What is Language Environment (LE) in Mainframe

If a program want to invoke another program, then both the programs should run within the same run time environment. That way memory acquired by main program can be accessed by sub-program and vice-versa, and if the sub-program generates any exception, the main program would be able to intercept that exception and proceed accordingly.

In PC, we cannot invoke a VB program from C program and vice versa. Both the languages follow their own convention to pass arguments, they have their own run time environment which handles the memory management, exception handling and built-in functions. Because of this inconsistent run time environment in PC, you can not invoke a program coded in one language from a program coded in another language.

But in mainframe, we have common run environment for all the languages. We call this common run environment as Language environment (LE). All the compilers in mainframe, generates LE compatible load modules. LE is an element of the mainframe operation system. Because of LE, a COBOL program can invoke a Assembler program just like any other COBOL program. Similarly a FORTRAN program can invoke a PL/I program. All the high level language programs runs on the top of LE.

LE provides a robust platform to develop applications. A COBOL program can invoke an Assembler program and make use of the best features of Assembler language and thus languages can complement each other. In addition, programmers with various language skills, could work together to build applications with component programs written in a variety of languages.

Since library routines are common, the applications behave consistently and predictably.

Difference between empty dataset and DUMMY

Is there any difference in processing, when you use an empty VSAM dataset, and when you DUMMY it out ?    
                         
Apparently,  Yes, there are a few differences :

                        <-------------- FILE STATUS ------------->
                        Open   Start  Readnext  Read  Write  Close
                        ----    ----  -------   ----   ----   ----
1. Non-empty VSAM dataset 00      00    00        23     00     00
2. Empty VSAM dataset     00      23    NA        23     00     00
3. DUMMY                  00      00    10        23     00     00 

Note : A few assumptions have been made here : 
    a. The key with which we read(or write), is NOT available in the non-empty dataset (and is not > the last key in file !) 
       - Hence the START and READNEXT are successful, but READ fails.
    b. READNEXT need NOT be performed if START itself fails
       - Hence the "NA" for the READNEXT of the empty dataset.
    c. The empty VSAM dataset has been primed.
       - Otherwise the OPEN would have failed for it.


Points to Observe :
    A. The Empty dataset returns file status 23 for START (RECORD NOT FOUND), while the dummied out file returns 00.  (This caused a few problems in one of our production jobs. A program performed a START (with full key) on two inactive claim files, to check for DUPLICATE claims (i.e. if START is successful, it means the claim already exists, otherwise if record not found, fine). Initially these datasets were dummied out, so the STARTs on these files returned file status 00 - making the program believe that the claims are already available in the system - hence several claims got reported as duplicates. When the same job was re-run with empty datasets instead, no duplicate was reported, since the START now returned file status 23.)       
                                                                     
    B. Even though the START on the DUMMY file returns file status 00, the READNEXT returns status 10 (END OF FILE), since there is NO record to read !                                               

List of commonly encountered abends....desc in few lines

Following is the list of mainframe abends.


'S000 U4000 PROBABLY BAD DB ACCESS IN A PLI PROGRAM.

' CHECK ELEMENT LENGTH, URT, DBURT, ETC.'

'S001 - I/O ERROR DURING CLOSING (EOV SPACE)'

'S002 - DCB ERROR (BLKSIZE NOT MULTIPLE OF LRECL)'

'S003 - FILE SEQUENCE ERROR'

'S004 - DCB ERROR'

'S008 - SYNAD ROUTINE ERROR'

'S013 - OPEN ERROR (IF RC=20, PROBABLE BLOCK SIZE)'

'S028 - SYSTEM PAGING ERROR'

'S02B - USER RETURN CODE IS TOO HIGH'

'S033 - ISAM OPEN ERROR'

'S03B - ISAM OPEN ERROR (BAD DCB INFO)'

'S05C - SYSTEM ADDRESS ALLOCATION ERROR'

'S08B - PROGRAM ERROR (PROBABLE PARAMETER)'

'S0B7 - SPACE'

'S0C1 - OPERATION EXCEPTION (CORRECT COMPILE PROCEDURE USED??)'

'S0C2 - PRIVILEGED OPERATION EXCEPTION'

'S0C3 - EXECUTION EXCEPTION'

'S0C4 - PROTECTION EXCEPTION'

'S0C5 - ADDRESS EXCEPTION'

'S0C6 - SPECIFICATION EXCEPTION'

'S0C7 - DATA EXCEPTION'

'S0C8 - OVERFLOW EXCEPTION'

'S0C9 - DIVIDE EXCEPTION'

'S0CA - DECIMAL OVERFLOW'

'S0CB - DECIMAL DIVIDE EXCEPTION'

'S0CC - EXPONENT OVERFLOW'

'S0CD - UNDERFLOW EXCEPTION'

'S0E0 - SQUARE ROOT ERROR'

'S0E6 - DATA SET SCRATCHED'

'S106 - PROBABLE GETMAIN SPACE ERROR'

'S137 - END-OF-TAPE ERROR'

'S214 - FILE CLOSE ERROR ON TAPE '

'S222 - CANCELED OR TIMED OUT'

'S313 - OPEN ERROR ON DASD'

'S314 - CLOSE ERROR ON DASD'

'S322 - TIMED OUT (CHECK JOB OR EXEC CARD)'

'S337 - END-OF-DATA SET'

'S413 - OPEN ERROR (TAPE OR DASD ONLY)'

'S414 - CLOSE ERROR (TAPE OR DASD ONLY)'

'S513 - OPEN ERROR (TAPE ONLY)'

'S522 - TIMED OUT (PROBABLY WAITED 30 MINUTES FOR ANSWER)'

'S613 - OPEN ERROR (TAPE ONLY)'

'S614 - CLOSE ERROR (DASD ONLY)'

'S706 - MODULE MARKED AS "NOT EXECUTABLE"'

'S70A - SYSTEM OR MACHINE ERROR'

'S713 - OPEN ERROR (TAPE OR DASD ONLY)'

'S714 - CLOSE ERROR (TAPE ONLY)'

'S722 - SYSOUT OUTPUT LIMIT (OUTLIM) EXCEEDED'

'S778 - SYSTEM OR MACHINE ERROR'

'S7F1 - EXPDT ERROR. CHECK 99000 OR 98000'

'S804 - VIRTUAL STORAGE SPACE ERROR'

'S806 - MODULE NAME MISSING OR MISSPELLED(BAD URT OR LINKLIB?)'

'S80A - INSUFFICIENT SPACE FOR WORKAREA'

'S878 - VIRTUAL SPACE ERROR.(POSSIBLY A LOOP OR BAD URT)'

'S813 - OPEN ERROR (TAPE ONLY)'

'S913 - OPEN ERROR (VIRTUAL ONLY)'

'SA03 - TASK TERMIN ERROR (SEE LAST FILES. CHECK EZTVFM OVERRIDE)'

'SA13 - OPEN ERROR (TAPE ONLY)'

'SA14 - CLOSE ERROR (DASD ONLY)'

'SB13 - OPEN ERROR (PRINTER)'

'SB14 - CLOSE ERROR (PDS)'

'SB23 - WTOR NOT ANSWERED'

'SB37 - INSUFFICIENT SPACE (FILE SIZE. ALLOCATE MORE CYL)'

'SB78 - GETMAIN OR FREEMAIN ERROR'

'SD37 - INSUFFICIENT SPACE (PACK FULL. CLEAN UP OR RE-ORG)'

'SE37 - INSUFFICIENT SPACE.(LIBR FULL. CLEAN,RE-ORG,RE-ALLOCATE)'

How to determine program compile date

 Compile date might be needed for various reason, the most typical of them is the necessity to compare load modules of the same program in different libraries.

Open program partition for browse in the load module library.  Scroll one screen right ([F11]) and you'll see the program name immediately followed by the date in the format of YYYYMMDD.  This is the program compile date.

How to determine the MVS version

Open SDSF session and enter primary command WHO.  In reply to this command SDSF will display several lines of information describing session environment and containing among other useful things versions of MVS, JES, ISPF and SDSF

Mainframe General : MAXIMUMs and MINIMUMs

Questions
---------
1. MAX no. of DD statements possible in a Job step.
2. MAX no. of EXEC statements possible in a JOB.
3. MAX file record length allowed in COBOL.
 (i.e. PIC X(n) - what is the max value that 'n' can take).
4. MAX working storage variable length allowed, in COBOL
 (i.e. PIC X(n) - what is the max value that 'n' can take).
5. MAX Table size permitted, in COBOL.
6. MAX value of return code we can check for.
7. MAX no. of characters we can give as PARM to a pgm.
8. MAX no. of in-stream procedures that can be coded in a JOB.
9. MAX size permitted for the KEY of a VSAM KSDS.
10. MAX size permitted for an Alternate KEY.
11. MAX no of duplicates permitted in an ALT Index.
12. MAX record size allowed for an ALT index.
13. MIN record length required for a dataset to be edited in ISPF
14. MAX record length possible for a dataset to be edited in ISPF
15. MAX no of items possible for a TSQ
16. MAX record length per item, for a TSQ
  
Answers
-------
1. 3273
2. 255
3. 
4. 
5. 
6. 4095
7. 100
8. 15
9. 255
10. 255
11. 32768
12. Theoretically 8356100 ( 5 + 255 + (32768 * 255) ), don't know how much VSAM allows.
13. 10 for FB, 14 for VB.
14. 32760 for FB, 32756 for VB.
15. 32,767
16. 32,763, (but safe limit is 24K)

Keep track your learnings

Often we are given a new task/problem at our work and then we find out a solution for that task/problem.  As the time pass by we forget those hard earned learnings. When we face the same task/problem again, we may remember that we faced that task/problem before, but we may not be able to remember the solution.

So, create a word document to note down all your learnings. Lets call this as "knowledge base" document.  When ever you learn something, open that document and write down your learnings in simple terms. It hardly takes 5 mins to document your learnings.  If you are not nearer to your computer, make sure you document it when you get access to your system. Keep doing this, when ever you learn something new.  When you are given a task/problem and you remember that you that solved that before , open your knowledge base document to check if you documented the solution and if yes, you will be saving your energy and time.

Can we use internet banking over public WIFI hot spot

When you connect your laptop to public WIFI hotspots, the data that leaves your laptop and sent to your laptop are viewable by others. Hackers in the Public WIFI hot spots can use some network monitoring tools to view your data.

Unless the website that you are visiting starts with "https://", the data that leaves your laptop and sent to your laptop will be in "plain text". So, hackers who sits in that public spot, can easily steal your personal data such as your user ids, passwords credit card numbers etc..

When a website address starts with "https://", the data that leaves your laptop will be encrypted. So, when a hacker intercepts your encrypted data, he cannot do anything about it.

If you want to use internet banking in the public wifi spot, make sure the internet banking site's URL always stays with "https:/" from the moment you log on and till you sign out.

The below sign on screen in the bank of america site starts with https:// which mean the user id and password will be encrypted before it leaves the computer and the response reaches the computer will also be encrypted.

After signing on, the url still stays with "https://" which indicates that if we do any transaction, the transaction will be encrypted before it leaves the computer and the response reaches the computer will also be encrypted.

How to save starup/boot time in pc/laptop

After regular use for 1 or 2 years your pc/laptop may slow down and it may take 2 to 3 minutes to boot.  So, to save boot time, hibernate your pc/laptop after your work instead of shutting it down.  Hibernation puts your open documents and programs on your hard disk, and then turns off your computer. Next time when you switch on your pc/laptop, it restores the open documents and programs from the hard disk and thus save your time.

Purpose of Last sign in date in email, banking websites

In email, banking websites you might have seen "Last sign in" date and time.  See the right hand side in the below screen. This gives you a chance to make sure that no one is using your account other than you.

How to watch vidoes in youtube if you have slow internet connection

On the video, click on the settings located at the right hand lower corner of the screen. Select the lowest values which is "240P". See the below screen. After doing this, you may experience better video buffering...

Tamil songs: ILLAIYARAJA hits

Some of the best of songs from Illaiyaraja..

Sangathil Paadatha kavithai - Auto raja(1982) Ilayaraja song
Azhakaga Sirithathu
Pattu Enge - Poo Vizhi Vaasalile - Ilaiyaraaja
Avathaaram - Thendral vanthu theendum pothu
Adhi KAlai Neram
Kallukkul eeram - Siru pon mani
Thamdhana Thamdhana - Pudhiya Vaarpugal
Kasthoori maane
Aananda Raagam - Panneer Pushpangal (HQ)
Oru Thanga Rathathil from Dharma Yutham
then sinthuthey vaanam - Ponnukku thanga manasu
வா பொன்மயிலே நெஞ்சம்
Velakku vecha nerathile - Ilayaraja, Janaki - Munthanai Mudichu (1983)
janani janani jagam nee agam nee
Aei Unnaithaane - Kadhal Parisu
Neelakkuyile Unnodu Naan
andha naal nyaabagam
Tamil Movie Song - Tik Tik Tik - Poo Malarnthida Nadamidum
Aayiram malarkalae.avi
Malligaiyae
Rasathi Manasula
Ye Rasathi
Vasalilae Poosanipoo
Yen Uyir Neethane
oru kili urukuthu|---anandha kummi
Aathadi Paavadai Kaathada
etho mogam
Naan Yenbarthe
Paada vanthathor gaanam
thendrale ennai thodu - Thendral vanthu - Ilaiyaraaja
Poobaalam Isaikkum - Thooral Ninnu Pochu
Thanga Sangili - Thooral Ninnu Pochu
Johny - Senorita - Ilaiyaraaja
Evergreen song
Kaalai thendral paadi varum from Uyarndha Ullam
putham puthu kalai
Vaan Megangale - Puthiya Vaarpugal
Adi Penne - Mullum Malarum
Anjali - Anjali anjali anjali - Ilaiyaraaja
MOUNA RAGAM THEME MUSIC
Punnagai Mannan
Poonthalir aada..
Ilayaraja Best Title score BGM
Manithnin Marupakkam - Oomai Nenjin Sontham
Oru Kadhal Enbadhu - Chinna Thambi Periya Thambi
Gopurangal Saivathillai - Poo Vaadai Kaatru
metti oli kaatrodu...En Nenjai Thaalaatta...
Ettana Iruntha
NEE ORU KADHAL SANGEETHAM
VIZHIYILE MANI VIZHIYIN-NOORAVATHU NAAL
kaathal kavithaigal...
Muthamizh Kaviye varuga

Android: How to install Custom ROM in Nexus one

What is Stock ROM in Android ?

The operating system shipped with nexus one phone is called Stock ROM.

What is Custom ROM ?

As you know Android is an open source OS.  So,  anyone can download the Android OS and customize it for their personal use.   The customized Android OS is called as Custom ROM.

When I got my nexus one phone, I wanted to install the Custom ROM.   But at that time I do not know where to start.  When I searched the web, I was bombarded with lot of information and it was too much for me to digest it.  Finally after little struggle I have installed CyanogenMod in my phone.  Cyanogenmod is one of the famous Custom ROM.  One of the best of feature of CyanagenMod is, it has FM radio in it.  I dont know if any smart phones have FM radio in it. FM radio will be useful to listen to radio stations while your travel and you have no data plan in your mobile.

Following are the steps you need to follow to install a Custom ROM in nexus one.

1.       Unlock the boot loader. The instructions are present in unlock bootloader 

2.       Now we need to root the phone. Read the instruction present in the post

root nexus one  posted by “soloviyko”.

3.       Now you can install the Custom ROM.  Instructions are present in install custom rom

Mainframe: Run a job at a particular time without the job scheduler

If your shop has Thruput manager (TM), you can use the JTS command in the JCL to direct the TM to run the job at a particular time.


When you submit the below job, the job will be put on hold and system will NOT perform any JCL error checking. The job will be released from "hold" on 06-Nov-2011 at 2.30 AM EST and it will start running.  The beauty is JCL error checking is bypassed until the time is met.



//TESTJOB JOB (MX999),'TEST JOB'...
//*JTS RELEASE DATE=2011.310,TIME=02.30

Let us say you want to run a test job every Monday morning and it takes around 4 hours to complete. Instead of running the job on Monday morning and wait for 4 hours, what you can do is, submit the job with JTS RELEASE command on Friday before you leave, to run the job Monday morning at 1 AM EST. So, by the time you reach the office on Monday morning, the job would have completed and thus you can save your time.

How blood type works

Our blood has certain markers on the surface of red blood cells. They are called Antigens (kind of chemical compound). Blood is categorized based on the presence of the antigen.  

If red blood cells have	then Blood group is
A antigen	A
B antigen	B
Neither A nor B antigens	O
A and B antigens	AB

Now you may wonder what does “+” and “-“ sign in the blood group indicate. There is one more antigen called “Rh”. The presence of Rh antigen indicates blood group is positive and the absence of Rh antigen indicates blood group is negative. We can revise the above table as shown below.

If red blood cells have	and Rh antigen present	then Blood group is
A antigen	Yes	A+
A antigen	No	A-
B antigen	Yes	B+
B antigen	No	B-
A and B antigens	Yes	AB+
A and B antigens	No	AB-
Neither A nor B antigens	Yes	O+
Neither A nor B antigens	No	O-

A blood type will have antibodies to fight against the antigens which are not present in that blood. For example, “A-” blood type will have antibodies to fight against “B antigen” and “Rh antigen”.  So, “A-“ type will accept only “A-“ and “O-“ blood types. The complete blood type compatibility is given below.

Blood types that match

A- blood  <== A-, O-   

A+ blood  <== A-, A+, O-, O+  

B- blood  <== B-, O-  

B+ blood  <== B-, B+, O-, O+  

AB- blood <== AB-, O-  

AB+ blood <== AB-, AB+, A-, A+, B-, B+, O-, O+  

O- blood  <== O-  

O+ blood  <== O-, O+