It may be heresy here on the Assembler list, but if you already know COBOL on z/OS and have access to compile COBOL programs and view the output listings, you may be able to ease your way into Assembler as many of the old-timers here have done.
The COBOL compiler will, on request via a compiler option, list the assembler instructions that it generates for each COBOL verb you write. If you take a program you know well and compile it with the options NOOPT and LIST, you will see an un-optimized assembler listing of the generated program. I suggest using the NOOPT flavor first as it usually generates much more redundant, straightforward code that doesn't do things like hoist performed code to the place where it is performed or remember values in registers and other optimization tricks that could seriously confuse an assembler novice. The other prerequisite to learning assembler is understanding the basic architecture of the machine. For this knowledge you will eventually need to read at least parts of the z/Architecture Principles of Operations manual (available on the IBM website). This is a very large and imposing manual that can seem overwhelming at first (and still is even when you are an "expert"). Chapters 1 through 6 would enable you to gain a serious understanding of the z/Architecture machines, but they do contain very dense material to absorb all at once. Alternatively, you can use chapter 7 in conjunction with reviewing the COBOL listing output I mentioned above to see what each instruction does. This may provide a simpler introduction for you. As others have posted, you may also try to obtain a copy of the Cannatello book (now out of print and only available at really outrageous prices), or you can check out the assembler books listed on planetmvs.com and try to obtain one or more of those books: http://planetmvs.com/hlasm/s390faq.html#books http://planetmvs.com/hlasm/books.html HTH Peter > -----Original Message----- > From: IBM Mainframe Assembler List [mailto:ASSEMBLER- > [email protected]] On Behalf Of Sudheen P M > Sent: Friday, March 16, 2012 11:18 AM > To: [email protected] > Subject: Assembler info needed > > Hi All, > > I am new to assembler on z/OS.I have tried to google for a starting point > to > learn assembler,but unfortunately I am not able to get one.Only thing that > I > keep hitting are some user/reference guides and some presentations. > > Could I request you to provide me some pointers to docs which are good > starting point for me. > > Thanks in advance > Sudheen -- This message and any attachments are intended only for the use of the addressee and may contain information that is privileged and confidential. If the reader of the message is not the intended recipient or an authorized representative of the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by e-mail and delete the message and any attachments from your system.
