INF-107 - Minicomputer Operations
Class Two
  1. Chapter One - IBM IBM iSeries eServer (AS/400) Overview
    1. System Advantages
      1. High level of integration
        1. All of the pieces fit together
        2. Single consistent user interface
        3. Greatly reduced technical support requirement
      2. Object Orientation
        1. Everything is an object
        2. Each object type handled consistently
        3. Program objects cannot be read as data (This is why there cannot be a computer virus on an IBM iSeries eServer (AS/400))
      3. Integrated data definition language & relational database
        1. ALL data defined in a standard way
        2. Database is called DB2/400
      4. Data and program independence
        1. Externally described files
        2. All data is addressed by name, not location
      5. Single-level storage
        1. Method of "Virtual Memory"
          1. Virtual memory is how computers handle situations where there is more memory required than is available
        2. The operating system uses the sale addressing scheme for both main memory & disk storage
      6. Client Server computing
        1. Client based (distributed) logic
        2. Server based logic (terminals & Internet)
    2. OS/400 - The operating system of the IBM iSeries eServer (AS/400)
      1. Work management – the flow of tasks through the system
      2. Storage management – how data is stored within the system
      3. Database management – making data accessible within the system
      4. Communications support – "talking" to devices remote to the system
      5. Control language – a common way to operate the system
      6. Systems security – controlling "who is allowed to do what"
  2. Chapter Two - Menus and User Interface
    1. User profile
      1. Basis for user identification
      2. Systems security
    2. System commands
      1. Executed from the "command line"
      2. Executed from system menus
    3. A menu is a list of choices
    4. Main menu
      1. Starting point for executing any system function
    5. System help text
      1. The "HELP Key" is the F1 key
      2. Point to something and press the "HELP Key"
      3. There is an entire systems user manual buried in the help system
      4. The question mark (?) in a command parameter gives field level help
    6. Function Keys
      1. Standards exist across the system
      2. F1 = HELP
      3. F3 = Exit program
      4. F4 = Prompt
      5. F9 = Retrieve previous command
      6. F12 = Cancel current process
      7. PRINT = Print existing screen
  3. Chapter Three - IBM iSeries eServer (AS/400) Command Language (CL)
    1. Purpose for Command Language
      1. Systems Operations
      2. Job Control
    2. Types of commands
      1. IBM Provided commands
      2. User written commands
    3. Usage of commands
      1. Run from command line
      2. Run from menus
      3. Included in Command Language programs
    4. Structure of a command
      1. General rules of syntax
        1. Command Name and parameters
        2. Blanks separate each part of a command
        3. If you cannot fit an entire command on one line, use a continuation character to continue to the next line
          1. Use + to insert a blank
          2. Use - to not insert a blank
      2. Command Name
        1. Command names are up to 10 characters long
        2. User written commands
          1. You name them your way
        3. IBM Provided Commands
          1. Command name components
            1. Verbs
              1. Specify the action to be formed
              2. Examples
                1. WRK = WorkWith
                2. DSP = Display
                3. CRT = Create
                4. DLT = Delete
                5. SND = Send
            2. Nouns
              1. Specify the subject of the action
              2. Generally a system object
              3. Examples
                1. JOB = System Job(s)
                2. MSG = Message
                3. LIB = Library
                4. F = File
            3. Verb / Noun form
              1. SNDMSG - Send a message
              2. WRKLIB - Work with library(ies)
            4. Very / Adjective / Noun form
              1. Adjectives
                1. Provide additional definition to the noun
              2. Examples
                1. WRKACTJOB -vs- WRKJOB
                2. SNDBRKMSG -vs- SNDMSG
                3. SNDUSRMSG -vs- SNDMSG
      3. Command Parameters
        1. General rules
          1. Some parameters are required
            1. You must specify their values
          2. Some parameters are optional
            1. The system provides default values
            2. You override them
        2. Keyword parameters
          1. List names of parameters with their value
          2. Example:
            1. CPYF FROMFILE(FROM) TOFILE(TO)
          3. Advantage
            1. Easy to understand
            2. Output by command prompter (F4)
          4. Disadvantage
            1. More to type
          5. Conclusion
            1. Use command prompter
            2. Use for complex commands
            3. Use in CL programs
        3. Positional parameters
          1. Must list parameter values in order
          2. Example:
            1. CPYF FROM TO
          3. Advantage
            1. Less to type
          4. Disadvantage
            1. Hard to understand
          5. Conclusion
            1. Works best for first parameter only
    5. The CALL command
      1. An exception to the IBM naming nomenclature
      2. Used to execute an external procedure
      3. First parameter is the library name & procedure name
      4. Additional parameters to the command are passed to the external procedure
    6. Entering Commands
      1. Command Line
        1. F4 to prompt
          1. If command entered, displays prompt for parameters
          2. Otherwise, the command prompting menu is displayed
        2. F9 to retrieve a previous command
          1. Retrieves commands, one at a time, in reverse order
          2. If on the Command Entry screen, you can point to a previous command and hit F9 to retrieve it.
      2. Command Entry Display (QCMD)
        1. By calling program "QCMD", you get an environment that is built to easily enter multiple commands and copy the commands for multiple execution.
  4. Instructor demonstration of lab exercise
  5. Lab - IBM iSeries eServer (AS/400) Control Language
    1. Display and Print Your User Profile
      1. Following the lab instructions, sign on to the IBM iSeries eServer (AS/400).
      2. On the command line, type the command WRKUSRPRF. Press the F4 key to prompt for parameters. Enter your user profile name. Press the "ENTER" key (the right hand control key on your keyboard).
      3. Look at the values listed. Point the cursor to an item you want more explanation about. Press the F1 key to invoke the help function. Press the F12 key to exit the help function.
      4. Use the workstation print key to print the first page of your user profile listing
      5. Collect the printed output from the printer & circle your user profile name.
    2. Send a workstation message:
      1. On the command line, type the command SNDMSG. Press the F4 key to prompt for parameters.
      2. In the message field, type a message to your instructor. In the "TOUSR (to user)" field, type in your user profile name.
      3. Press the "ENTER" key (the right hand control key on your keyboard).
      4. You should receive the message on your workstation.
      5. Use the workstation print key to print the message on the system printer.
      6. Collect the printed output from the printer & circle your user profile name.
      7. Press the F3 key to return to the main menu.
      8. Press the F9 key until the SNDMSG appears again on the command line.
      9. Press the F4 key to prompt the command. Change the "TOUSR (to user)" field to JMYERS. Press the "ENTER" key (the right hand control key on your keyboard).
      10. Press the F3 key to return to the main menu.
    3. On the back of your printed page from Step A, write down the IBM iSeries eServer (AS/400) command names for each of the functions listed.
      1. Use the Command Prompt function and/or menus to determine the command names for the following system functions:
        1. End a job
        2. Create a job description
        3. Create a duplicate object
        4. Display a file description
        5. Initialize a diskette
    4. Sign off the workstation.
      1. Sign off the system by typing the menu option 90 and pressing the "ENTER" key (the right hand control key on your keyboard).
      2. You should have a sign on display.
      3. End the terminal emulator program (following the instructions in your lab handout).
    5. Staple together your pages from sections A, B, & C & hand in to the instructor.