Further Reading — Chapter 33: Debugging Strategies

IBM Documentation

  • Enterprise COBOL for z/OS Programming Guide (SC27-1412) — Chapter on debugging covers all compiler debugging options, READY TRACE, and Language Environment integration.
  • Language Environment Debugging Guide (GA22-7560) — Comprehensive guide to CEEDUMP, condition handling, and LE debugging facilities.
  • z/OS MVS Diagnosis: Reference (GA22-7588) — System-level abend code reference. Essential for understanding system completion codes.
  • IBM z/OS Debugger User's Guide (SC27-9580) — Complete reference for IBM Debug Tool / z/OS Debugger.
  • CICS Problem Determination Guide (SC34-7396) — CEDF, EDF, trace, and dump analysis for CICS programs.

Books

  • Sayles, J. (2014). COBOL and Visual Basic on .NET: A Guide for the Reformed Mainframe Programmer. Apress. — Contains practical debugging wisdom from decades of mainframe experience.
  • Stern, N. & Stern, R. (2005). Structured COBOL Programming, 10th Edition. Wiley. — Appendix on debugging and testing provides foundational techniques.
  • IBM Redbooks. (2018). ABCs of z/OS System Programming Volume 10. (SG24-6990). — Covers dump analysis, IPCS, and system-level problem determination.

Online Resources

  • IBM Z Xplore (https://www.ibm.com/z/resources/zxplore) — Free hands-on labs including debugging exercises on a real z/OS system.
  • IBM Developer — COBOL (https://developer.ibm.com/languages/cobol/) — Tutorials and articles on COBOL development and debugging.
  • Compuware Xpediter Documentation (https://www.bmc.com/it-solutions/xpediter-mainframe-debugging.html) — For shops using Xpediter as their primary debugger.

Abend Code References

  • IBM z/OS MVS System Codes (SA38-0665) — The definitive reference for all system completion codes (S0C1, S0C4, S0C7, S322, S806, etc.).
  • IBM Language Environment Runtime Messages (SA22-7566) — CEE3xxx message explanations for Language Environment conditions.
  • DB2 for z/OS Codes (GC18-9844) — All SQL codes and their meanings.

Debugging Philosophy

  • Zeller, A. (2009). Why Programs Fail: A Guide to Systematic Debugging, 2nd Edition. Morgan Kaufmann. — Scientific approach to debugging with the delta debugging algorithm.
  • Agans, D. (2002). Debugging: The 9 Indispensable Rules for Finding Even the Most Elusive Software and Hardware Problems. AMACOM. — Timeless debugging principles applicable to any platform.
  • Kernighan, B. & Pike, R. (1999). The Practice of Programming. Addison-Wesley. — Chapter 5 on debugging is a masterclass in systematic problem-solving.