INFSYS3807 – INFSYS6807

Legacy Information Systems

Spring 2018
– Syllabus
Pg. 1 of 6

About the Instructor

Robert Lovelace
314-283-7430 (8am – 10pm)
lovelacer@umsl.edu Call1800bob@yahoo.com –
Office Hours – By Appointment.

Description
INFSYS 3807 Legacy Systems: 3 semester hours, Prerequisites: A minimum campus GPA of 2.0 and INFSYS-1800
or 2800.
There are three primary objectives of this course:
1. Understand the Mainframe’s Value and Use
2. Create, Debug, Compile and Execute basic COBOL programs
3. Obtain Fundamental z/OS Navigation and File Management exposure
In order to do this, we will provide an overview of the Mainframe Environment and how it is used to solve
business problems. We will then focus on COBOL syntax, structure, design and best programming practices.
Finally, we will expose you to a live z/OS mainframe environment.
The class will present to you learning objectives with associated examples and will provide you small projects
to demonstrate knowledge and practice your skills. The course will not cover rarely used or obscure features,
but will focus on coding and z/OS system features you will most likely experience.
COBOL programming and maintenance often occurs in a Mainframe environment, however in this class we
will initially demonstrate our objectives using Micro Focus Visual COBOL. It is an excellent learning and
debugging tool, but this will not be a class in Micro Focus COBOL only the tool. We will review enough of the
product so that you are proficient enough to do the assignments. In the latter portion of the semester, we will
introduce COBOL on the Mainframe and provide you access accounts on a real mainframe.
If you have access to a mainframe MVS environment, please feel free to complete your assignments using
that resource.

Required Textbooks
Beginning COBOL for Programmers by Apress, available at the publisher’s website, on Amazon or in the
University bookstore.
What On Earth is a Mainframe by David Stephens, available at various web resources. This is the best book
I’ve seen providing and introductory review of the Mainframe environment. It is a nice desk guide to have if
you find yourself in an IT organization with a z/OS environment.

Optional Test: Murach's OS/390 and z/OS JCL: If you are going to a position where you will be navigating a
mainframe, I would invest in this book. During the class you will be introduced to the Mainframe and
expected to code COBOL programs and perform some fundamental navigation and file management. This
text will do nothing but be helpful, but is not required. This text is required for Advanced COBOL.

Time Requirements
This is an online course with no planned meeting times. If this course were offered on campus, you’d be in
class 2.5 hours/week plus travel time. The online version is no different in terms of expectations for your
involvement. This is an active online course that requires 3 hours of your time each week in addition to the
time it takes you to read the required materials, watch the videos, and complete the assignments. That means
that you need to plan to spend a minimum of 6 hours every week (up to 9 - 10 hours a week) on activities
related to this course. If a full-time student is compared to a full-time employee, it is about 40 hours a week
of effort. That is about 8 hours person class. That is about right for this class. If you are worried about your
preparedness, consider taking the Online Readiness Survey to help decide if an online course is right for you.
 INFSYS3807 – INFSYS6807
Legacy Information Systems
Spring 2018
– Syllabus
Pg. 2 of 6

Technology Requirements:
As a student in an online course, you are expected to have a reliable internet connection in order to
participate in the class. If you have computing problems, it is your responsibility to address these or to
use campus computing labs. Problems with your computer or other technology issues are not an excuse
for delays in meeting expectations and missed deadlines for the course. If you have a problem, get help
in solving it immediately. At a minimum, you will need the following software/hardware to participate in
this course:
1. Computer with an updated operating system and updated i nternet browser which meet the minimum
requirement needs of the required software listed below.
2. Ability to navigate C a n v a s ( Learning Management System)
3. DSL or Cable Internet connection or a connection speed fast enough to view class videos.
4. Adobe Flash player (free): http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/
5. Adobe Reader or alternative PDF reader (free): http://get.adobe.com/reader/?promoid=HRZAC
6. Oracle Java plugin (free): http://java.com/en/download/index.jsp. Verify or Install this proceeding to the
Visual Studio installation.
7. 3270 Emulator (Mainframe Access Tool) Vista tn3270:
http://www.tombrennansoftware.com/download.html
NOTE: The Visual Studio and Micro Focus COBOL downloads and installs below are time consuming. Plan on 1
½ to 2 hours at a minimum to complete. The steps are not complex, just time consuming:

8. Visual Studio 2015 Community (free) edition, you can download it from the link below:
https://www.visualstudio.com/en-us/downloads/download-visual-studio-vs.aspx. This must be done prior
to obtaining Micro Focus COBOL.
9. Micro Focus Visual COBOL 2.3; This is available at
https://www.microfocus.com/product-downloads/vcpe/vcpe23/
This requires FREE registration. You will select the “Visual COBOL for Visual Studio Personal Edition”
10. Download the text book COBOL source & data files at: http://www.apress.com/9781430262534
11. You may use the tutorialspoint online compiler; https://www.tutorialspoint.com/compile_cobol_online.php

How This Course Works:

This course is divided into 16 sections, one per week. The activities you need to complete will be inside
each s e c t i o n folder with an outline and of deadlines for activities. There’s a release rhythm and
wide range of time during t o complete those activities. I know you have a complicated work/life
schedule already. H o w e v e r , i t i s i m p o r ta n t t o n o te th i s i s n o t a self--‐paced course.

Assessment-Grades
Your grade is determined by the following criteria:
Class Projects: 80% Programming assignments requiring various levels of efforts and they will be
weighted according to project code complexity.
Quizzes: 20% Quizzes & Final Exam. There will be no midterm

Grade Percentage
A > 89
B > 79
C > 69
D > 59
F < 60
Fn/Ex Excused
 INFSYS3807 – INFSYS6807
Legacy Information Systems
Spring 2018
– Syllabus
Pg. 3 of 6

Assignments
In each section, you’ll be assigned programming or operational tasks designed to build upon each other,
increasing in complexity and functionality. These tasks culminate into more complex assignments which will
have a large influence in your grade.
Assignments will vary in weight based on complexity and reflected in point value
No assignment will be worth more than 10% of your grade.
Grades will be assessed with a grade from 0% to 100%.
A 5% bonus will be awarded if the assignment is posted for a grade on or before the due date.
Assignments posted anytime within 4 weeks of the due date will receive full credit. If you are more than four
weeks behind, we will be having a meeting to work out a performance plan.
Program assignments will be graded upon
• execution success
• program’s accuracy
• practice of best coding practices
• clarity
• program efficiency, or solution approach
Please feel free to consult other students and make good use of many online resources, but you must submit
your own work.
 INFSYS3807 – INFSYS6807
Legacy Information Systems
Spring 2018
– Syllabus
Pg. 4 of 6

Course Schedule
Week Date Objective Text/Chapter

1 01-15 1. Review class objectives and expectations What…

2. Introduce Mainframe Computers & Their Capabilities
3. Understand what COBOL is and how it used 1, 2, 3
4. Install Visual Studio 15 (Community Version)
5. Install Micro Focus Visual COBOL 2.3

2 01-22 1. Application Development on the Mainframe What…6

2. Explain the development environment for this class.
3. Compile (build) and Execute (run) a simple COBOL program COBOL
4. Identify the names and purpose of the four COBOL divisions 1&2
5. Define the purpose of COBOL sections
6. Know reserved words in COBOL and where to look up their definitions
7. Know COBOL naming standards and guidelines

3 01-29 1. Create the Working Storage section 3

2. Know the purpose of 01 levels and subsequent sub levels
3. Define and demonstrate numeric, alpha and alphanumeric field types
4. Be able to map a file layout to a COBOL element name
5. Explain and create an 88 level and a 77 level.
6. Be able to initialize and set element values
7. Add COBOL comments

4 02-05 1. Define and use COBOL paragraphs 4

2. Use the DISPLAY verb to display the contents of variables.
3. Code the ACCEPT statement for date and time stamps
4. Learn and demonstrate COBOL arithmetic statements.

5 02-12 1. Be able to open and close a file and determine file status 5
2. Demonstrate the “IF” conditional statement

6 02-19 1. Demonstrate the EVALUATE conditional statement 5

2. Understand best practices for coding conditional statements.

7 02-26 1. Understand the use of control iteration structures: PERFORM, subroutines, TIMES, UNTIL and 6
VARYING statements

8 03-05 1. Edited Picture Clauses 9

2. Format numeric data for readable display

9 03-12 1. Define sequential file structure and COBOL syntax 7

2. Discover the z/OS operating system
3. Establish Mainframe Connection & Orientation
4. Edit, Compile & Execute COBOL program on Mainframe

10 03-19 1. READ files and WRITE records 8

2. Use the WRITE statement to create new files

11 03-26 SPRING BREAK – NO NEW MATERIAL

12 04-02 1. Introduce Basic COBOL Reports 8
2. Demonstrate Report Components
3. Format output data for report.

13 04-09 1. Demonstrate multiple record type processing 10

2. Create a COBOL report break program

14 04-16 1. Define and declare a COBOL table using OCCURS clause 11

2. Define and use a table index and subscript
15 04-23 1. Use the REDEFINES Clause to vary the PICTURE clause 12
2. Define alternative data memory storage formats with USAGE clause
16 04-30 1. Demonstrate COBOL string manipulation using INSPECT and STRING statements 15
2. Use the COBOL FUNCTION statement for string manipulation and dates
17 05-07 Finals/Project Week
 INFSYS3807 – INFSYS6807
Legacy Information Systems
Spring 2018
– Syllabus
Pg. 5 of 6

Additional Policies
1. Students are expected to access the course materials and complete their assignments/activities
within the appropriate timeframes. All students are expected to visit and participate in the course
website (Canvas) at least twice weekly.
2. Students are expected to CONTACT THE INSTRUCTOR IMMEDIATELY if special circumstances inhibit
their reaching course deadlines or if they have any other problems that cause interruptions of their
participation in the course activities. Plan your time as if something might happen – do your work
early and avoid last minute stresses.
3. It is highly recommended that students keep backup copies of all of their work.
4. Class participation is mandatory. Because all activities will be performed online, students must
make sure they can access the Internet regularly. Online class participation and posting to
discussion boards shall be a main form of collaboration in our classroom.
5. If students are traveling during the semester, they should be sure they are able to access Internet
at the location where they are staying (e.g., hotel, library, coffee shop, copy store, etc.). Active
participation is the key to success and satisfaction in online learning.

Access, Disability and Communication

Students who have a health condition or disability, which may require accommodations in order to
participate effectively in this course, should contact the Disability Access Services Office. Information
about your disability is confidential. 144 Millennium Student Center
Phone: (314) 516--‐6554
Email: linder@umsl.edu
Web: http://www.umsl.edu/services/disabled/
Technical Support

• Canvas: If you have problems logging into your online course, or an issue within the course site, please contact the
Technology Support Center: Phone: (314) 516-­­6034
Email: helpdesk@umsl.edu
Web: http://www.umsl.edu/technology/tsc/
• If you are having difficulty with a technology tool in Canvas (wiki, voicethread, Kaltura, etc.) consider visiting the
Online Course Orientation in your course listing. The orientation has overviews of each tool and tutorials on how to
use them.
 INFSYS3807 – INFSYS6807
Legacy Information Systems
Spring 2018
– Syllabus
Pg. 6 of 6

Academic Integrity/Plagiarism

• You are responsible for being attentive to and observant of University policies about academic honesty as stated in
the University’s Campus Policies and Procedures in the Triton Manual (p. 30)
• Academic dishonesty is a serious offense that may lead to probation, suspension, or dismissal from the University.
One form of academic dishonesty is plagiarism – the use of an author's ideas, statements, or approaches without
crediting the source. Academic dishonesty also includes such acts as cheating by copying information from another
student. Plagiarism and cheating are not acceptable.
• Academic dishonesty will be reported to the Office of Academic Affairs for possible action. The instructor will make
an academic judgment about the student’s grade on that work and in that course. The campus process regarding
academic dishonesty is described in the “Policies” section of the Academic Affairs website
• Plagiarism is the use of another person’s words or ideas without crediting that person.
• Plagiarism and cheating will not be tolerated and may lead to failure on an assignment, in the class, and
dismissal from the University, per the UMSL academic dishonesty policy.
• Students are responsible for being attentive to and observant of campus policies about academic honesty as stated
in the University’s Student Conduct Code.
• To avoid accusations of academic dishonesty, please submit all written work to the Turnitin System before finalizing
what you submit for evaluation. Check information about The Writing Center @UMSL that is linked to the Canvas
Home.
Online Class Netiquette/Behavior

• Be self-reflective before you post an emotional response and reread what you have written to be sure it is positive.
Think of your comments as printed in the newspaper. Your online comments will be seen, heard and remembered
by others in the class.
• Avoid the use of all caps or multiple punctuation elements (!!!, ??? etc).
• Be polite, understate rather than overstate your point, and use positive language.
• If you are using acronyms, jargon or uncommon terms, be sure to explain them so everyone can understand and
participate in the discussion.
• Ask for clarification to a point if you feel emotional from a classmate’s post. It is likely that you misunderstood
his/her point. This strategy will also help you step away from the intensity of the moment to allow for more
reflection.
• Sign your name. It is easier to build a classroom community when you know to whom you are responding.
• Foster community. Share your great ideas and contribute to ongoing discussions. Consider each comment you
make as one that is adding to, or detracting from, a positive learning environment for you and your classmates.
• Be constructive. You can challenge ideas and the course content, but avoid becoming negative online. When you
disagree politely you stimulate and encourage great discussion. You also maintain positive relationships with others
with whom you may disagree on a certain point.
• Keep the conversation on topic by responding to questions, adding thoughtful comments about the topics at hand.
Online dialogue is like conversation. If there is a particular dialogue going on, please add to it, but if you have
something new to say, please post it in another thread.
• Define your terms. When using acronyms or terms that are particular to your field (or new to our course), please
define them for others.