VSAM on CV/Resume

Bill Woodger · Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2011 6:51 pm

This is a question for anyone who has put VSAM on their CV. If you don't know a good bit about VSAM, consider taking it off the "highlights" of your CV and just mentioning that you have used it in the body. Otherwise....

I'm an interviewer. The job is for CICS/Batch/Cobol.

I (with colleagues) have reduced the 150+ CVs to five for interview (first we divide up the pile and "sweep" for obvious dross, then we divide and "grade" (definite interview, possible, no) and compare notes, then create a combined "top 10" then get that down into sequence and offer interviews. (You might not like interviews particularly, but if you think about the "other side" you might realise that someone has put a lot of effort into it already, before you turn up at the wrong building).

From those five we have a shot at finding the "best" one. How to go about that?

One has put "VSAM" on their CV.

The point in asking about it (in my experience application programmers know little or nothing about VSAM other than how to access it from a program, delete/define one and LISTCAT it) is with the expectation that they end up having to admit knowing nothing about it, so I can ask what else there is I can't rely upon in their CV. Brutal, but I'm doing it for a reason, to find out which of these five is likely to work best in my team.

It is not that there are especially "right" answers to this, but there can be wrong ones. A "good" answer still doesn't have to be directly related to the solution aparently sought. If they don't actually know how to do it in specifics, I want to know how they're going to go about finding out.

Also the answers don't require deep knowledge from a Sysprog or a "Storage" techie.

Scenario:

We have "online" and "batch" systems. The batch is getting near to encroaching on the online start-up time. We have about a week before we are out of time (we took over a company, and to reflect their data we had to triple-up on the data/client ratio for the take-on (last minute discovery) and that has messed-up the planning). Our part in trying to reduce the strain is the Accounting System, last thing to run before CICS. Other teams are dealing with the other systems. We have a huge KSDS, normal type of accounting structures. We don't have time for programming changes, but we know the KSDS is giving us a "problem" and have collected information about it. The "designer" of the system/file left the company under a cloud after he locked himself in a stationery-cupboard for four hours, even though he had his mobile phone with him.

It is 9am on your first day here. Discuss.

Of course, if it wasn't VSAM it was something else. Don't just put it on your CV because you can spell it. If you do put it on, spell it correctly.

daveporcelan · Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2011 7:03 pm

I hate to ask but what is CV?

From the context (lots of it) of the post, is it a Resume?

Would I put VSAM on my Resume? No.

I have and can work with VSAM files, but it does not seem like a 'skill' to list.

Bill Woodger · Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2011 7:13 pm

Sorry Dave (and others). Curriculum Vitae (no, I dind't spellcheck it) is a Resume. Dang, can't get that correct accent on the "e". You had the same problem Dave?

I suppose I have to ask - how do you pronounce it? I'd do it the French way (double entendre intended). Suppose if could be "rezume"? After all, what is see-ay-see-ess all about? Just for kicks?

dick scherrer · Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2011 7:15 pm

Hi Dave,

CV = Curriculum Vitae

Not ued so much in the US.

Try here:
jobsearch.about.com/od/curriculumvitae/a/curriculumvitae.htm

d

daveporcelan · Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2011 7:21 pm

Bill Woodger · Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2011 7:29 pm

just checked on my own CV.... er Resume...

At least I'd feel up to answering questions on it :-)

Hello Dick,

Any chance of an "assist" with the continuing title problem I have created :-)

Thanks in advance. Just realised that is what TIA means :-)

Bill O'Boyle · Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2011 7:37 pm

Akatsukami · Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2011 8:10 pm

Bill O'Boyle · Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2011 8:34 pm

I think it's Latin....

Mr. Bill

Bill Woodger · Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2011 9:13 pm

Thanks Akatsukami, that oné is good.

GlobalGyan · New User Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 28

Just wondering about the answer to the situation.. could the "problem" be resolved by:
1. Checking for those buffers parameters to have the Batch run a bit faster?
2. reading the VSAM Demystified and check for the best CI size, splits or define the VSAM better?
3. The data from the take over company - do we need all the data? Is there any SEQ=> VSAM loads and are these data being used somewhere...

Bill Woodger · Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 12:17 am

I like the suggestions, especially number 3.

It's like the Old Joke.

Man: Doctor, Doctor, it hurts when I do this!
Doctor: Well, don't do that then!

If we stick all the data in, the system won't run!
Don't stick all the data in, then!

That's a "contingency". and it is always useful to have one (at least one). "We have to make it on time. But if we can't, this is what we're going to do...". Kick it upstairs as well, so users/management can start thinking about the consequences. They may be aware of a "showstopper" on what is suggested, but have been inspired to think of other ways out.

The problem with this "semi-invented" KSDS is that parts of the file have low insertion activity (private clients, specific company numbers) parts have medium insertion activity (institutional clients, other specific company numbers) and parts have high insertion activity (the "house accounts", the "other side" of the accounting entries).

How to apply your 2) to this?

Robert Sample · Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 1:27 am

Bill, that reminds me of an applicant, a long long time ago, who told the data center director (where I was working at the time) that he had experience with "COBALT". After finding out for sure the applicant meant "COBOL", the interview was over.

Bill O'Boyle · Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 1:32 am

Robert,

Many years ago, I was asked by a recruiter if I knew "COBALT". With that, I asked this young lady where she used to work and she said "Home Depot".

After disclosing this, I told her to tell her Boss that if I ever wanted to get the "Screws", I'd know who to call....

Mr. Bill

Bill Woodger · Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 2:51 am

Seems like more than one person failed Chem, through trying to use a couple of MOVE statements to test for water.

About 10 months ago I saw a job-ad which, amongst other skills, wanted mandatory experience of IEFBR14. The guy being replaced must have written the job-spec, got it past a non-technical manager (probably in HR) and on to the recruiters. (I'm working on re-writing IEFBR14 in Cobol. Just about got the code in place, so nearly ready for testing...).

Saw another one which had as the last skill, Also DB. Which I took to be a misunderstanding of DB2.

Akatsukami · Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 3:25 am

My company once got a résumé from a chap claiming to know PL/2. Definitely ahead of his time!

xknight · Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2012 4:05 pm

Bill & Akatsukami

Good one & hilarious

PeterHolland · Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2012 4:34 pm

What is wrong asking about COBALT experience ?

playcobalt.com/

Robert Sample · Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2012 6:33 pm

Nothing, Peter, except ... the position the person applied for was a COBOL programmer position.

Phrzby Phil · Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2012 6:47 pm

I think it was going to be PL/II.