Guidance to learn about PL1, COBOL

[rehpej]

hi i dont know if this is legal here. but currently im new to this languange (PL1, COBOL), but im working on mainframe and i dont understand how it works. well since im not a software person. is there a place where can i study this in a friendly way not in a technical way. i tried the technical way but the stuffs dont go in to my mind. any help would do. thank you

[BillyBoyo]

Go to www.redbooks.ibm.com and put Mainframe in the search box. You should find publications which give you a beginners overview through to the more advanced reading.

[rehpej]

thank you billy,

is there a way that i will embrace this language?

[BillyBoyo]

Sorry, misread your question. You don't have a programming background, and someone is expecting you to pick up COBOL and PL/I with no training?

[rehpej]

yup i dont have a broad programming background, there is a self study training but for my level it is too technical. so im looking for an alternative to study the language.

[BillyBoyo]

I think you'll need to approach them one at a time. I'd suggest COBOL first. You can probably find some introductory COBOL books. Not knowing about programming might be a benefit when learning COBOL, as you won't have to unlearn things from other languages.

However, it'll be difficult for you to find a place where people have the time to give you self-study from scratch, but obviously if you have specific questions, ask them here.

[NicC]

You could probably find some basic tutorials on the net - I did for when I was doing some SQL coding the other week. Also, a good book for COBOL may be COBOL for Dummies. There is no equivalent for PL/1

[rehpej]

i see..

i was working on pl/1 yesterday. haha. think im going to start again.

if i encounter any doubts ill just ask here.

thanks for the info nic and billy.