Tutorials: Open PL/I

Includes tutorials that teach you the basics of how to use the Visual Studio IDE to create and debug your first "Hello PL/I World" application, how to develop a basic Open PL/I application, how to compile, link, and debug a CICS application, and how to access WebSphere MQ features from PL/I programs.

Assumptions

These tutorials are written from the perspective that all of the following is true. If you require specific instructions for any of these items, see the Before you begin a tutorial section that follows:

  • Windows File Explorer is set to show file names and extensions.
  • You have installed the latest version of Enterprise Developer for Visual Studio 2022 on your local machine using default installation settings.
  • Visual Studio is started on your local machine.
  • Your parent project directory is c:\tutorials\PLI. If you choose to use an alternative parent project directory, adjust the instructions accordingly.
  • For Tutorial: Compiling, Linking, and Debugging a CICS-based Open PL/I Application only, all instructions regarding use of a TN3270 emulator assume that you are using Host Access for the Cloud. If you are using an alternative emulator, adjust the instructions as required to accommodate your software.
  • For Tutorial: Compiling, Linking, and Debugging a CICS-based Open PL/I Application only, you have started the HACloud session server. For instructions on how to do this, see Starting the HACloud Session Server.
  • You have addressed all of the items in the Before you begin a tutorial section below.

Before you begin a tutorial

Enterprise Server Security
In this release, the Enterprise Server security features are enabled by default. Tutorials that use enterprise server regions, however, assume that Enterprise Server security is not configured. To work though this tutorial unchanged, you need to disable any configured Enterprise Server security. See To Disable the Default Enterprise Server Security Configuration for details.
Important: Micro Focus does not recommend disabling the security permanently. Re-enable it as soon as possible after completing tutorials. See To Recreate the Default Enterprise Server Security Configuration. For more information, see also After Installing > Enterprise Server Security Considerations.
Set Windows File Explorer options
These tutorials assume that your Windows File Explorer options are set to use the Details layout, and to show file name extensions. See your Windows documentation for more information.
Create a parent project directory
Create a working directory in which to store the projects and other files created or required for this series of tutorials. All tutorials in this set cite a parent project directory of c:\tutorials\PLI.
Start Visual Studio
If you need instructions to get Visual Studio started on your local machine, see To start Visual Studio.
Note: If Visual Studio prompts you on startup to select an initial action, click Continue without code.

Sequence

You may do these Open PL/I tutorials in any order. They are not interdependent.