PROC 0
WRITE Hello, world!.webp){kind=logo}
Ask the right questions to secure the right CLIST talent among an increasingly shrinking pool of talent.
CLIST or Command List is a procedural programming language for IBM's z/OS, z/VSE and z/VM operating systems, which run on IBM mainframes. It is primarily used for system automation tasks, such as file management, output management, and batch job preparation. CLIST provides commands that allow users to manipulate data sets and perform system functions from the terminal. The language supports standard control structures like loops and conditionals. It also allows for user interaction through prompts or command-line arguments. CLIST can call other programs written in languages like COBOL or PL/I and it can be invoked by them as well. Although it has been largely superseded by the more powerful REXX scripting language in most installations, CLIST continues to be used due to its simplicity and ease of learning compared with other mainframe languages.
The next 20 minutes of the interview should attempt to focus more specifically on the development questions used, and the level of depth and skill the engineer possesses.
There are two types of variables in CLIST: simple variables and compound variables.
A simple CLIST program can be written as follows: PROC 0, WRITE Hello, World!
CLIST is a simpler language with less functionality compared to REXX. REXX is a more powerful and complex language that supports functions and subroutines, which CLIST does not.
The basic components of a CLIST program are the header statement, procedural statements, and control statements.
A CLIST (Command List) is a procedural language for writing command procedures in IBM's Time Sharing Option (TSO).
The technology field is constantly evolving, so it's important for developers to be willing to keep learning and improving.
This is important as developers often need to meet tight deadlines and handle multiple tasks.
Experience with other technologies can be beneficial as it shows the candidate's ability to learn and adapt.
Communication skills are important for understanding project requirements and collaborating with team members.
Problem-solving skills are essential for developers as they often need to find solutions to complex programming issues.
This is crucial as the role is for a CLIST developer, so they need to have a strong foundation in CLIST programming.
The next 20 minutes of the interview should attempt to focus more specifically on the development questions used, and the level of depth and skill the engineer possesses.
The different types of procedural statements in CLIST are: PROC, PARM, SET, WRITE, and EXEC.
An IF statement in a CLIST program can be used as follows: IF (&VAR = 'YES') THEN WRITE 'You said yes'.
The different types of control statements in CLIST are: IF, THEN, ELSE, DO, END, GOTO, and EXIT.
A simple variable in CLIST holds a single value, while a compound variable can hold multiple values.
Variables in a CLIST program can be used by declaring them with the SET command and then using them in the program with the & symbol.
At this stage, a skilled CLIST engineer should exhibit strong coding proficiency, a deep understanding of IBM mainframe systems as well as excellent problem-solving abilities. Red flags may include difficulty explaining complex concepts simply or inability to demonstrate hands-on experience with scripting questions.
PROC 0
WRITE Hello, world!PROC 1 VAR
IF (&VAR = '') THEN
WRITE No input provided
ELSE
WRITE &VAR
EXITPROC 0
SET &LIST = (1 2 3 4 5)
DO &I = 1 TO 5
WRITE &I
ENDDOPROC 0
SET &VAR1 = 'Hello'
SET &VAR2 = 'World'
EXEC CICS SEND TEXT FROM(&VAR1 &VAR2)PROC 0
SET &OBJ = NEW 'MyClass'
CALL 'MyMethod' USING &OBJPROC 0
SET &VAR = 'Hello'
SET &VAR = TRANSLATE(&VAR,'ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ','abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz')
WRITE &VARThe final few interview questions for a CLIST candidate should typically focus on a combination of technical skills, personal goals, growth potential, team dynamics, and company culture.
A SET command is used to assign a value to a variable, while a GET command is used to retrieve a value from a variable.
A SET command in a CLIST program can be used to assign a value to a variable. For example: SET VAR = 'YES'.
The different types of data manipulation commands in CLIST are: SET, GET, PUT, and READ.
A PROC statement is used to define the start of the procedure and to declare any parameters, while a PARM statement is used to pass parameters to a procedure.
A PROC statement in a CLIST program can be used to define the start of the procedure and to declare any parameters. For example: PROC 1 VAR.
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