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ANDY · Beginner Joined: 07 Feb 2004 Posts: 127 Topics: 67

Hi:

Does Assembler be widely used MVS ? What's field need Assembler ?

Thanks

Andy

warp5 · Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2004 4:03 am Post subject:

Depends. Some shops still use assembler for their applications, most use a higher level language (like COBOL). System programmers have to have at least basic knowledge of assembler, while many application programmers do not know anything about it.

Dibakar · Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2004 7:41 am Post subject:

I don't see them being used for development projects but many maintenance projects are assembler oriented.

Mike Chantrey · Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2004 10:20 am Post subject:

At our site assembler is mostly only used for exits and system programmer utilities. My general rule is 'only use assembler if there is a good reason why COBOL is unsuitable' since COBOL is generally much more widely understood (at our site) and easier to maintain, and provides you with lots of checks to prevent you doing stupid things. The efficiency gains of assembler are rarely (with odd exceptions) sufficient these days to offset the extra development and maintenance effort.

Brian · Beginner Joined: 12 Aug 2003 Posts: 95 Topics: 6

Assemblers are found more efficient while handling I-O.

Hiren Ladva · Beginner Joined: 10 Feb 2004 Posts: 1 Topics: 0

In our system, Assembler routines are basically used for system related functions like I-O, File Reading, etc. while the application logic is chiefly in higher-level language, i.e. COBOL.
FYI, some of the older assembly routines of the system have been converted to corresponding COBOL routines. So, while theoritically, assembler routines have an edge over the ones coded in higher level languages in terms of efficiency etc., practically it doesn't make a big difference!!!! Confused

Hiren

k_sharma · Posted: Sun Jun 06, 2004 3:20 pm Post subject:

Hi
I think, it all depends upon the application for which u r working. Its not like that, assembler is not at all used.
Still the big credit card and banking comanies, they use assembler programs. Like in these domains, they need very fast online response. So in these case, they use assembler programs normally for online.

Cheers
Sharma