Higher precision timestamps for COBOL and Assembler performance measurement

Recently new higher precision timestamp support for use in COBOL and z390 assembler applicaitons has been added. Functions are available to obtain interval timing in nanoseconds or microseconds. For more information, visit new web page documenting timestamp support:

http://z390.sourceforge.net/z390_Standard_Timestamp_Support.htm

Don Higgins
don@higgins.net

z390 SOA Support for COBOL calling z390 Assembler using EZASOKET interface

Starting with z390 PTF v1.4.01e, z390 now supports COBOL calling z390 assembler using the IBM standard EZASOKET interface. For demo with source code and screen shot using Micro Focus COBOL calling z390 running on Windows Vista visit:

http://z390.sourceforge.net/z390_SOA_Support_for_COBOL_and_Assembler.htm

This same interface can in theory be used with COBOL running on any platform including mainframes and Linux connected to z390 SOA server running on any platform supporting J2SE Java connected to the same TCP/IP network.

Don Higgins
don@higgins.net

Optimizing COBOL generated mainframe assembler

To aid in analyzing mainframe COBOL programs a new z390 COBOL Portable Assembler option has been added in z390 PTF v1.4.01b. With this option installed, you can convert Enterprise COBOL or COBOL for OS/390 generated assembler listings into z390 assembler source programs which can be assembled, linked, and executed specifying starting and ending line numbers in order to unit test or benchmark specific generated code or supported COBOL statements with called functions. In this initial release only DISPLAY and STOP RUN function calls are supported, but requests for additional functions are welcome. Support for COBOL/370, COBOL for MVS, and VS COBOL II are also in development. For example generation and execution of DISPLAY and STOP RUN demo, install z390 v1.4.01, v1.4.01b PTF, and then enter the command cobol\paos\OSDEMO1. For additional information on this new option visit:

http://z390.sourceforge.net/z390_COBOLSupport.htm

Suggestions on how to make this new option more useful for unit testing and benchmarking COBOL code running on Windows or Linux are welcome. Sample COBOL generated assembler listings along with requests for additional function call support are also welcome.

Don Higgins
don@higgins.net

Why is a slower MIP rate with new z10 instructions better?

All

Why is a slower MIP rate with new z10 instructions better? The answer based on the initial results of problem #18 solution posted today on the ZMFACC Mainframe Assembler Coding Contest would appear to be that by using the new compare and branch instruction for z10 replacing 2 separate compare and branch on condition instructions results in a lower MIP rate but a faster execution time. Even though the MIP rate is lower, there are fewer instructions required to do the same work, and the elapsed time required is less. For the solution posted, the MIP rate using z390 on Intel Duo Core 2.1 GHZ processor dropped from 8.7 to 7.3 MIPS or 15%but the elapsed time also dropped from 343 ms to 271 ms or an 8% reduction in elapsed time. To see the source code and execution log output for this solution plus new problem #19 posting visit:

http://z390.sourceforge.net/z390_Mainframe_Assemble_Coding_Contest.htm

Don Higgins
don@higgins.net

z390 with 11 new ASSIST and 226 new z10 instructions

You never know what will happen at SHARE. This year SHARE started several new ventures for the z390 project resulting in the release of v1.4.01 today with the following major additions:

1. The ASSIST instructions for simplifying assembler program I/O have been added at the request of Northern Illinois University for use by students in their computer science classes. After installation of z390 v1.4.01 enter the command ASSIST assist\DEMOAST1 for demo.

2. Following IBM's announcement of a new z10 mainframe on February 26 during SHARE, a total of 226 new z10 instructions have been added to z390 for use by students learning about the z10 and for developers wanting unit test code before implementing on the new z10 processors. The new z10 instructions include:

a. Compare and branch - based on z390 testing these appear to be 15% faster than the equivalent compare followed by branch on condition instructions.

b. Move with optional specifications - this instruction which was previously implemented based on preliminary information released at SHARE has been expanded to support lengths greater than 4k.

c. The new translate and test extended instructions now support forword and backward translation for any length with 4 different translate table sizes 256, 512, 64k, and 128k.

d. The new rotate and select bits intructions have been implemented along with an improvement in the speed for existing RLL and RLLG rotate instructions which now use new more efficient shared rotate functions.

Since the new z10 instructions did not include the SQXTR extended decimal floating point square root instructions, the first proto-type millicode z390 version of this instruction has been implemented. To see how SQXTR instruction works, see the DFP solution to the standard deviation contest problem #12. To run the program, enter the command ASMLG mfacc\P12DSH3 after installation of z390 v1.4.01. Also see ZMFACC Mainframe Assembler Coding Contest problem #18 requiring benchmark program for compare and branch on the new z10 mainframe:

http://z390.sourceforge.net/z390_Mainframe_Assemble_Coding_Contest.htm

Don Higgins
don@higgins.net

Come to SHARE Session 8194 Feb. 25, 2008 to learn about z390 VSAM and CICS support

Come to the Disney World Coronado Springs Resort in Orlando Florida on February 25, 2008 and attend SHARE Session 8194 at 4:30 in Coronado E for update on z390 VSAM and CICS support. Speakers will include Melvyn Maltz and Don Higgins. Melvyn will provide update on EXEC CICS V4 compatible support including multiple TN3270 clients on TCP/IP network and browse support for ESDS, RRDS, and KSDS VSAM files. Don will provide overview of the z390 portable mainframe assembler and emulator plus update on VSAM externals and internals including KSDS insert support using AVL balanced trees for maximum performance. For more information on SHARE in Orlando and Session 894 visit:

http://share.org/events/Orlando/index.cfm

Don Higgins
don@higgins.net

z390 Mainframe Assembler Coding Contest

Checkout the new z390 mainframe assembler coding problems and submitted solutions here:

http://z390.sourceforge.net/z390_Mainframe_Assemble_Coding_Contest.htm

You can join the growing group of participants and submit as many problems and solutions as your like.

Don Higgins
don@higgins.net

z390 source and downloads now on sourceforge.net

The open source z390 Portable Mainframe Assembler and Emulator source and release downloads are now available from mirrorded z390 project site at

http://z390.sourceforge.net

The source is now in CVS form and can be browsed via the web here:

http://z390.cvs.sourceforge.net/z390/z390/

Don Higgins
don@higgins.net

VSAM and CICS compatible support in z390 v1.3.08

This week z390 v1.3.08 was published for download and install via InstallShield for Windows Vista and XP along with file image for Linux installs. This version has new VSAM support including ESDS, RRDS, VRRDS, and KSDS support for random and skip sequential access by primary key. Also in this release of z390 is V3 of CICS compatible support developed by Melvyn Maltz including new BED9 test transaction to create ESDS file and then CEBR transaction to browse the file forward and backword via PF7 and PF8 keys and toggle record formates between EBCDIC, ASCII, and hex using PF2 key.

All the documentation has updated with links from www.z390.org. Demo and regression tests are also included.

Don Higgins
don@higgins.net

z390 SHARE Session Update

z390 SHARE sessions have been held at the February and August 2007 conferences. Martin Trubner from Germany presented the last session in San Diego providing z390 user perspective. For more information visit:

www.automatedsoftwaretools.com/z390/SHARE_z390_Assembler_and_Emulator_Presentations.htm

Planning is now underway for z390 SHARE session in Orlando in February 2008 with both Don Higgins and Melvyn Maltz presenting updates on z390 support for VSAM and CICS. Plan to attend.

Don Higgins
don@higgins.net

z390 new VSAM assembler application support

Starting with version 1.3.07, z390 now supports VSAM assembler applications. The initial support includes ESDS files using macros for ACB, RPL, OPEN, CLOSE, GET, PUT, SHOWCB, TESTCB, and MODCB. A new utility REPRO written in structured macro assembler is included to load or unload VSAM file from/to QSAM file or another VSAM file. Fixed or variable length records up to 2 GB are supported. Demo application programs with fixed and variable length ESDS VSAM files are included. For more information visit:

http://www.automatedsoftwaretools.com/z390/z390_VSAM_Compatible_Assembler_Support.htm

Don Higgins
don@higgins.net

z390 new CICS compatible transaction manager

z390 version 1.3.05 now has a CICS compatible transaction manager V2 developed by Melvyn Maltz which supports EXEC CICS assembler programs. Commands supported include EXEC SEND, RECEIVE, LOAD, LINK, XCTL, RETURN, HANDLE, ABEND, PUSH, POP, RELEASE, GETMAIN, and FREEMAIN. A z390 CICS transaction manager server can support multiple local and remote TN3270 compatible clients connected over TCP/IP network. All of the code is open source. To start a server run z390\cics\z390cics.390 and to start a client run z390\cics\z390kcp with IP address of the server processor. To see an example, enter the transaction code GUI6 to start a conversational CICS transaction which displays several fields (name, address, zip) and supports updating fields plus PF1 help key and PF3 exit key. For more information visit:

http://www.automatedsoftwaretools.com/z390/z390_EXEC_CICS_Compatible_Assembler_Support.htm

Don Higgins
don@higgins.net

How to speed up Java emulator by 50%

z390 release v1.3.04 includes simple change to the pz390.java source to speed up the emulator
by 50% with new BCT loop speed of 1.6 MIPS on a 2.1 GHZ Intel dual core processor. The only change made was to split the primary and seconardary operation code switches into separate functions which results in smaller working set for the generated Java byte code. On cached pipeline processors this can dramatically improve performance.

Don Higgins
don@higgins.net

EXEC CICS compatible tranaction manager in z390 v1.3.04

The latest z390 version v1.3.04 has new EXEC CICS compatible transaction manager contributed in open source z390 assembler contributed by Melvyn Maltz. This new tool supports multiple clients connected to server on a TCP/IP network. The initial release includes support for EXEC CICS SEND, RECEIVE, LOAD, LINK, XCTL, and RETURN commands and uses z390 GUAM TN3270 support for clients. Documentation and examples are included in the release stored in cics directory.

Don Higgins
don@higgins.net

z390 SUPERZAP utility available in v1.3.03

A new version of the old SUPERZAP file utility is available in z390 v1.3.03. This utility is distributed as open source as part of z390 and consists of about 850 lines of structured mainframe macro assembler. The utility supports the verification, replacement, and dumping of file contents in hex, ASCII, or EBCDIC. Files up to 2 GB on Windows or Linux are supported. Addition commands are supported to search for hex or text values and a loop command allows repeating search, verify, replace, and/or dump commands until verify fails or end of file is reached. For more information on this utility visit www.superzap.net.

This utility illustrates the power of structured mainframe assembler for use in utilities and applications running on not only on mainframes but also Windows and Linux platforms. SUPERZAP uses new extension in z390 v1.3.03 to set DCB record lengths up to 31 bits thus allowing utility to read or write an entire file up to 2 GB with a single GET or PUT.

SUPERZAP has been around as a mainframe utility from at least the early S/360 days for applying Private Temporary Fixes (PTF's) to operating system code. Today it is called SPZAP or AMASPZAP and is documented in the DFSMS Diagnosis Tools manual. See reference links on the www.superzap.net page.

Don Higgins
don@higgins.net

z390 now supports VSE assembler programs

With the release of z390 v1.3.02b PTF there is a new VSE macro library which maps VSE assembler macros into z390 MVS compatible macro code which can be assembled, linked, and executed on Windows, Linux, or any platform supporting z390 running on J2RE 1.5.0+.

Several demos and regression tests are include to illustrate the use of VSE marcros such as COMRG, GETTIME, CDLOAD, CDDELETE, GETVIS, FREEVIS, OPEN, DTFSD, DTFPR, GET, PUT, CLOSE, and EOF.

Don Higgins
don@higgins.net

SHARE Session 2845 z390 Portable Mainframe Assembler and Emulator

SHARE was held in Tampa Florida during the past week, and I had the opportunity to present a session on the z390 Portable Mainframe Assembler and Emulator. One question from the session was whether z390 could be run on z Series machines using Linux/390. To date z390 has only been fully tested on Windows and Ubuntu Linux 6.06 LTS and J2RE 1.5.0_10. However since Ubuntu Linux and Linux/390 both conform to the new Linux Foundation core standard and since both support the J2RE 1.5 Java code base from Sun Microsystems, I see no reason why z390 should not run on Linux/390. Although it would be slower than native assembler of course, if the process is I/O bound, then speed may not be an issue. The potential benefit is to have assembler application code that is portable across both OS's and hardward platforms.

I attended several other sessions at the SHARE in Tampa and perhaps the most interesting for me was the session on Linux and Open Source by Jim Elliott with IBM Canada. He presented the results of a recent Gartner survey showing server growth statistics for different OS's. Linux growth was up 31%, Windows server growth was up 12%, Unix server growth was up 4% and all other servers were in decline by 22%. It seems to me that there is a clear message here about the future of Linux and other open source tools such as Java, Eclipse, and z390.

z390 Service Oriented Architecture Support

With z390 PTF v1.2.00g new Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) support has been added. A new macro TCPIO and svc x'7c' now support TCP/IP sockets messaging. In addition a new SOA client server application generator macro facility has been added along with a demo application. The demo consists of a main proram and two called subroutines. As a base line, the demo can be assembled, statically linked, and executed. Then the SOAGEN macro facility can be used to generate client and server message managers plus stubs for each called serivce. See the new z390 Service Oriented Architecture User Guide here:

http://www.automatedsoftwaretools.com/z390/z390_Service_Oriented_Architecture_User_Guide.pdf

Don Higgins
don@higgins.net

z390 Supports new Decimal Floating Point (DFP) instructions

The latest PTF update v1.2.00f for the z390 portable mainframe assembler now includes support for 57 new Decimal Floating Point (DFP) instructions. The z390 macro assembler now supports 3 new data types: ED for 7 digits, DD for 16 digits, and LD for 34 digits. These new instructions and data formats plus the z390 extended macros (CTD and CFD) for conversion to and from decimal scientific notation, enable assembler programs to perform decimal arithmetic with the same precision and ease as Excel without those annoying rounding errors that creep in when using hex HFP or binary BFP floating point. For example, the addition of 1.1 + 2.2 equals exactly 3.3 when using the new DFP instructions where as the result is 3.30......03 when using HFP or BFP due to the inexact conversion between base 10 and base 2. The PTF open source for z390 includes the pz390.java emulator code for these new instructions plus new regression test TESTDFP1.MLC with examples of each instruction.

z390 v1.2 now running on Linux as well as Windows

With the release of z390 v1.2 there is now support for running z390 GUI and command line interfaces on Linux as well as Windows XP or 2000. Visit www.390.org for more details.

z390 version 1.2 also has new macro pseudo code generator for 300% improvment in macro intensive macro assembly processing. The macro pseudo code support also includes new
detail TRACEP option which shows value of every macro variable used in AIF, SETA, SETB, and SETC statements executed.

Don Higgins
don@higgins.net