SAULT COLLEGE OF APPLIED ARTS &: TECHNOLOGY

SAULT STE. MARIE, ONTARIO

COURSE OUTLINE

Course Title: INTRODUCTION TO COBOL PROGRAMMING

Code No.: CSD 208

Program: COMPUTER PROGRAMMER / PROGRAMMER ANALYST

Semester: THIRD

Author: F. TURCO

Date: SEPTEMBER 1996

Previous OUtlineDated:

JANUARY 1995----------------------------------------

Approved:Date:~;;(

TOTAL CREDITS: . £; TOTAL CREDIT HOURS: . <do

PREREQUISITES: CSD10l or Equivalent

LENGTH OF COURSE: 4 hours per weekcomprised of:

2 - 1 hour theory classes(ccmbined sections} with Professor1 - 2 hour lab class per section with Professor

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COURSE OUTLINE

I. Course Description:

This course is designed to continue improving the student 'sprogramming skills. We will do this by introducing andapplying their programming and problem solving skills usingthe COBOL programming language. We will also do a comparisonstudy of the similarities with COBOL and the other programminglanguages that students have been exposed to. The studentwill continue to follow and improve structured programmingtechniques. The course will take a relatively non-mathematical approach but will include an in depth study ofprogramming techniques such as modu1arization, file handling,error handling, string handling, table processing, andformatted output.

II. LEARNING OUTCOMES AND ELEMENTS OF PERFORMANCE:

(Generic Skills Learning Outcomes placement on the courseoutline will be determined and communicated at a later date.)

A. Learning OUtcomes:

1. Describe and apply the language fundamentals of theCOBOL environment to solve programming problems.

2. Demonstrate proficiency in using structuredprogramming techniques in problem solving.

3. Write and develop programs that perform File Input,File Output and ERROR handling.

4. Write and develop programs that perform Array andString processing.

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II. LEARNING OUTCOMES AND ELEMENTS OF THE PERFORMANCE (Continued):

B. Learning OUtcomes and Elements of the Performance:

Upon successful completion of this course the studentwill demonstrate the ability to:

1. Describe and apply the language fundamentals of theCOBOL environment to solve programming problems.

Potential elements or tbe perror.mance:

. compare the similarities and differences in bothstructure and commands of COBOL and otherlanguages.

· describe the various sections in a COBOL programsuch as:

The Identification DivisionThe Environment DivisionThe Data DivisionThe Procedure Division

· illustrate the COBOL approach to:Program IdentificationConunentingData DefinitionFile Definition

Assignment of DataLooping ControlDecision Making

· code programs into the proper columns· find and correct errors in compilation and

execution

· demonstrate and use the various methods availablein COBOL to format data

This will constitute approximately 25% of the coursegrade (possible weighting strategy) and takeapproximately 4 weeks.

RESOURCES:

TEXTBOOK: Chapters 1,2,3,4,14Professor's handouts, guidance and material

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II. LEARNING OUTCOMES AND ELEMENTS OF THE PERFORMANCE (Continued):

B. Learning OUtcomes and Elements of thePerformance(Continued):

2. Demonstrate proficiency in using structuredprogramming techniques in problem solving.

Potential elements of the perfor.mance:

. demonstrate good programming habitssolving techniques regardless of thelanguage being useddescribe and use the variousprogramming tools and techniques such

Plan of AttackPseudo CodeInspections and WalkThroughs

and problemprogramming

. structuredas:

· produce modular and structured code usingprogramming features such as:

SubroutinesCommon Blocks of CodeParameter PassingReadable code with proper spacing and

indentation

. produce thorough and useful program documentation

This will constitute approximately 10% of the coursegrade (possible weighting strategy) and takeapproximately 2 weeks.

RESOURCES:

TEXTBOOK: Chapters 5,12,14Professor's handouts, guidance and material

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II. LEARNING OUTCOMES AND ELEMENTS OF THE PERFORMANCE (Continued):

B. Learning OUtcomes and Elements of thePerfor.mance(Continued):

3. Write and develop programs that perform File Input,File Output and ERROR handling.

Potential elements of the performance:

· format input and output using a variety ofPICTURE clauses in COBOL

· describe the differences to the types of filessuch as:

Terminal Format

SequentialRelativeIndexed

· apply the various methods of performing typicalfile maintenance activities when using thevarious types of files such as:

Add data records

Modify recordsDelete records

· produce thorough and useful program documentation

· write and debug programs that deal with fileprocessing and error handling

This will constitute approximately 40% of the coursegrade (possible weighting strategy) and takeapproximately 6 weeks.

RESOURCES:

TEXTBOOK: Chapters 7,8 in detail9,10,11(will be discussed but it willnot be necessary to read inany detail)

Professor's handouts, guidance and material

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II. LEARNING OUTCOMES AND ELEMENTS OF THE PERFORMANCE (Continued):

B. Learning OUtcomes and Elements of thePerformance(Continued):

4. Write and develop programs that perform Array andString processing.

Potential elements of tbe perfor.mance:

. discuss the concept of subscripted variables andthe use of one and two dimensional arrays

. describe the common requirements of programs thatprocess string data

. write programs in COBOL that utilize arrayprocessing and string manipulation

This will constitute approximately 25% of the coursegrade (possible weighting strategy) and takeapproximately 4 weeks.

RESOURCES:

TEXTBOOK: Chapters 6Professor's handouts, guidance and material

III. TOPICS TO BE COVERED:

* NOTE: These topics sometimes overlap several areasof skill development and are not necessarilyintended to be explored in isolated learninguni ts or in the order below.

TOPICS APPROXIMATE TIME

1.2.3.4.

LANGUAGE FUNDAMENTALS

STRUCTURED PROGRAMMING TECHNIQUESFILE INPUT, OUTPUT, AND ERROR HANDLINGARRAY AND STRING HANDLING

4 WEEKS2 WEEKS6 WEEKS4 WEEKS

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IV. REQUIRED RESOURCES/TEXTS/MATERIALS:

TEXTBOOK:

1. "THE REVOLUTIONARY GUIDE TO COBOL"- Yevsei Handel,Boris Degtyar

MATERIALS:

2. At least 5 3.5" high density floppy disks

3. Additional reference material will either be givento the students or placed in the library for thestudent's use.

4. Instructor's Handouts, Guidance, and Material as rtrelates to the individual topics.

5. Individual and Group Assignments to be formallyprepared as assigned.

11. EVALUATION PROCESS/GRADING SYSTEM:

Theory Tests, Practical Tests and QuizzesAssignments

70%30%

The tentative breakdown is as follows:

42

FORMAL THEORY TESTSQUIZZES

AT 15 % EACHAT 5 % EACH

6 ASSIGNMENTS AT 5 % EACH

Some minor modifications to the above percentagesmay be necessary. The instructor reserves theright to adjust the mark up or down 5% based onattendance, participation and whether there is animproving trend.

As per school policy, the student must pass boththe assignment portion and the testing portion ofthe evaluation scheme.

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v. Ev.ALUATION PROCESS/GRADING SYSTEM(Continued):

* -All Assignments must be completed satisfactorily tocomplete this course. Late hand in penalties willbe 5% per day. Assignments will not be acceptedpast one week late unless there are extenuating andlegitimate circumstances.

*The professor reserves the right to adjust thenumber of tests, practical tests and quizzes basedon unforeseen circumstances. The students will begiven sufficient notice to any changes and thereason thereof.

GRADING SCHEME

1. TESTS

Written tests will be conducted as deemed necessary;generally at the end of each block of work. They willbe announced about one week in advance. Quizzes may beconducted without advance warning.

2. ASSIGNMENTS

Assignments not completed by the assigned due-date willbe penalized by 5% per day late. All assignments mustbe completed satisfactorily to complete the course.

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v. EVALUATION PROCESS/GRADING SYSTEM(Continued):

3. GRADING SCHEME

A+ABCRCRSUX

90 - 100%80 - 89%70 - 79%55 - 69%less than 55Credit givenSatisfactoryUnsatisfactoryA temporary grade

Outstanding achievementExcellent achievement

Average AchievementSatisfactory AchievementRepeatCredit Exemptionused at midterm onlyunsatisfactory

An 'X' grade is limited to instances whereexceptional circumstances haveprevented the student fromcompleting objectives by the endof the semester. An X grade mustbe authorised by theChairperson. It reverts to an Rif not upgraded in an agreed-upon time, less than 120days.

4. UPGRADING OF INCOMPLETE

When a student's course work is incomplete or finalgrade is below 55%, there is the possibility ofupgrading to a pass when the student's performancewarrants it. Attendance and assignment completion willhave a bearing on whether upgrading will be allowed. Afailing grade on all tests will remove the option of anyupgrading and an R grade will result. The highest gradeon re-written tests or assignments will be 56%.

Where a student's overall performance has beenconsistently unsatisfactory, an R grade may be assignedwithout the option of make-up work.

The method of upgrading is at the discretion of theteacher and may consist of one or more of the followingoptions: assigned make-up work, re-doing assignments,re-writing of tests, or writing a comprehensivesupplemental examination.

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VI. SPECIAL NOTES:

1. All students should be aware of the Special NeedsOffice in the college. If you have any specialneeds such as being visually impaired, hearingdisabled, physically disabled, learningdisabilities you are encouraged to discuss requiredaccommodations confidentially with the Professorand/or contact the Special Needs Office, RoomE1204, Ext 493, or 717, or 491 so that supportservices can be arranged for you.

2. Your Professor reserves the right to modify thecourse as he/she deems necessary to meet the needsof students.

3. It is the responsibility of the student to retainall course outlines for possible future use ingaining advanced standing at other post-secondaryinstitutions.

4. PlagiarismStudents should refer to the definition of"academic dishonesty" in the "Statement of StudentRights and Responsibilities". Students who engagein "academic dishonesty" will receive an automaticfailure for that submission and/or such otherpenalty, up to and including expulsion from thecourse, as may be decided by the professor.

5. Substitute course information is available at theRegistrar's office.

6. Students must achieve a passing grade in both theassignment and the test portions of the course.

7. The topics will not necessarily be covered in theorder shown in this course outline.

VII. PRIOR LEARNING ASSESSMENT

Students who wish to apply for advanced credit in the courseshould consult the professor.