Further Reading — Chapter 31: IMS/DB Basics

IBM Documentation

  • IMS Application Programming Guide (SC18-9698) — The definitive reference for DL/I programming in COBOL. Covers every call type, status code, and programming pattern.
  • IMS Application Programming APIs (SC18-9699) — Detailed API reference for all DL/I call formats and parameters.
  • IMS Database Administration Guide (SC18-9697) — Covers DBD and PSB creation, database design, and reorganization.
  • IMS Solutions for Modernizing and Extending Your IMS Applications (SG24-8482) — IBM Redbook on IMS modernization strategies including IMS Connect, Open Database, and z/OS Connect EE.

Books

  • Meltz, D., Long, R., Harrington, M., Hain, R., & Nicholls, G. (2005). An Introduction to IMS, 2nd Edition. IBM Press. — Comprehensive introduction to IMS concepts, ideal for programmers new to IMS.
  • Windle, D. & Windle, M. (2014). Getting Started with z/OS Data Sets and IMS Databases. IBM Redbooks. — Practical guide combining z/OS data management with IMS.
  • IBM Redbooks. (2019). IMS Version 15 Technical Overview. (SG24-8573). — Overview of the latest IMS capabilities.

Online Resources

  • IBM Z Xplore (https://www.ibm.com/z/resources/zxplore) — Free cloud-based learning platform where you can practice IMS programming on a real z/OS system.
  • IBM Developer — IMS (https://developer.ibm.com/components/ims/) — Tutorials, code samples, and articles on IMS development.
  • IMS Open Database documentation — For understanding how Java and other languages access IMS without DL/I.

Historical Context

  • Date, C.J. (1981). An Introduction to Database Systems, 3rd Edition. Addison-Wesley. — Chapters on hierarchical and network database models provide theoretical grounding.
  • IBM Systems Journal, Vol. 16, No. 2 (1977). "IMS/VS Version 1: An Evolution of Concepts" — Historical paper on IMS's evolution from the Apollo program.

Modernization

  • IBM Redbooks. (2020). Modernizing Applications with IBM IMS and z/OS Connect Enterprise Edition. — Detailed guide on exposing IMS transactions as RESTful APIs.
  • Ackert, K. et al. (2018). IMS to DB2 Migration: A Practical Guide. IBM Redbooks. — For organizations considering migration from IMS to DB2.

Community

  • IMS user groups at SHARE (https://www.share.org) — Annual conferences with IMS technical sessions.
  • IBM IMS Community on LinkedIn — Discussions on IMS best practices and modernization.