IBM Mainframe Forum

[ckalai12]

HI All,

I'm working in mainframe platform for a year. I'm planning to do PL/1 certification.

I'm new to PL/I. Can you please suggest some good centers in chennai to do the certification, its cost and books that is needed.

Thanks a lot

Kalai

[prino]

After using it for over 25 years, I've never even heard of PL/I certification. In general, I consider any kind of certification CV fodder, only real-life experience counts, you cannot learn a language, especially one as simple and complex as PL/I from a book.

And by the way, the language is called PL/I, not PL/1.

[BillyBoyo]

And by the way, the language is called PL/I, not PL/1.

Well, we do live and learn. You're right and I never knew that. In the UK it was always written "PL/1" whenever I saw it (never saw any manuals, though). Still today, in UK job adverts it is PL/1. I never even noticed the title of this forum properly, just saw the PL/ and mentally read the I as 1.

I hope it is not the same with DL/1. Or DB/2. Or half-past-four? I feel the world slipping from under my feet...

[NicC]

It is, actually, Programming Language One so PL/1 is correct.

[BillyBoyo]

I'm with you NicC, but I is a Roman Numeral for 1. And it seems to be the original "spelling". Funny. Looks more Roman with a top and tail to the I but I can't get a font on this post. So, DL/I, DBII and half-past-IV.

[ckalai12]

HI,

thanks for the clarification on the language name.

I'm working on cobol,cics,vsam &jcl for a year
If i want to do a cerification which one can i prefer....

[prino]

It is, actually, Programming Language One so PL/1 is correct.

No it is not, it is PL/I.

[NicC]

Roman one (I) or arabic one (1) it is still Pee Ell / One

[BillyBoyo]

Sorry for continuing off-topic.

I stand confused. DL/I (letter), DL/I (Roman numeral) and DL/1 (Arabic numeral) all seem to be in use. Historically, as developed for the NASA Apollo space programme's Bill of Materials processing, there was Data Language Interface (DL/I). Subsequently became Data Language One (DL/I) and IBM also accepts it written as DL/1.

DB2 is "2". Though apparently it is "2" because IMS was DB1 (not DB/1, or DB/I). Still checking on half-past-four.

[Akatsukami]

Actually, IBM offers certifications in PL/I (can I put a hot link to the IBM web site on this board)? I would definitely go with IBM, rather than some "mainframe institute" whose speciality is separating rubes from rupees.

As Mr. Prins says, however, PL/I is a deep and complex subject. Do not expect to crib a list of bad answers to stupid questions, as is too often done for interviews, and be able to pass the exams.