Natural Programming

LENGTH OF COURSE:
5 Days

DESCRIPTION: This course will examine Natural commands and the Natural development environment. Students will create Natural programs, reports and maps using the features learned throughout the course. Time will be allocated for structured design, debugging techniques, and structured walk-through process. After completing the course, students will feel comfortable developing an application in the Natural environment.

PREREQUISITES: Prior knowledge of programming concepts and logic is helpful. Some knowledge of Natural programming, CICS/TS and the Operation System (i.e.: OS/390, OS/2) in which the Natural Application will be built is helpful.

INSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES: A combination of Lecture, Demonstrations, and Labs (when/where available).

AUDIENCE

This course is designed for Project Leaders, System Analysts and Programmers that are new to, or require a better understanding of, the Natural programming language. Novice and intermediate level users of Natural benefit most with this overview of Natural's Fourth Generation features and functions.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS:

Introduction to NATURAL
- Fourth Generation Technology
- What Makes NATURAL So Attractive?
- NATURAL vs. COBOL
- Batch vs. Online
Overview of NATURAL
- Overview of NATURAL's features and functions.
  - General Overview and Definitions
  - Statements/Commands
  - System Commands and Terminal Commands: Basic Differences
- Report vs. Structured Mode
- Object Types and Object Editors
- Libraries
- NATURAL Application Development Process
- Operating Environment
- Work Areas/Buffers
- Syntax Symbols
Getting Started and Creating Programs
- The Main Menu and Development Facilities Menu
- Program Editor
  - Discussion of Statements
    - READ
    - DISPLAY
    - END
  - System Commands

Creating Attractive Reports
- Variations on the WRITE and DISPLAY Statements
- Using Session Parameters to Change the Report's Appearance
- Using Closing Statements in Loop-Processing
Creating Data Areas
- DDMs, User Views, Data Areas, and User-Defined Variables
- Using the Program Editor to Create and Maintain Internal LDAs
- Invoking the Data Area Editor for External LDAs and GDAs
Creating Maps
- Overview of Maps
  - Internal vs. External Maps
  - Brief Explanation of Screen and Functions Available
- Invoking the Map Editor

Introduction to Structured Mode
- Comparison of Report and Structured Modes
- Steps to Convert Programs from Report Mode to Structured Mode
- Exiting NATURAL

FROM OUR STUDENT EVALUATIONS...
"The instructor was very knowledgeable about the subject and adapted to the level of the students."

George Garone
Arrow Electronics

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