All
 
Problem #15 has been posted.  Neither #14 or #15 have any solutions posted 
yet.  Visit website for details:
 
http://z390.sourceforge.net/z390_Mainframe_Assemble_Coding_Contest.htm 
 
A friend asked me about the potential application of techniques used in 
the contest problems.  In response here is an initial list of applications 
by category with my first thoughts:
 
1.  Swapping fields (#1,#2) – used in sorting, file buffering

2.  Conversion to display characters (#3,#6,#9,#10) – used in dump, error 
display, or report formatting

3.  Sorting records (#4) – used in preparing for sequential processing and 
reporting

4.  Conversion of display characters to binary (#5) – used in decoding 
input data for processing

5.  Floating point calculations (#7,#8,#12) – used to calculate statistics 
with required precision

6.  Table lookup (#11) – used to access data tables required for processes 
such as validating records

7.  Decimal calculations (#13,#15) – used to calculate currency 
precisely in base 10

8.  Recursive functions (#14) – used in sorting routines such as 
Quicksort, compiling languages
 
Going forward, I’d like to build a list of categories for future 
problems.  My initial list of possible additions include:
 
1.  Boolean logic 

2.  Branch logic

3.  Comparisons

4.  Compression and de-compression (someone just asked me if z390 supports 
CMPSC yet.  The answer was not yet but I did go read the 9 page 
description in the latest POP which includes 3 page diagram)

5.  Encryption and decryption

6.  File access methods

7.  Heuristics

8.  Totally useless just for fun
 
Do you have some categories or specific questions you would like to see 
added.  All feedback welcome.
 
Don Higgins
mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://don.higgins.net

----------------------------------------------------------------------
For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions,
send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO
Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html

Reply via email to