Re: Mainframe - COBOL, DB2, IMS Etc.

  • From: Alex Midence <alex.midence@xxxxxxxxx>
  • To: programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
  • Date: Mon, 11 Oct 2010 22:02:39 -0500

It looks really really good.  Several postings I have found here in my
area are very keen on the Microsoft certifications.  I'm planning to
try and get one myself in the future.  Trouble is, I went off and
started learning c++ and I am determined to see it through to the end
before I tackle another language.  If you have the resources for such
a course it sounds really good.  I know that the developers at my
company develop web-based applications in asp.net c# and javascript.
Web-based applications are big right now in the business sector.
especially in customer service because they are easy to learn for
people who have never used applications at work before. That usually
means asp.net and related languages if the company is microsoft based.
 Mine is to the point that they use SharePoint for the content
management software.  The company I was at before though seemed to
favor jsp type applications which I believe are java enterprise
applications.  If you are sun certified, you probably got a nice leg
up already for that sort of thing.  I know very little about Java at
this point.  There are those on this list who do know quite a bit and
hopefully we will hear from them soon.  YOu should probably go ahead
and download Eclipse and begin monkeying with it on your own.  It's
free after all.  It's very accessible but has a bit of a learning
curve at first.  You might also want to look at making sure you know
the Java swt classes since they seem to make the most accessible
applications from what I have read.  I've focused my posts on business
applications since that must be your primary background.  Right now,
web-based apps seem the way to go for large companies so, if you want
something that will give you a similar clientell and help you occupy a
similar niche to that which you were probably in about a decade and  a
half ago, that's probably the way to go.  You'll definitely want to
add some open source languages to your portfolio though.  Python,
perl, php and MySql are also very important right now.  Out of
curiosity, what type of development environment does a blind person
use on a main frame?  closest I've gotten to mucking about with one
was at University where I would dial into one running vacs vms.  I'd
use a dos-based probram on my pc with a modem communications client to
log onto the shell account.  Never did much with it.  I then
discovered unix, you see and I loved it so I'd dial into the
unix-based system from there on out.

Regards,
Alex M



On 10/11/10, Aran A <aran351@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> Alex, thank you very much!
>
> More than 3 years ago, I took and I was certified in Sun Certified Java
> Programmer (SCJP), but, after I was certified, I did not think that I was
> capable of writing anything more than very simple Java programs.
>
> I thought that the following course probably can help me with achieving
> employment as a >Net programmer, specially with the internship at the end:
>
> Microsoft Certified Professional Developer
>
>
> Program Description: The training is designed to educate the individual in
> computer programming and prepare the individual to work as a programmer at a
> business that has a computer network. The course is divided into three
> training modules: an introduction to programming; the .Net programming
> environment; development; followed by an internship.
> The first module combines an introduction to the Eclipse development
> environment and the Java programming language. The second module focuses on
> the .Net programming environment. Languages and environments taught include
> C sharp, XML, SQL, Visual Studio, SOAP, and WCF. The third module is a
> follow up to the academic instruction. Individuals work on development
> projects which serve to pull the diverse elements of the programming courses
> into a cohesive understanding of programming. Successful completion of the
> course will result in five Microsoft certifications: four Microsoft
> Certified Technology Specialists (MCTS) and one MCPD.
>
>
> What do you think?
>
>
>
> Other responses, and opinions are welcome!
>
>
>
> Regards,
>
>                Aran
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Alex Midence" <alex.midence@xxxxxxxxx>
> To: <programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Monday, October 11, 2010 6:01 PM
> Subject: Re: Mainframe - COBOL, DB2, IMS Etc.
>
>
>> Hi,
>>
>> Everything I have read so far has Java as the number 1 most popular
>> language to learn because it is object-oriented and multiplatform.  I
>> am sure those on the list who are actively programming right now can
>> give you more experience-based answers but I've been exploring this as
>> a potential field for the last few months and doing a lot of research
>> on the best directions in which to go.  So far, it appears that Java
>> is a must-know for anyone with c# and other .net languages right on
>> its heals like VB and asp.  If you are going to do web development,
>> then php, javascript, and either python or perl are what you need to
>> learn.
>>
>> Try doing a search on Craigslist in your area using keywords like
>> developer, java, .net, c# web developer senior developer ETC.  That
>> will give you an idea of what might be out there in your area.  And,
>> of course, there is always c++ which never goes out of style and is
>> probably used on some of the main frames you have used.
>>
>> Sorry to hear about your job.  I hope you find something else soon.
>>
>> Alex M
>> Ps.  Here's an interesting link you might find helpful:
>>
>> http://regulargeek.com/2009/02/11/what-programming-language-should-i-learn/
>>
>> On 10/11/10, Aran A <aran351@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>>>
>>> Hello,
>>>
>>> In the last 23 years I worked as a mainframe programmer (COBOL, DB2, IMS,
>>> EASYTRIEVE, IBM Utilities etc.).
>>>
>>> Due to a merger, and many jobs outsourced to India, I was laid off.
>>>
>>> My question to all of you who are employed as a mainframe programmer, or
>>> was
>>> employed in recently as a mainframe programmer.
>>>
>>> Do you know, or believe that there is a future for a blind mainframe
>>> programmer in the current employment market, or mainframe programming is
>>> behind us.
>>>
>>> I must make up my mind either to continue pursuing a mainframe
>>> programming
>>> position in the Charlotte, North Carolina area, or better upgrade my
>>> skill
>>> sets, and learn Microsoft SQL Server, and .NET languages.
>>>
>>> Any opinion and advice that you may provide me, will be greatly
>>> appreciated!
>>>
>>> Thank you very much!
>>>
>>> Regards,
>>>            Aran
>>>
>>> P.S. If I decided to upgrade my skills, I am interested in learning
>>> languages that will increase my chance to be hired as a programmer.  If
>>> you
>>> believe that there are better languages than the .NET and Microsoft SQL
>>> Server, and you know of a place where I can learn those languages, please
>>> let me know.
>>>
>>> Thanks!
>>>
>>>
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