I.

II.

Prerequisite:

See recommendation in Course (Catalog) Description

III.

Course (Catalog) Description:

Course introduces programming using the COBOL programming language to solve business-related problems. Content includes program development and design using arithmetic calculations, decision making, looping, reports, subroutines, data validation and sequential file systems. Recommended: High school algebra, MAT 052 or equivalent skills; CIS 101 and CIS 105 or comparable computer experience.

IV.

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to demonstrate proficiency in the COBOL language by writing programs for a wide variety of business data processing applications.  The programs will be efficiently structured, using the techniques of subroutines and modular design.  Specifically, the types of problems to be solved are:

1. Report listings with headings and totals
2. Multilevel total reports
3. Single and multilevel tables - using subscripting
4. Elementary multifile input reports

The student will be able to process data using both unit record and mass storage devices.  In addition (s)he will be able to explain:

1. The functions and purpose of all the divisions of a COBOL program.
2. The different types of internal data representation and the advantage of each.
3. The relationships of symbolic device assignments within the COBOL program to the operating system being used.

Finally, (s)he will be able to debug problem programs with the aid of the COBOL debugging tools, and prepare complete, comprehensible documentation.

V.

Academic Integrity:

Students and employees at Oakton Community College are required to demonstrate academic integrity and follow Oakton's Code of Academic Conduct. This code prohibits:

There are serious consequences to violations of the academic integrity policy. Oakton's policies and procedures provide students a fair hearing if a complaint is made against you. If you are found to have violated the policy, the minimum penalty is failure on the assignment and, a disciplinary record will be established and kept on file in the office of the Vice President for Student Affairs for a period of 3 years.

Details of the Code of Conduct can be found in the Student Handbook.

VI.

Outline of Topics:

1. Basic composition of a COBOL Program
   1. Structure
       a. Division
       b. Sections
       c. Paragraphs
       d. Sentences
   2. Organization of elements
   3. Purpose of each element
2. Program Design
   1. Structured/modular program design
       a. Building subroutines
       b. Using indicators (flags)
   2. An introduction to linear design
3. Problem Classifications
   1. Creating reports with title lines and page breaks
   2. Data validation
   3. Output editing
   4. Control Breaks - single and multilevel
   5. Table handling - single and multilevel tables using subscripting
   6. Multi input file merging
4. Documentation
   1. Systems flowchart
   2. Program flowchart
   3. Problem definition
   4. Processing information
   5. Input/output layout forms
5. Debugging Techniques
   1. Using debugging statement within the program
   2. Using the COBOL debugging options (CBL statement)
6. Introduction to the Operating System
   1. Relationship of COBOL statements to I/O device assignments
   2. Using the System libraries
   3. Program execution
7. Data Representation and Storage descriptions
   1. Internal date representation
       a. Display format
       b. Computational-3 format
       c. Types of data
           (1) Alpha
           (2) Alphanumeric
           (3) Numeric
           (4) Signed numbers
   2. Data description
       a. Levels of data - 01; 77; 88
       b. Value clause
   3. Storage layout
       a. Group items
       b. Elementary items
       c. Redefines
       d. Occurs
8. Instructions for the Procedure Division
   1. Imperative
       a. Input/output instructions
           (1) open
           (2) close
           (3) read - read into
           (4) write - write from
                (a) advancing option
                (b) positioning option
                (c) invalid - for use with mass storage files
           (5) accept
           (6) display
       b. Arithmetic operations
           (1) add
           (2) subtract
           (3) multiply
           (4) divide
           (5) compute
           (6) 'on size error' clause
           (7) 'rounding' option
       c. Data manipulation
           (1) move - move corresponding
           (2) Inspect - tallying/replacing
       d. Procedure branching
           (1) perform
                (a) perform # times
                (b) perform thru
                (c) perform until
                (d) perform varying
            (2) go to
        e. Debugging
            (1) ready trace
            (2) reset trace
            (3) exhibit
                  (a) named clause
                  (b) changed clause
   2. Conditional - The 'IF' statement
       a. simple 'if'
       b. nested 'if s'
       c. using logical operators
           (1) and
           (2) or
           (3) not 

VII.

Methods of Instruction:

Methods of presentation include lecture and class discussion covering the syntactical rules of COBOL as well as the COBOL instruction set.

VIII.

Course Practices Required:

Designing, coding, testing, and debugging at least 6 programs, using on-line terminals.  Taking quizzes/exams as required by the individual instructor.  Creating at least 3 sets of written documentation.

IX.

Instructional Materials:

TEXTBOOK:  COBOL for the 21st Century; Eleventh Edition; Authors: Stern,
                       Stern, and Ley; Published by John Wiley & Sons

X.

Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:

Evaluation of programming assignments demonstrating typical business oriented problems, evaluation of documentation, and grades on quizzes/exams.

XI.

Other Course Information:

If you have a documented learning, psychological, or physical disability you may be entitled to reasonable academic accommodations or services. To request accommodations or services, contact the ASSIST office in Instructional Support Services. All students are expected to fulfill essential course requirements. The College will not waive any essential skill or requirement of a course or degree program.

Course - ID changed from DPR 123 to CIS 123, Fall 92