Call macro; eturn codes; BAKR & PR; task management.


Extended addressability
AMODE & RMODE; 24,31 & 64 bit addressing; BASSM & BSM.


Macro language basics
Main line macro features; defining a macro - rules; passing positional parameters; passing keyword parameters; common system variables; testing fields.


Binder (Linkage editor)
Resolving external references; Relocation Dictionary; weak external references; control statements.


Control blocks
Locate and interpret major MVS control blocks in a dump; finding main control blocks such as PSA, CVT, ASCB, TCB, UCB; use the Data Areas manuals; use macros to define DSECTs (in exits).


Debugging
Abend dump; ABEND macro; SNAP macro; Save Area tracing.


System Services
WAIT; POST; WTL; WTO(R); DOM; TIME; STIMER; TTIMER.


Recovery
ESTAE macro; SDWA; SETRP macro.