Chapter 27 Further Reading

IBM Documentation

  • IBM DB2 for z/OS: Application Programming and SQL Guide — The definitive reference for embedded SQL in COBOL on z/OS. Covers host variables, cursors, dynamic SQL, stored procedures, and optimization.
  • IBM DB2 for z/OS: SQL Reference — Complete SQL syntax reference including all SQLCODE values and SQLSTATE mappings.
  • IBM DB2 for z/OS: Codes — Comprehensive listing of all DB2 message codes, return codes, and reason codes. Essential for debugging.
  • IBM Enterprise COBOL for z/OS: Programming Guide — Chapter on "Programming for a DB2 environment" covers precompiler integration and host variable rules.

Books

  • Mullins, C.S., "DB2 Developer's Guide" (6th edition) — Comprehensive guide to DB2 application development, with extensive coverage of embedded SQL in COBOL.
  • Lawson, C., "DB2 for z/OS: The Complete Reference" — Detailed reference covering DB2 architecture, SQL, and application programming.
  • Yevich, R., "DB2 for COBOL Programmers" — Specifically targeted at COBOL developers learning DB2. Excellent for the transition from VSAM to relational thinking.

IBM Redbooks

  • "DB2 for z/OS: Best Practices for Application Development" — Practical guidance on embedded SQL design, performance, and error handling.
  • "COBOL and DB2: Developing Applications on z/OS" — Step-by-step guide for COBOL-DB2 development including JCL setup, precompilation, and binding.
  • "DB2 for z/OS: Diagnosis Guide and Reference" — Essential for understanding and resolving DB2 errors in production.

Online Resources

  • IBM Z Xplore (https://www.ibm.com/z/resources/zxplore) — Free cloud access to z/OS with DB2 for hands-on practice with embedded SQL.
  • IBM Documentation (https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/db2-for-zos) — Current online documentation for DB2 for z/OS.

Alternative Implementations

  • OCESQL (Open COBOL ESQL) — An embedded SQL preprocessor for GnuCOBOL that supports PostgreSQL and MySQL. Allows embedded SQL practice without z/OS access.
  • Micro Focus COBOL with ODBC — Micro Focus COBOL supports embedded SQL with various databases through ODBC connectivity.
  • Chapter 28: Advanced DB2 Techniques — Dynamic SQL, stored procedures, and performance tuning beyond the fundamentals.
  • Chapter 29: Introduction to CICS — Online transaction processing where embedded SQL meets real-time interactive programs.
  • Chapter 26: Inter-Language Communication — Another form of cross-system integration, this time between programming languages rather than between COBOL and a database.
  • Chapter 33: Testing COBOL Programs — Techniques for testing embedded SQL programs, including simulating SQL errors and validating database interactions.