Chapter 13: Further Reading

Annotated Bibliography -- Relative File Processing and Advanced File Techniques

The following resources provide deeper exploration of relative file organization, VSAM RRDS, the LINAGE clause, and advanced file handling techniques introduced in this chapter. They are organized by category and include brief descriptions to help you select the most relevant materials for your learning goals.

Books

1. Murach's Mainframe COBOL by Mike Murach and Associates (2021 edition)

Murach's treatment of file processing is among the clearest available, with dedicated chapters covering sequential, indexed, and relative file organizations side by side. The paired-page format makes it easy to compare syntax and behavior across all three organizations. Particularly useful for understanding how relative files fit within the broader landscape of COBOL file handling.

2. COBOL for the 21st Century by Nancy Stern, Robert A. Stern, and James P. Ley (Wiley, 11th Edition, 2013)

This long-running academic text provides thorough coverage of relative file processing with worked examples that show random, sequential, and dynamic access patterns. The chapter on advanced file handling includes detailed discussion of the LINAGE clause and multi-file processing. The exercises at the end of each chapter are particularly well-suited for reinforcing the concepts of relative record addressing.

3. VSAM: Access Method Services and Application Programming by Doug Lowe (Mike Murach and Associates, 2002)

Dedicated entirely to VSAM, this book provides deep coverage of RRDS alongside KSDS and ESDS. It explains how IDCAMS DEFINE CLUSTER creates relative record data sets, how slot management works at the physical level, and how COBOL programs interact with the VSAM catalog. Essential reading for anyone who will work with relative files in a mainframe production environment.

IBM Documentation

4. IBM Enterprise COBOL for z/OS: Programming Guide (IBM Documentation, current edition)

The official IBM programming guide contains detailed chapters on file processing that cover the SELECT statement options for relative files, the behavior of DYNAMIC access mode, and the interaction between COBOL I/O statements and VSAM. The sections on file sharing and LOCK MODE are authoritative references for production file handling. Search for "Relative file organization" in the IBM Documentation portal.

5. IBM DFSMS: Access Method Services for Catalogs (IDCAMS Reference)

This manual documents the IDCAMS utility commands used to define, alter, and manage VSAM data sets including RRDS. Understanding DEFINE CLUSTER with the NUMBERED parameter is essential for creating relative record data sets. The reference also covers REPRO for loading data and LISTCAT for inspecting data set attributes. Indispensable for the JCL and utility aspects of VSAM RRDS management.

6. IBM DFSMS: Using Data Sets (IBM Documentation)

This guide explains how z/OS manages data sets at the system level, including VSAM record-level sharing (RLS) and the physical storage characteristics of RRDS. The sections on multi-user access, record-level locking, and buffer management provide the system-level context for the LOCK MODE clause and file sharing topics covered in this chapter.

Online Resources

7. GnuCOBOL Programmer's Guide (maintained by the GnuCOBOL community)

The GnuCOBOL documentation covers relative file processing as implemented in the open-source compiler, including any behavioral differences from IBM Enterprise COBOL. The guide provides practical examples of ORGANIZATION IS RELATIVE with all three access modes. Useful for readers practicing on a PC-based environment before working on the mainframe.

8. Open Mainframe Project: COBOL Programming Course (Linux Foundation, GitHub)

This free curriculum includes modules on file processing that cover relative files alongside sequential and indexed organizations. The hands-on exercises allow students to create, read, update, and delete records in relative files using a real z/OS environment through IBM Z Xplore. A practical supplement for readers who want guided, interactive practice.

Standards and Specifications

9. ISO/IEC 1989:2014 -- Programming Language COBOL (International Standards Organization)

The official COBOL standard defines the normative behavior of relative file organization, including the precise semantics of the RELATIVE KEY clause, the START statement, and the interaction of access modes with I/O statements. While dense and formal, the standard is the definitive reference when compiler documentation is ambiguous or when you need to understand what behavior is guaranteed versus implementation-defined.

10. ANSI X3.23-1985 (COBOL-85 Standard) with Amendments

The COBOL-85 standard introduced many of the file handling features still in use today, including the explicit scope terminators for I/O statements (END-READ, END-WRITE, END-DELETE) and the formalization of dynamic access mode for relative files. The amendments to the 1985 standard added intrinsic functions and other enhancements. Understanding the COBOL-85 base is important because the majority of production COBOL programs were written to this standard.

How to Use These Resources

If you need to understand VSAM RRDS at the system level, start with resources 3 (Lowe's VSAM book), 5 (IDCAMS reference), and 6 (Using Data Sets).

If you want additional COBOL coding examples for relative files, focus on resources 1 (Murach's), 2 (Stern), and 7 (GnuCOBOL guide).

If you are preparing for production mainframe work involving relative files, prioritize resources 4 (IBM Programming Guide), 5 (IDCAMS), and 6 (Using Data Sets) for the operational knowledge required to manage relative files in z/OS batch and online environments.

If you want hands-on practice, resource 8 (Open Mainframe Project) provides the most accessible path to working with relative files on a real system.

Note: IBM documentation is regularly updated. Search the IBM Documentation portal for the latest edition of each title. GnuCOBOL documentation is maintained on SourceForge and community wikis.