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:don@...

http://don.higgins.net