UNIVERSITY OF QUEBEC AT CHICOUTIMI
COMPUTER SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT
DATA FILE STRUCTURES
(8TRD114)
Professor : Paul Lalancette
Semester: Winter 2005
SYLLABUS
1.
Overview
Students will become familiar with concepts pertaining to logical and
physical file structures by learning and using a commercial
programming language. They will also become acquainted with
language - file - operating system compatibility and be introduced to
Codasyl network-type database accesses.
Overview of fast storage data structures. Relationship between a
classic data structure stored on memory and a data structure stored in
a file. Characteristics of classical file organization (sequential,
relative, indexed, etc.) and the various access modes available
(sequential, direct). Physical support justification and compatibility
(for ex.: disk, CD, cassette, magnetic tape etc.) with regards to file
organization methods. Description of transfer mechanisms used to
transfer information from peripherals to primary and secondary
memories. Physical and logical organization of files. Justification of
physical reorganization at regular intervals. Physical and logical
recording concepts and blocking factor pertaining to programs and
operating systems. Restrictions on file organization with regards to
programming languages (For ex.: Cobol, C, VB, etc.) and operating
systems (for ex.: Unix, VMS).
Cobol language and file management principles. File opening methods
and access functions such as: read, write, rewrite and suppression of
files. Justification and use of master and temporary files. Modelling,
design and implementation of an application using the following types
of organizations: indexed, relative and sequential. File management
utilities. Examples of files used as communications interfaces to link
incompatible applications. Introduction to network databases and the
use of DML via Cobol.
2.
General Objective
At the end of the semester, students will be able to program in Cobol –
interface software based on a traditional file approach or network-type
database. Moreover, students will be able to determine which type of
structure should be used to retain data in a given organization.
3.
Specific Objectives
 Acquire knowledge pertaining to classical file management
methods.
 Learn how to use the Cobol language.
 Learn general knowledge related to network-type database
management systems modelling and usage.
 Understand DML language manipulation instructions.
4.
Teaching Strategies
Teaching strategies include lectures, tutorials and a few computer
demonstrations that will be presented during a specific class.
5.
Content
Basic Cobol language instructions. Organization of sequential, relative
and indexed files. The different types of information access functions.
File operations. Organization of information on data mediums.
Network-type database management systems modelling. Networktype database manipulation language.
5.1 Introduction
 The reasons why files exist
 The different types of files
5.2 Programming Environment
 Cobol on VAX platform
 Structure of a Cobol on VAX program
5.3 The Cobol Language
 Variables
 Integers
 Real
 Characters
 Boolean
 Constants
 Recordings
 Arrays
 Control instructions
 Comments
 Assignments
 Types of command operations
 Sequence
 Repetition
 Selection
 Procedure writing
5.4 Sequential Files
 Sequential files
 How to use sequence files in Cobol
5.5 Printing
 Output reports
5.6 Data Model Visualisation
 Interface elements
 Menus
 Editing elements (“PICTURE”)
5.7 Information Storage
 Files
 Disks
 VMS functions and commands
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Directories and disks
Disk unit list
Directory list
File list
VMS operating system
Transferring data from one platform to another
5.8 Indexed-Sequential Files
 Indexed-sequential files
 How to use indexed-sequential files in Cobol
5.9 Direct Access Files
 Understanding direct access files
 How to use direct access files in Cobol
5.10 Internal Workings
 Memory organization
 File management system
5.11 Codasyl Network Model
 Entity-relation model description and representation
 Understanding of VMS’s DBMS network
- DDL (diagram, area, record, item, set)
- DML (creation, modification, location, selection)
 Introduction to Cobol – DML
6.
Mandatory Material
 Materials required will be confirmed in class.
 An account on Vax VMENS2
7. Grading & Evaluation
Assignments:
Mid-term exam:
Final exam:
30%
30%
40%
N.B. Passing mark is 60%. Minimum passing mark for exams is 50%.
8.
References
Claviez, J., Langage de programmation Cobol: Ansi 74 à 85 + Cobol
Langage de programmation: Ansi 74 à 85: faire face au défi de l’an
2000 pour l’informatique de gestion, Édition J.C.I., 1997.
Folk, M., Zoellick, B., File Structures, Addison-Wesley, 1992.
Gabrini, P., Informatique de gestion en Cobol structuré, Inforum Inc.,
1982.
Lamontagne, C., Cobol: du PC au mainframe, Édition Loze-Dion, 1998.
Magnenat-Thalman, N., Thalman, D., Cobol: une approche structurée à
la résolution de problèmes, Édition G. Morin, 1981.
Micro Focus, Visual Object Cobol V 1.0 for Windows 95/NT, Academic
Grant Program, 1996.
Miller, N., File Structures Using Pascal, Benjamin/Cummings
Publishing, 1987.
Murach, M., Structured Cobol, Science Research Associates, 1980.
Newcomer, L., Série SCHAUM, Programmation en Cobol structuré,
McGraw-Hill, 1990.
Philippakis, A., & Kazmier, L.J., Structured Cobol, McGraw-Hill, 1986.
Silverio, Nino, Programmer en Cobol ANS 85, Éditions Eyrolles, 1995.
Stern N., Stern R., Structured Cobol Programming, John Wiley
Publishing, 1980.
Welburn, T., Price, W., Structured Cobol 74/85, Fundamentals and
Style, Mcgraw-Hill, 1990.
Yourdon, E., Sarson, T., Lister, T., Gane, C., Learning to Program in
Structured Cobol: Parts 1 and 2, Prentice-Hall, 1979.